Economic

Meta may bring Reels to the big screen with Instagram TV

Instagram is reportedly exploring plans to launch a dedicated TV app aimed at expanding its video reach across larger screens.

The move was revealed by CEO Adam Mosseri at the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles, where he said that as consumption behaviour shifts toward TV, Instagram must follow.

Mosseri clarified that there’s no official launch yet, but that the company is actively considering how to present Instagram content, especially Reels, on TV devices in a compelling way.

He also ruled out plans to license live sports or Hollywood content for the TV app, emphasising Instagram would carry over its existing focus on short-form and vertical video rather than pivoting fully into full-length entertainment.

The proposed TV app would deepen Instagram’s stake in the video space and help it compete more directly with YouTube, TikTok and other video platforms, especially as users increasingly watch video content in living rooms.

However, translating vertical video formats like Reels to a horizontal, large-screen environment poses design, UX and monetisation challenges.

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Google faces UK action over market dominance

Google faces new regulatory scrutiny in the UK after the competition watchdog designated it with strategic market status under a new digital markets law. The ruling could change how users select search engines and how Google ranks online content.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Google controls more than 90 percent of UK searches, giving it a position of unmatched influence. The designation enables the regulator to propose targeted measures to ensure fair competition, with consultations expected later in 2025.

Google argued that tighter restrictions could slow innovation, claiming its search tools contributed £118 billion to the UK economy in 2023. The company warned that new rules might hinder product development during rapid AI advancement.

The move adds to global scrutiny of the tech giant, which faces significant fines and court cases in the US and EU over advertising and app store practices. The CMA’s decision marks the first important use of its new powers to regulate digital platforms with strategic control.

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Fake VPN app drains bank accounts across Europe

Cybersecurity experts are urging Android users to uninstall a fake VPN app capable of stealing banking details and draining accounts. The malware, hidden inside a Mobdro Pro IPTV + VPN app, has already infected more than 3,000 devices across Europe.

The app promises free access to films and live sports, but installs Klopatra, a sophisticated malware designed to gain complete control of a device. Once downloaded, it tricks users into granting access through Android’s Accessibility Services, enabling attackers to read screens and perform actions remotely.

Researchers at Cleafy, the firm that uncovered the operation, said attackers can use the permissions to operate phones as if they were the real owners. The firm believes the campaign originated in Turkey and estimates that around 1,000 people have fallen victim to the scam.

Cybersecurity analysts stress that the attack represents a growing trend in banking malware, where accessibility features are exploited to bypass traditional defences and gain near-total control of infected devices.

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Tariffs and AI top the agenda for US CEOs over the next three years

US CEOs prioritise cost reduction and AI integration amid global economic uncertainty. According to KPMG’s 2025 CEO Outlook, leaders are reshaping supply chains while preparing for rapid AI transformation over the next three years.

Tariffs are a key factor influencing business strategies, with 89% of US CEOs expecting significant operational impacts. Many are adjusting sourcing models, while 86% say they will increase prices where needed. Supply chain resilience remains the top short-term pressure for decision-making.

AI agents are seen as major game-changers. 84% of CEOs expect a native AI company to become a leading industry player within 3 years, displacing incumbents. Companies are accelerating investment returns, with most expecting payoffs within one to three years.

Cybersecurity is a significant concern alongside AI integration. Forty-six percent have increased spending on digital risk resilience, focusing on fraud prevention and data privacy. CEOs recognise that AI and quantum computing introduce both opportunities and new vulnerabilities.

Workforce transformation is a clear priority. Eighty-six percent plan to embed AI agents into teams next year, while 73% focus on retaining and retraining high-potential talent. Upskilling, governance, and organisational redesign are emerging as essential strategies.

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Grok to get new AI video detection tools, Musk says

Musk said Grok will analyse bitstreams for AI signatures and scan the web to verify the origins of videos. Grok added that it will detect subtle AI artefacts in compression and generation patterns that humans cannot see.

AI tools such as Grok Imagine and Sora are reshaping the internet by making realistic video generation accessible to anyone. The rise of deepfakes has alarmed users, who warn that high-quality fake videos could soon be indistinguishable from real footage.

A user on X expressed concern that leaders are not addressing the growing risks. Elon Musk responded, revealing that his AI company xAI is developing Grok’s ability to detect AI-generated videos and trace their origins online.

The detection features aim to rebuild trust in digital media as AI-generated content spreads. Commentators have dubbed the flood of such content ‘AI slop’, raising concerns about misinformation and consent.

Concerns about deepfakes have grown since OpenAI launched the Sora app. A surge in deepfake content prompted OpenAI to tighten restrictions on cameo mode, allowing users to opt out of specific scenarios.

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Age verification and online safety dominate EU ministers’ Horsens meeting

EU digital ministers are meeting in Horsens on 9–10 October to improve the protection of minors online. Age verification, child protection, and digital sovereignty are at the top of the agenda under the Danish EU Presidency.

The Informal Council Meeting on Telecommunications is hosted by the Ministry of Digital Affairs of Denmark and chaired by Caroline Stage. European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen is also attending to support discussions on shared priorities.

Ministers are considering measures to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate platforms and reduce exposure to harmful features like addictive designs and adult content. Stronger safeguards across digital services are being discussed.

The talks also focus on Europe’s technological independence. Ministers aim to enhance the EU’s digital competitiveness and sovereignty while setting a clear direction ahead of the Commission’s upcoming Digital Fairness Act proposal.

A joint declaration, ‘The Jutland Declaration’, is expected as an outcome. It will highlight the need for stronger EU-level measures and effective age verification to create a safer online environment for children.

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AI cameras boost wildfire detection in Minnesota

Xcel Energy has deployed the first AI-driven wildfire-detection cameras in Minnesota to improve early warning for grass and forest fires. The technology aims to protect communities, natural resources, and power infrastructure while strengthening the grid’s resilience.

The first two Pano AI camera systems have been installed in Mankato and Clear Lake, with 38 planned for higher-risk areas. The cameras provide continuous 360-degree scanning and use AI to detect smoke, enabling rapid alerts to local fire agencies.

Pano AI technology combines high-definition imaging, satellite data, and human verification to locate fires in real time. Fire departments gain access to live terrain intelligence, including hard-to-monitor areas, helping shorten response times and improve firefighter safety.

More than 1,200 wildfires have burned nearly 49,000 acres in Minnesota so far this year. Xcel Energy already uses Pano AI cameras in Colorado and Texas, where the technology has proven effective in identifying fires early and containing their spread.

The initiative is part of Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Wildfire Mitigation Program, which combines advanced technologies, modernised infrastructure, and vegetation management to reduce risks. The company is working with communities and agencies to strengthen prevention and response efforts.

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Google Cloud to power Gap Inc.’s digital transformation with AI

Gap Inc. has announced a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to power its human-centred, digitally enabled technology strategy. The collaboration aims to accelerate AI adoption across the company’s brands, including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.

The partnership will give Gap Inc. access to Google’s AI stack, including Gemini, Vertex AI, and BigQuery. These tools will drive innovation in product design, pricing, marketing, and employee workflows, improving efficiency and enabling faster, more personalised retail experiences.

AI tools will accelerate product development and planning, support hyper-personalised shopping, and optimise marketing through smarter recommendations and storytelling. Gap Inc. is also using Google Ads to strengthen its omnichannel campaigns through AI-driven optimisation.

For employees, AI will act as a partner in decision-making and execution, making operations more agile and freeing teams to focus on creativity and customer engagement. This shift reflects a broader redesign of workflows to embed AI across the business.

Gap Inc. CTO Sven Gerjets said the partnership will bring AI to life across the company. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian described it as a step towards reinventing retail with speed, personalisation, and industry-leading experiences.

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Malawi and Zambia join COMESA digital payment trials

The COMESA Clearing House (CCH) has reached a major milestone in its efforts to modernise regional trade, advancing its Digital Retail Payments Platform (DRPP) to user trials across Malawi and Zambia. The initiative, developed to simplify cross-border transactions using local currencies, aims to make payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The latest phase involves two digital financial service providers and one foreign exchange provider, marking the successful transition from technical testing to real-world trials. Designed with inclusion and security in mind, the DRPP targets a wide range of users, from small businesses and informal traders to individual citizens, helping to remove long-standing barriers to regional commerce.

CCH has called on governments, financial institutions, and private-sector partners to join this pivotal stage of development, emphasising that collaboration is key to refining the system. Once fully operational, the platform will allow cross-border payments to function as seamlessly as domestic ones, fostering economic growth and trade integration across the region.

By combining innovation with financial cooperation, the COMESA Clearing House continues to build the foundation for a more connected and prosperous regional economy, one where inclusive, digital payments empower businesses and communities alike.

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OpenAI joins dialogue with the EU on fair and transparent AI development

The US AI company, OpenAI, has met with the European Commission to discuss competition in the rapidly expanding AI sector.

A meeting focused on how large technology firms such as Apple, Microsoft and Google shape access to digital markets through their operating systems, app stores and search engines.

During the discussion, OpenAI highlighted that such platforms significantly influence how users and developers engage with AI services.

The company encouraged regulators to ensure that innovation and consumer choice remain priorities as the industry grows, noting that collaboration between major and minor players can help maintain a balanced ecosystem.

An issue arises as OpenAI continues to partner with several leading technology companies. Microsoft, a key investor, has integrated ChatGPT into Windows 11’s Copilot, while Apple recently added ChatGPT support to Siri as part of its Apple Intelligence features.

Therefore, OpenAI’s engagement with regulators is part of a broader dialogue about maintaining open and competitive markets while fostering cooperation across the industry.

Although the European Commission has not announced any new investigations, the meeting reflects ongoing efforts to understand how AI platforms interact within the broader digital economy.

OpenAI and other stakeholders are expected to continue contributing to discussions to ensure transparency, fairness and sustainable growth in the AI ecosystem.

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