Apple has rolled out a new feature called ‘age assurance’ to help protect children’s privacy while using apps. The technology allows parents to input their child’s age when setting up an account without disclosing sensitive information like birthdays or government IDs. Instead, parents can share a general ‘age range’ with app developers, putting them in control of what data is shared.
This move comes amid growing pressure from US lawmakers, including those in Utah and South Carolina, who are considering age-verification laws for social media apps. Apple has expressed concerns about collecting sensitive personal data for such verifications, arguing it would require users to hand over unnecessary details for apps that don’t require it.
The age assurance tool allows parents to maintain control over their children’s data while limiting what third parties can access. Meta, which has supported legislation for app stores to verify children’s ages, welcomed the new tech as a step in the right direction, though it raised concerns about its practical implementation.
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TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by ByteDance, has unveiled plans to invest $8.8 billion in building data centres in Thailand over the next five years. The announcement was made by Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President of Public Policy, during an event held in Bangkok on Friday. This investment marks a significant move as the company continues to expand its operations in the region.
The specific details of the investment remain unclear, particularly whether it includes a $3.8 billion agreement that was announced by Thailand’s investment board last month. The government’s investment board had previously detailed a deal aimed at boosting digital infrastructure in the country, but TikTok did not provide further clarification on the connection between the two.
This move highlights TikTok’s growing commitment to the Thai market and its broader strategy of increasing local data storage capabilities. As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its global presence, the company is investing in infrastructure to better serve its user base and meet regulatory requirements in key markets.
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Texas is moving closer to establishing a state-managed Bitcoin reserve after the Senate Banking Committee unanimously backed a new bill on 27 February. The proposed legislation, known as Senate Bill 21 (SB-21), would allow the Texas Comptroller to acquire and manage Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as part of the state’s financial reserves.
Supporters argue that adding Bitcoin to state holdings could shield Texas against inflation and economic instability. The bill was originally focused solely on Bitcoin but was later amended to include other digital assets, bringing it in line with a recent federal push to assess the feasibility of a national digital asset reserve. Advocates emphasise Bitcoin’s transparency and resilience as key advantages for public financial management.
Texas joins a growing number of states exploring similar initiatives, with over 20 introducing proposals to invest public funds in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. While states such as Oklahoma and Arizona have moved forward with similar bills, others like Montana and Wyoming have rejected the idea due to concerns over volatility. If approved, Texas’ move could set a precedent for wider government adoption of Bitcoin in financial strategies.
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Japan is considering reclassifying digital assets, moving them from payment methods to financial products. This proposal, introduced by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA), aims to tackle the rise in investment scams, as the country’s digital asset market has grown to around JPY 4.5 trillion (US$30.11 billion). Under this new framework, digital assets would be placed under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, similar to how company shares are regulated.
The proposed change would significantly increase disclosure requirements for issuers and subject them to more rigorous regulations. Currently, digital assets in Japan fall under the Payment Services Act, which treats them as payment methods rather than investments. It means they are subject to looser regulations compared to traditional financial products.
The FSA’s move comes amid growing concerns over crypto scams, with more than 11.8 million crypto trading accounts now active in Japan. Scammers have targeted unsuspecting investors with promises of quick profits, some involving fake or worthless assets. The new regulatory approach seeks to curb such fraudulent schemes and increase consumer protection in the rapidly growing crypto market.
If implemented, the change would help bring Japan’s regulatory stance closer to other global markets, like the US, where digital assets are already considered as property or securities.
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Inception, a Palo Alto-based startup founded by Stanford professor Stefano Ermon, has unveiled an innovative AI model based on diffusion technology. Unlike traditional large language models that generate text sequentially, Inception’s diffusion-based model can produce large blocks of text in parallel, making it up to 10 times faster and more cost-efficient. The company claims its model offers similar capabilities to existing LLMs but with significantly improved performance.
The diffusion model operates differently from the typical approach of LLMs, which generate text word by word. Instead, it starts with a rough estimate and refines the output all at once, allowing for faster processing. Ermon, who has been researching this technology for years at Stanford, believes it will revolutionise AI by enabling more efficient use of computational resources, particularly GPUs. Inception already boasts several Fortune 100 companies as clients, attracted by its promise to reduce AI latency and costs.
Inception’s model can handle various tasks, including code generation and question answering, and is designed for flexible deployment options such as API, on-premises, and edge devices. This breakthrough technology is expected to lead to more accessible and scalable AI solutions, positioning Inception at the forefront of AI development.
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Taiwan’s Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei announced on Thursday that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) would require government approval for any overseas joint ventures, although there are no restrictions on manufacturing advanced chips abroad, except for China. This comes amid reports that TSMC is in talks to acquire a stake in Intel, a move that could stir tensions with the US, where former President Trump has expressed concerns about Taiwan taking away American semiconductor business.
Kuo reassured reporters in Taipei that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, particularly TSMC, remains vital to the nation’s economy, describing it as the ‘sacred mountain protecting the country.’ He also clarified that while the Taiwanese government would not interfere with TSMC’s business decisions, any large overseas investments or joint ventures must be approved by Taiwan’s economy ministry, with no changes to the rules surrounding advanced chip production outside of China.
TSMC is already investing $65 billion in new factories in Arizona, where it plans to manufacture the most advanced 2-nanometre chips, though this will not occur for a few years. The government is also preparing to engage in discussions with the Trump administration over potential tariffs on Taiwanese imports, aiming to secure the best conditions for local companies in light of the ongoing trade tensions.
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In his blog, ‘Soft Power at a Crossroads: The Implications of USAID’s Closure,’ Jovan Kurbalija, executive director of Diplo, explores the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Founded in 1961, USAID was a cornerstone of American soft power, channelling billions in aid to promote global development and humanitarian relief.
Its closure marks a dramatic shift in US foreign policy, raising concerns about the future of American influence abroad. The decision to dismantle USAID came amid accusations of inefficiency and mismanagement, with figures like Elon Musk calling the agency corrupt and bloated.
The administration’s plan to fold USAID’s functions into the State Department aligned with Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda, prioritising national interests over global development efforts. Yet, critics argue that this move undermines decades of diplomatic goodwill and leaves vulnerable populations without critical aid, from landmine clearance in Asia to refugee support in conflict zones.
Kurbalija indicates that the vacuum in the USA ‘soft power’ could be filled by other global actors including China, EU, India, Turkie, and Russia. He also questions the future of soft power itself—will persuasion and public digital diplomacy still matter in a world dominated by hard power and geopolitical competition? As the US steps back from its humanitarian role, the international balance of influence may enter an era of profound change.
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Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, a major upgrade to its voice assistant, integrating advanced AI to enhance interactions.
The new version can process multiple prompts in sequence, store user preferences, and manage tasks such as making reservations and sending reminders. AI-powered improvements aim to make Alexa more conversational and responsive.
The company has invested heavily in the technology, incorporating AI models through its Bedrock platform. Startup Anthropic contributed to development, with its Claude AI underpinning Alexa+.
The service will be free for Amazon Prime members, while non-Prime users will pay $19.99 per month. A phased rollout begins in March.
Alexa+ will integrate seamlessly with Amazon devices, including Ring doorbells, allowing users to access video recordings and control smart home features. It can also analyse documents, helping users understand contracts and regulations.
Industry competition remains strong, with Apple and Google also enhancing their voice assistants through AI.
Amazon hopes the overhaul will boost engagement, as Alexa usage had declined due to limited advancements. The company’s stock rose 1.7% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the AI-driven update.
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The US Securities and Exchange Commission has closed its investigation into the crypto exchange Gemini without taking enforcement action, marking another regulatory retreat in the ongoing battle over digital assets. Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss welcomed the decision but argued the damage had already been done, with the exchange losing millions in legal costs and productivity. He criticised the SEC’s aggressive stance, which he claims has stifled innovation and economic growth.
The case stemmed from the SEC’s allegations that Gemini’s ‘Earn’ programme constituted an unregistered securities offering. While the regulator has now dropped its probe, it warned that this does not prevent future action. The move follows a pattern, with the SEC also abandoning cases against Coinbase, OpenSea, Uniswap Labs, and Robinhood Crypto in recent weeks.
Winklevoss has called for legislative reform to prevent baseless investigations, suggesting that regulators responsible should be held accountable. His remarks come amid a shifting political landscape, with former SEC Chair Gary Gensler stepping down as Donald Trump began his second presidential term. Many in the crypto industry see these developments as a turning point, though Winklevoss insists the fight is far from over.
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PsiQuantum has developed a method to manufacture quantum computing chips at scale, solving a key challenge in the industry.
The company confirmed its chipset, Omega, is now ready for mass production through a partnership with GlobalFoundries, which is producing millions of the chips at its factory in Albany, New York.
The startup employs a photonics-based approach, leveraging widely used semiconductor manufacturing techniques. However, this method enables quantum calculations using particles of light while requiring less complex cooling mechanisms than other quantum technologies.
Manufacturing yields have matched those of standard semiconductors, according to company executives.
Findings on mass production were published in the journal Nature, highlighting the readiness of PsiQuantum’s technology. The company expects to complete a facility capable of performing commercial quantum applications by around 2027, aligning with recent industry predictions that quantum computing is now only years away from practical use.
PsiQuantum was valued at $3.15 billion in 2023, positioning it as a leading player in the race for commercially viable quantum computers. Other companies, including Microsoft and Google, have also made significant progress, with Google forecasting commercial applications within five years.
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