Freedom of the press

Germany urges social media platforms to tackle disinformation before election

Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, has called on social media companies to take stronger action against disinformation ahead of the federal parliamentary election on 23 February. Faeser urged platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok to label AI-manipulated videos, clearly identify political advertising, and ensure compliance with European laws. She also emphasised the need for platforms to report and remove criminal content swiftly, including death threats.

Faeser met with representatives of major tech firms to underline the importance of transparency in algorithms, warning against the risk of online radicalisation, particularly among young people. Her concerns come amidst growing fears of disinformation campaigns, possibly originating from Russia, that could influence the upcoming election. She reiterated that platforms must ensure they do not fuel societal division through unchecked content.

Calls for greater accountability in the tech industry are gaining momentum. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised social media owners for enabling algorithms that erode democracy and “poison society.” Faeser’s warnings highlight the growing international demand for stronger regulations on social media to safeguard democratic processes.

South Sudan blocks social media after riots and violence

South Sudan has suspended access to social media platforms for at least 30 days following violent riots triggered by videos allegedly showing the killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan’s El Gezira state. The decision, announced by the National Communications Authority on Wednesday, aims to curb the spread of extreme content and prevent further unrest. Mobile operators MTN South Sudan and Zain confirmed that platforms like Facebook and TikTok would be inaccessible for up to 90 days.

The riots, which erupted in the capital, Juba and other cities, led to the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals. Angry youths looted shops, vandalised property, and burned homes belonging to Sudanese nationals, believing Sudan’s military and its allies were involved in the El Gezira killings. South Sudanese authorities have condemned the violence, urging calm and restraint.

The Sudanese army has also criticised what it described as ‘individual violations’ in El Gezira. The social media ban is part of a broader effort to restore order and prevent further acts of retaliation, as tensions remain high between the neighbouring nations.

OpenAI defends itself in ANI copyright lawsuit in India

OpenAI has told an Indian court that removing training data used for its ChatGPT service would conflict with its legal obligations in the United States. The company, backed by Microsoft, is defending a copyright lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, which accuses OpenAI of using its content without permission and demands the deletion of ANI’s data from ChatGPT’s memory.

In a January 10 filing, OpenAI argued that Indian courts lack jurisdiction as the company has no physical presence or data servers in India. It also emphasised its legal obligation in the US to preserve training data while litigation is ongoing. OpenAI denied wrongdoing, asserting its systems make fair use of publicly available data, a stance it has maintained in similar copyright disputes globally.

ANI insists the Delhi court has the authority to rule on the case, citing concerns over unfair competition and alleging that ChatGPT reproduces its content verbatim. OpenAI, however, countered that ANI manipulated prompts to elicit such responses. The court is set to hear the case on January 28, marking a key moment in India’s scrutiny of AI and copyright law.

Apple halts AI news summaries after NUJ criticism

Apple has suspended its AI-generated news summary feature after criticism from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). Concerns were raised over the tool’s inaccurate reporting and its potential role in spreading misinformation.

The NUJ welcomed the decision, emphasising the risks posed by automated reporting. Recent errors in AI-generated summaries highlighted how such tools can undermine public trust in journalism. Calls for a more human-centred approach in reporting were made by NUJ assistant general secretary, Séamus Dooley.

Apple’s decision follows growing scrutiny of AI’s role in journalism. Critics argue that while automation can streamline news delivery, it must not compromise accuracy or credibility.

The NUJ has urged Apple to prioritise transparency and accountability as it further develops its AI capabilities. Safeguarding trust in journalism remains a key concern in the evolving media landscape.

Donald Trump rebrings TikTok online

TikTok began restoring its services in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office on Monday. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump assured his supporters that TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, would be brought back online through a joint venture that protects national security. Hours earlier, TikTok users had received a message crediting Trump for the app’s restoration efforts.

TikTok ceased operations late Saturday after a law banning the platform on national security grounds came into effect. The shutdown sparked a frenzy among users and businesses dependent on the app, with web searches for VPNs surging and concerns mounting over disruptions to TikTok Shop transactions. The app’s temporary return relieves millions, but important questions remain about its long-term future in the US.

Trump’s pledge to extend the ban’s enforcement period to facilitate a deal marks a shift from his stance in 2020 when he sought to ban TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was sharing user data with Beijing. Trump now calls for a joint venture, proposing a 50% US ownership stake while guaranteeing that service providers would not face penalties for restoring TikTok.

Despite Trump’s assurances, the law mandating TikTok’s divestiture remains contentious. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, have criticised any attempt to circumvent the law, insisting that ByteDance sever all ties with China to meet the divestiture requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok’s ongoing connection to China continues to fuel tensions in US-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting Chinese companies.

TikTok’s temporary return has reignited debates over its valuation, reportedly as high as $50 billion, and potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and billionaire Elon Musk. While Beijing has reportedly discussed a possible sale, ByteDance denies such plans. Separately, US startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging with TikTok’s US operations to create a new entity.

The platform’s restoration signals its cultural and economic significance, but it also highlights the geopolitical complexities of its existence. Whether TikTok ultimately secures a deal or faces renewed legal battles, its journey reflects the growing and complicated intersection of technology, digital policies, cyber diplomacy, politics, and global commerce.

TikTok’s abrupt shutdown shakes the USA

TikTok’s future in the US took a dramatic turn late Saturday as the app went offline ahead of a Sunday deadline mandated by US law. The US government’s move, affecting 170 million US users, marks an unprecedented shutdown of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.

The persistence of the US officials to ban TikTok stems from concerns over the platform’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and potential risks to national security. As users grapple with the platform’s disappearance, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow time for a resolution.

The shutdown comes after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or cease US operations. ByteDance’s other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, were also removed from US app stores.

TikTok issued a message to users acknowledging the shutdown and expressing hope for a political resolution under the Trump administration, which takes office Monday 20 January 2025. Trump has indicated that he will announce an extension early next week.

The app’s disappearance has sparked many reactions among users, businesses, and competitors. Social media platforms like RedNote, Meta, and Snap have seen an influx of users and investor interest, while many TikTok creators expressed sadness and uncertainty online. Virtual private network (VPN) searches surged as users sought workarounds to access the platform, highlighting the app’s deep integration into American culture and commerce.

Despite the shutdown, speculation continues about TikTok’s future. ByteDance has reportedly been discussing with potential buyers, including billionaire Elon Musk and other US-based entities. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, signalling possible negotiations to keep the platform operational. Proposals from new suitors, such as US search engine startup Perplexity AI, further illustrate the high stakes and value of TikTok’s US operations, which are estimated to be worth up to $50 billion.

The uncertainty has created a ripple effect, with businesses that rely on TikTok for marketing and e-commerce scrambling to adapt. Many worry about the broader implications of this shutdown, which has deepened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The prospect of a political compromise looms as Trump prepares to take office, but whether TikTok can return to US screens remains uncertain. The platform’s sudden disappearance underscores the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and commerce, leaving millions of users and businesses in limbo.

AFP partnership strengthens Mistral’s global reach

Mistral, a Paris-based AI company, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) to enhance the accuracy of its chatbot, Le Chat. The deal signals Mistral’s determination to broaden its scope beyond foundational model development.

Through the agreement, Le Chat will gain access to AFP’s extensive archive, which includes over 2,300 daily stories in six languages and records dating back to 1983. While the focus remains on text content, photos and videos are not part of the multi-year arrangement. By incorporating AFP’s multilingual and multicultural resources, Mistral aims to deliver more accurate and reliable responses tailored to business needs.

The partnership bolsters Mistral’s standing against AI leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic, who have also secured similar content agreements. Le Chat’s enhanced features align with Mistral’s broader strategy to develop user-friendly applications that rival popular tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.

Mistral’s co-founder and CEO, Arthur Mensch, emphasised the importance of the partnership, describing it as a step toward offering clients a unique and culturally diverse AI solution. The agreement reinforces Mistral’s commitment to innovation and its global relevance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Meta pushes free speech at the cost of content control

Meta has announced that Instagram and Threads users will no longer be able to opt out of seeing political content from accounts they don’t follow. The change, part of a broader push toward promoting “free expression,” will take effect in the US this week and expand globally soon after. Users will be able to adjust how much political content they see but won’t be able to block it entirely.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and Threads, had previously expressed reluctance to feature political posts, favouring community-focused content like sports and fashion. However, he now claims that users have asked to see more political material. Critics, including social media experts, argue the shift is driven by changing political dynamics in the US, particularly with Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House.

While some users have welcomed Meta’s stance on free speech, many worry it could amplify misinformation and hate speech. Experts also caution that marginalised groups may face increased harm due to fewer content moderation measures. The changes could also push discontented users toward rival platforms like Bluesky, raising questions about Meta’s long-term strategy.

Apple faces backlash over AI-generated news errors

Apple is facing mounting criticism over its AI-generated news summaries, which have produced inaccurate and misleading alerts on its latest iPhones. Media organisations, including the BBC, have raised concerns that the feature, designed to summarise breaking news notifications, has fabricated details that contradict original reports. The National Union of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have called for the product’s removal, warning it risks spreading misinformation at a time when trust in news is already fragile.

High-profile errors have fuelled demands for urgent action. In December, an Apple AI summary falsely claimed that a murder suspect had taken his own life, while another inaccurately announced Luke Littler as the winner of the PDC World Darts Championship before the event had even begun. Apple has pledged to update the feature to make it clearer that summaries are AI-generated, but critics argue this does not address the root problem.

Journalism watchdogs and industry experts have warned that AI-driven news aggregation remains unreliable. The BBC stressed that the errors could undermine public trust, while former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger described Apple’s technology as “out of control”. Similar concerns have been raised over generative AI tools from other tech firms, with Google’s AI-powered search summaries also facing scrutiny for producing incorrect responses. Apple insists the feature remains optional and is still in beta testing, with further improvements expected in an upcoming software update.

Israeli spyware deal reports denied by US and Israel

Officials from the United States and Israel have refuted claims of approving the sale of Israeli spyware firm Paragon to Florida-based AE Industrial Partners. Reports of the transaction surfaced in Israeli media, suggesting both governments had greenlit the deal, but US and Israeli representatives dismissed these assertions.

The White House clarified that the sale was a private transaction with no formal US approval, while Israel‘s Defence Ministry stated it was still evaluating the deal. Paragon, linked to former Israeli intelligence officers, has faced scrutiny in the US market, including a paused $2 million contract with ICE.

The alleged acquisition has drawn attention due to Paragon’s ties to national security and controversial surveillance software. Both AE and Paragon have not yet commented on the situation.