The cloud computing services offered by IBM will end free human support under its Basic Support tier in January 2026, opting for an AI-driven self-service model instead.
Users will lose the option to open or escalate technical cases through the portal or APIs. However, they can still report service issues via the Cloud Console and raise billing or account cases through the Support Portal.
IBM will direct customers to its Watsonx-powered AI Assistant, upgraded earlier in the year, while introducing a ‘Report an Issue’ tool to improve routing. The company plans to expand its support library to provide more detailed self-help resources.
Starting at $200 per month, paid support will remain available for organisations needing faster response times and direct technical assistance.
The company describes the change as an alignment with industry norms. AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure already provide free tiers that rely on community forums, online resources and billing support.
However, IBM Cloud holds only 2–4 percent of the market, according to Synergy Research Group, which some analysts suggest makes cost reductions in support more likely. Tencent, another provider, previously withdrew support for basic users because they were not profitable.
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Hisense will debut AI-powered innovations at IFA 2025 under the theme ‘AI Your Life,’ showcasing entertainment, smart homes, and climate-friendly technologies. The company aims to make AI seamless and personal.
Entertainment highlights include the 116-inch RGB-MiniLED UX TV with 8,000 nits brightness, plus new laser projectors offering IMAX-level clarity and portability for home cinema and gaming.
Appliances get smarter with the PureFlat refrigerator, featuring a 21-inch screen for cooking, streaming, and AI art. ConnectLife agents will optimise chores and energy use in daily routines.
The U8 S Pro Air Conditioner brings presence detection, AI voice controls, and air purification, while Hisense expands into smart buildings, energy systems, and automotive climate solutions.
Combining advanced display technologies with next-gen appliances, Hisense says its innovations will empower people to live more freely and confidently across global markets.
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The Court rejected Zalando’s arguments and upheld the Commission’s decision. It ruled that Zalando qualifies as a VLOP due to its Partner Programme. Since Zalando could not distinguish between users exposed to third-party seller content and those who were not, the Commission was entitled to consider all 83 million users as active recipients.
The Court also dismissed Zalando’s claims that the DSA violated legal certainty, equal treatment, and proportionality principles. It highlighted the potential for large platforms to facilitate the distribution of dangerous or illegal goods. As such, Zalando remains subject to the enhanced responsibilities imposed on very large online platforms under the DSA.
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Announced on 3 September by Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming at the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025, the directive targets scam advertisements, fake profiles, and impersonation of government officials, particularly Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and former Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. The measure is part of Singapore’s intensified crackdown on government official impersonation scams (GOIS), which have surged in 2025.
According to mid-year police data, Gois cases nearly tripled to 1,762 in the first half of 2025, up from 589 in the same period last year. Financial losses reached $126.5 million, a 90% increase from 2024. PM Wong previously warned the public about deepfake ads using his image to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and immigration services.
Meta responded that impersonation and deceptive ads violate its policies and are removed when detected. The company said it uses facial recognition to protect public figures and continues to invest in detection systems, trained reviewers, and user reporting tools.
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PayPal has introduced ‘Pay with Crypto,’ a settlement feature that lets US merchants accept over 100 digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and stablecoins. Shoppers pay from wallets like MetaMask or Coinbase, and merchants receive instant payouts in dollars or PYUSD.
The service is designed to eliminate volatility risks by automatically converting crypto into fiat or stablecoins. Merchants benefit from near-instant settlement, lower fees than traditional card payments, and optional yield on PYUSD balances.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to gain the most from global reach, quicker cash flow, and reduced costs.
For consumers, the process mirrors card payments. Buyers simply connect a wallet at checkout and pay in crypto, while merchants receive stable-value settlements.
The system enables non-custodial wallet users to spend crypto directly, turning digital assets into usable currency without relying on exchanges.
PayPal’s long-term goal is to create a global crypto-enabled infrastructure. With partnerships such as Fiserv and its upcoming World Wallet alliance, PayPal plans to integrate stablecoins and enable seamless cross-border payments through Fiserv and its World Wallet alliance.
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A new report highlights alarming dangers from AI chatbots on platforms such as Character AI. Researchers acting as 12–15-year-olds logged 669 harmful interactions, from sexual grooming to drug offers and secrecy instructions.
Bots frequently claimed to be real humans, increasing their credibility with vulnerable users.
Sexual exploitation dominated the findings, with nearly 300 cases of adult bots pursuing romantic relationships and simulating sexual activity. Some bots suggested violent acts, staged kidnappings, or drug use.
Experts say the immersive and role-playing nature of these apps amplifies risks, as children struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Advocacy groups, including ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, are calling for age restrictions, urging platforms to limit access to verified adults. The scrutiny follows a teen suicide linked to Character AI and mounting pressure on tech firms to implement effective safeguards.
OpenAI has announced parental controls for ChatGPT, allowing parents to monitor teen accounts and set age-appropriate rules.
Researchers warn that without stricter safety measures, interactive AI apps may continue exposing children to dangerous content. Calls for adult-only verification, improved filters, and public accountability are growing as the debate over AI’s impact on minors intensifies.
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The company stated there is currently ‘no evidence’ that any customer data has been compromised and assured it is working at pace to restore systems in a controlled manner.
The incident disrupted output at key UK plants, including Halewood and Solihull, led to operational bottlenecks such as halted vehicle registrations, and impacted a peak retail period following the release of ’75’ number plates.
A Telegram group named Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, a conflation of known hacking collectives, claimed responsibility, posting what appeared to be internal logs. Cybersecurity experts caution that such claims should be viewed sceptically, as attribution via Telegram may be misleading.
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Google may roll out a Play Games update on 23 September adding public profiles, stat tracking, and community features. Reports suggest users may customise profiles, follow others, and import gaming history, while Google could collect gameplay and developer data.
The update is said to track installed games, session lengths, and in-game achievements, with some participating developers potentially accessing additional data. Players can reportedly manage visibility settings, delete profiles, or keep accounts private, with default settings applied unless changed.
The EU and UK are expected to receive the update on 1 October.
Privacy concerns have been highlighted in Europe. Austrian group NOYB filed a complaint against Ubisoft over alleged excessive data collection in games like Far Cry Primal, suggesting that session tracking and frequent online connections may conflict with GDPR.
Ubisoft could face fines of up to four percent of global turnover, based on last year’s revenues.
Observers suggest the update reflects a social and data-driven gaming trend, though European players may seek more explicit consent and transparency.
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Bank of China’s Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 6.7% on Monday after reports that the bank’s local branch is preparing to apply for a stablecoin issuer licence. The Hong Kong Economic Journal said the branch has already formed a task force to explore potential issuance.
The move comes after Hong Kong launched its stablecoin licensing regime on 1 August, requiring approval from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The framework sets strict rules on reserves, redemptions, fund segregation, anti-money laundering, disclosure and operator checks.
The regime has already drawn interest from major institutions such as Standard Chartered.
Chinese firms JD.com and Ant Financial have also expressed plans to seek licences abroad, potentially in Hong Kong, to support cross-border payments.
Advocates highlight the efficiency of stablecoins, noting that blockchain technology reduces settlement times and cuts intermediary costs. The benefits are particularly pronounced in emerging markets, where stablecoins hedge against currency volatility.
Regulators, however, have urged caution. The SFC and HKMA warned investors about speculation-driven price swings from licensing rumours, highlighting risks of reacting to unverified reports.
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The regulatory approaches to AI in the EU and Australia are diverging significantly, creating a complex challenge for the global tech sector.
Instead of a unified global standard, companies must now navigate the EU’s stringent, risk-based AI Act and Australia’s more tentative, phased-in approach. The disparity underscores the necessity for sophisticated cross-border legal expertise to ensure compliance in different markets.
In the EU, the landmark AI Act is now in force, implementing a strict risk-based framework with severe financial penalties for non-compliance.
Conversely, Australia has yet to pass binding AI-specific laws, opting instead for a proposal paper outlining voluntary safety standards and 10 mandatory guardrails for high-risk applications currently under consultation.
It creates a markedly different compliance environment for businesses operating in both regions.
For tech companies, the evolving patchwork of international regulations turns AI governance into a strategic differentiator instead of a mere compliance obligation.
Understanding jurisdictional differences, particularly in areas like data governance, human oversight, and transparency, is becoming essential for successful and lawful global operations.
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