Freedom of expression

New York orders warning labels on social media features

Authorities in New York State have approved a new law requiring social media platforms to display warning labels when users engage with features that encourage prolonged use.

Labels will appear when people interact with elements such as infinite scrolling, auto-play, like counters or algorithm-driven feeds. The rule applies whenever these services are accessed from within New York.

Governor Kathy Hochul said the move is intended to safeguard young people against potential mental health harms linked to excessive social media use. Warnings will show the first time a user activates one of the targeted features and will then reappear at intervals.

Concerns about the impact on children and teenagers have prompted wider government action. California is considering similar steps, while Australia has already banned social media for under-16s and Denmark plans to follow. The US surgeon general has also called for clearer health warnings.

Researchers continue to examine how social media use relates to anxiety and depression among young users. Platforms now face growing pressure to balance engagement features with stronger protections instead of relying purely on self-regulation.

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Visa ban imposed by US on ex-EU commissioner over digital platform rules

The US State Department has imposed a visa ban on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other individuals, citing opposition to European regulation of social media platforms. The US visa ban reflects growing tensions between Washington and Brussels over digital governance and free expression.

US officials said the visa ban targets figures linked to organisations involved in content moderation and disinformation research. Those named include representatives from HateAid, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, and the Global Disinformation Index, alongside Breton.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the individuals of pressuring US-based platforms to restrict certain viewpoints. A senior State Department official described Breton as a central figure behind the EU’s Digital Services Act, a law that sets obligations for large online platforms operating in Europe.

Breton rejected the US visa ban, calling it a witch hunt and denying allegations of censorship. European organisations affected by the decision criticised the move as unlawful and authoritarian, while the European Commission said it had sought clarification from US authorities.

France and the European Commission condemned the visa ban and warned of a possible response. EU officials said European digital rules are applied uniformly and are intended to support a safe, competitive online environment.

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AI-generated Jesuses spark concern over faith and bias

AI chatbots modelled on Jesus are becoming increasingly popular over Christmas, offering companionship or faith guidance to people who may feel emotionally vulnerable during the holidays.

Several platforms, including Character.AI, Talkie.AI and Text With Jesus, now host simulations claiming to answer questions in the voice of Jesus Christ.

Experts warn that such tools could gradually reshape religious belief and practice. Training data is controlled by a handful of technology firms, which means AI systems may produce homogenised and biased interpretations instead of reflecting the diversity of real-world faith communities.

Users who are young or unfamiliar with AI may also struggle to judge the accuracy or intent behind the answers they receive.

Researchers say AI chatbots are currently used as a supplement rather than a replacement for religious teaching.

However, concern remains that people may begin to rely on AI for spiritual reassurance during sensitive moments. Scholars recommend limiting use over the holidays and prioritising conversations with family, friends or trusted religious leaders instead of seeking emotional comfort from a chatbot.

Experts also urge users to reflect carefully on who designs these systems and why. Fact-checking answers and grounding faith in recognised sources may help reduce the risk of distortion as AI plays a growing role in people’s daily lives.

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ChatGPT becomes more customisable for tone and style

OpenAI has introduced new Personalisation settings in ChatGPT that allow users to fine-tune warmth, enthusiasm and emoji use. The changes are designed to make conversations feel more natural, instead of relying on a single default tone.

ChatGPT users can set each element to More, Less or Default, alongside existing tone styles such as Professional, Candid and Quirky. The update follows previous adjustments, where OpenAI first dialled back perceived agreeableness, then later increased warmth after users said the system felt overly cold.

Experts have raised concerns that highly agreeable AI could encourage emotional dependence, even as users welcome a more flexible conversational style.

Some commentators describe the feature as empowering, while others question whether customising a chatbot’s personality risks blurring emotional boundaries.

The new tone controls continue broader industry debates about how human-like AI should become. OpenAI hopes that added transparency and user choice will balance personal preference with responsible design, instead of encouraging reliance on a single conversational style.

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Japan investigates AI search services over news use

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced it will investigate AI-based online search services over concerns that using news articles without permission could violate antitrust laws.

Authorities said such practices may amount to an abuse of a dominant bargaining position under Japan’s antimonopoly regulations.

The inquiry is expected to examine services from global tech firms, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, as well as US startup Perplexity AI and Japanese company LY Corp. AI search tools summarise online content, including news articles, raising concerns about their effect on media revenue.

The Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association warned AI summaries may reduce website traffic and media revenue. JFTC Secretary General Hiroo Iwanari said generative AI is evolving quickly, requiring careful review to keep up with technological change.

The investigation reflects growing global scrutiny of AI services and their interaction with content providers, with regulators increasingly assessing the balance between innovation and fair competition in digital markets.

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South Korea fake news law sparks fears for press freedom

A significant debate has erupted in South Korea after the National Assembly passed new legislation aimed at tackling so-called fake news.

The revised Information and Communications Network Act bans the circulation of false or fabricated information online. It allows courts to impose punitive damages up to five times the losses suffered when media outlets or YouTubers intentionally spread disinformation for unjust profit.

Journalists, unions and academics warn that the law could undermine freedom of expression and weaken journalism’s watchdog function instead of strengthening public trust.

Critics argue that ambiguity over who decides what constitutes fake news could shift judgement away from the courts and toward regulators or platforms, encouraging self-censorship and increasing the risk of abusive lawsuits by influential figures.

Experts also highlight the lack of strong safeguards in South Korea against malicious litigation compared with the US, where plaintiffs must prove fault by journalists.

The controversy reflects more profound public scepticism about South Korean media and long-standing reporting practices that sometimes rely on relaying statements without sufficient verification, suggesting that structural reform may be needed instead of rapid, punitive legislation.

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Meta restricts Congress AI videos in India

Meta has restricted access in India to two AI-generated videos posted by the Congress party. The clips depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.

The company stated that the content did not violate its community standards. Action followed takedown notices issued by Delhi Police under India’s information technology laws.

Meta warned that ignoring the orders could jeopardise safe harbour protections. Loss of those protections would expose platforms to direct legal liability.

The case highlights growing scrutiny of political AI content in India. Recent rule changes have tightened procedures for ordering online takedowns.

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AI reshapes journalism faster than public perception

AI is transforming how news is produced and consumed, moving faster than audiences and policies can adapt. Journalists increasingly use AI for research, transcription and content optimisation, creating new trust challenges.

Ethical concerns are rising when AI misrepresents events or uses content without consent. Media organisations have introduced guidelines, but experts warn that rules alone cannot cover every scenario.

Audience scepticism remains, even as journalists adopt AI tools in daily practice. Transparency, apparent human oversight and ethical adoption are key to maintaining credibility and legitimacy.

Europe faces pressure to strengthen its trust infrastructure and regulate the use of AI in newsrooms. Experts argue that democratic stability depends on informed audiences and resilient journalism to counter disinformation.

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AI fuels online abuse of women in public life

Generative AI is increasingly being weaponised to harass women in public roles, according to a new report commissioned by UN Women. Journalists, activists, and human rights defenders face AI-assisted abuse that endangers personal safety and democratic freedoms.

The study surveyed 641 women from 119 countries and found that nearly one in four of those experiencing online violence reported AI-generated or amplified abuse.

Writers, communicators, and influencers reported the highest exposure, with human rights defenders and journalists also at significant risk. Rapidly developing AI tools, including deepfakes, facilitate the creation to harmful content that spreads quickly on social media.

Online attacks often escalate into offline harm, with 41% of women linking online abuse to physical harassment, stalking, or intimidation. Female journalists are particularly affected, with offline attacks more than doubling over five years.

Experts warn that such violence threatens freedom of expression and democratic processes, particularly in authoritarian contexts.

Researchers call for urgent legal frameworks, platform accountability, and technological safeguards to prevent AI-assisted attacks on women. They advocate for human rights-focused AI design and stronger support systems to protect women in public life.

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AI-generated video falsely claims US military to ‘take over’ Nigerian army

A video circulating online, purported to show a US military officer announcing that the United States would take control of the Nigerian Army, is false.

Independent analysis has revealed that the clip was likely generated or heavily manipulated using AI, and no official announcement or credible source supports this claim.

Fact-checkers used AI-detection tools and found high levels of manipulation, and investigations uncovered inconsistencies in uniform insignia and microphones linked to non-existent media outlets. No verified reports indicate that US military forces are intervening in Nigerian defence operations.

The false claim has spread on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), generating alarm and misinterpretation about foreign military involvement in Nigeria.

Experts warn that deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation are becoming harder to spot without specialised tools and verification.

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