Human rights principles Archives | Page 49 of 151

TikTok outages spark fears over data control and censorship in the US

Widespread TikTok disruptions affected users across the US as snowstorms triggered power outages and technical failures, with reports of malfunctioning algorithms and missing content features.

Problems persisted for some users beyond the initial incident, adding to uncertainty surrounding the platform’s stability.

The outage coincided with the creation of a new US-based TikTok joint venture following government concerns over potential Chinese access to user data. TikTok stated that a power failure at a domestic data centre caused the disruption, rather than ownership restructuring or policy changes.

Suspicion grew among users due to overlapping political events, including large-scale protests in Minneapolis and reports of difficulties searching for related content. Fears of censorship spread online, although TikTok attributed all disruptions to infrastructure failure.

The incident also resurfaced concerns over TikTok’s privacy policy, which outlines the collection of sensitive personal data. While some disclosures predated the ownership deal, the timing reinforced broader anxieties over social media surveillance during periods of political tension.

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Musk’s X under EU Commission scrutiny over Grok sexualised images

The European Commission has opened a new investigation into Elon Musk’s X over Grok, the platform’s AI chatbot, after reports that the tool was used to generate and circulate non-consensual sexualised images, including content that may involve minors. The EU officials say they will examine whether X properly assessed and reduced the risks linked to Grok’s features before rolling them out in the EU.

The case is being pursued under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires very large online platforms to identify and mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content and harms to fundamental rights. If breaches are confirmed, the Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of a provider’s global annual turnover and, in some cases, require interim measures.

X and xAI have said they introduced restrictions after the backlash, including limiting some image-editing functions and blocking certain image generation in jurisdictions where it is illegal. The EU officials have welcomed steps to tighten safeguards but argue they may not address deeper, systemic risks, particularly if risk assessments and mitigations were not in place before deployment.

The Grok probe lands on top of a broader set of legal pressures already facing X. In the UK, Ofcom has opened a formal investigation under the Online Safety Act into whether X met its duties to protect users from illegal content linked to Grok’s sexualised imagery. Beyond Europe, Malaysia and Indonesia temporarily blocked Grok amid safety concerns, and access was later restored after authorities said additional safeguards had been put in place.

In parallel, the EU regulators have also widened scrutiny of X’s recommender systems, an area already under DSA proceedings, because the platform has moved toward using a Grok-linked system to rank and recommend content. The Commission has argued that recommendation design can amplify harmful material at scale, making it central to whether a platform effectively manages systemic risks.

The investigation also comes amid earlier DSA enforcement. The Commission recently fined X €120 million for transparency-related breaches, underscoring that the EU action is not limited to content moderation alone but extends to how platforms disclose and enable scrutiny of their systems.

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AI Overviews leans heavily on YouTube for health information

Google’s health-related search results increasingly draw on YouTube rather than hospitals, government agencies, or academic institutions, as new research reveals how AI Overviews select citation sources in automated results.

An analysis by SEO platform SE Ranking reviewed more than 50,000 German-language health queries and found AI Overviews appeared on over 82% of searches, making healthcare one of the most AI-influenced information categories on Google.

Across all cited sources, YouTube ranked first by a wide margin, accounting for more than 20,000 references and surpassing medical publishers, hospital websites, and public health authorities.

Academic journals and research institutions accounted for less than 1% of citations, while national and international government health bodies accounted for under 0.5%, highlighting a sharp imbalance in source authority.

Researchers warn that when platform-scale content outweighs evidence-based medical sources, the risk extends beyond misinformation to long-term erosion of trust in AI-powered search systems.

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Google fixes Gmail bug that sent spam into primary inboxes

Gmail experienced widespread email filt e ring issues on Saturday, sending spam into primary inboxes and mislabelling legitimate messages as suspicious, according to Google’s Workspace status dashboard.

Problems began around 5 a.m. Pacific time, with users reporting disrupted inbox categories, unexpected spam warnings and delays in email delivery. Many said promotional and social emails appeared in primary folders, while trusted senders were flagged as potential threats.

Google acknowledged the malfunction throughout the day, noting ongoing efforts to restore normal service as complaints spread across social media platforms.

By Saturday evening, the company confirmed the issue had been fully resolved for all users, although some misclassified messages and spam warnings may remain visible for emails received before the fix.

Google said it is conducting an internal investigation and will publish a detailed incident analysis to explain what caused the disruption.

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Artists and writers say no to generative AI

Creative communities are pushing back against generative AI in literature and art. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association now bars works created wholly or partly with large language models after criticism of earlier, more permissive rules.

San Diego Comic-Con faced controversy when it initially allowed AI-generated art in its exhibition, but not for sale. Artists argued that the rules threatened originality, prompting organisers to ban all AI-created material.

Authors warn that generative AI undermines the creative process. Some point out that large language model tools are already embedded in research and writing software, raising concerns about accidental disqualification from awards.

Fans and members welcomed SFWA’s decision, but questions remain about how broadly AI usage will be defined. Many creators insist that machines cannot replicate storytelling and artistic skill.

Industry observers expect other cultural organisations to follow similar policies this year. The debate continues over ethics, fairness, and technology’s role in arts and literature.

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Monnett highlights EU digital sovereignty in social media

Monnett is a European-built social media platform designed to give people control over their online feeds. Users can choose exactly what they see, prioritise friends’ posts, and opt out of surveillance-style recommendation systems that dominate other networks.

Unlike mainstream platforms, Monnett places privacy first, with no profiling or sale of user data, and private chats protected without being mined for advertising. The platform also avoids “AI slop” or generative AI content shaping people’s feeds, emphasising human-centred interaction.

Created and built in Luxembourg at the heart of Europe, Monnett’s design reflects a growing push for digital sovereignty in the European Union, where citizens, regulators and developers want more control over how their digital spaces are governed and how personal data is treated.

Core features include full customisation of your algorithm, no shadowbans, strong privacy safeguards, and a focus on genuine social connection. Monnett aims to win users who prefer meaningful online interaction over addictive feeds and opaque data practices.

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Meta pauses teen access to AI characters

Meta Platforms has announced a temporary pause on teenagers’ access to AI characters across its platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta disclosed the decision to review and rebuild the feature for younger users.

In San Francisco, Meta said the restriction will apply to users identified as minors based on declared ages or internal age-prediction systems. Teenagers will still be able to use Meta’s core AI assistant, though interactive AI characters will be unavailable.

The move comes ahead of a major child safety trial in Los Angeles involving Meta, TikTok and YouTube. The Los Angeles case focuses on allegations that social media platforms cause harm to children through addictive and unsafe digital features.

Concerns about AI chatbots and minors have grown across the US, prompting similar action by other companies. In Los Angeles and San Francisco, regulators and courts are increasingly scrutinising how AI interactions affect young users.

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Australia’s social media ban raises concern for social media companies

Australia’s social media ban for under-16s is worrying social media companies. According to the country’s eSafety Commissioner, these companies fear a global trend of banning such apps. In Australia, regulators say major platforms reluctantly resisted the policy, fearing that similar rules could spread internationally.

In Australia, the ban has already led to the closure of 4.7 million child-linked accounts across platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Authorities argue the measures are necessary to protect children from harmful algorithms and addictive design.

Social media companies operating in Australia, including Meta, say stronger safeguards are needed but oppose a blanket ban. Critics have warned about privacy risks, while regulators insist early data shows limited migration to alternative platforms.

Australia is now working with partners such as the UK to push tougher global standards on online child safety. In Australia, fines of up to A$49.5m may be imposed on companies failing to enforce the rules effectively.

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WorldLeaks claims massive Nike data leak

Nike has launched an internal investigation following claims by the WorldLeaks cybercrime group that company data was stolen from its systems.

The sportswear giant said it is assessing a potential cybersecurity incident after the group listed Nike on its Tor leak site and published a large volume of files allegedly taken during the intrusion.

WorldLeaks claims to have released approximately 1.4 terabytes of data, comprising more than 188,000 files. The group is known for data theft and extortion tactics, pressuring organisations to pay by threatening public disclosure instead of encrypting systems with ransomware.

The cybercrime operation emerged in 2025 after rebranding from Hunters International, a ransomware gang active since 2023. Increased law enforcement pressure reportedly led the group to abandon encryption-based attacks and focus exclusively on stealing sensitive corporate data.

An incident that adds to growing concerns across the retail and apparel sector, following a recent breach affecting Under Armour that exposed tens of millions of customer records.

Nike has stated that consumer privacy and data protection remain priorities while the investigation continues.

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IMF chief sounds alarm at Davos 2026 over AI and disruption to entry-level labour

AI has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva warned that labour markets are already undergoing rapid structural disruption.

According to Georgieva, demand for skills is shifting unevenly, with productivity gains benefiting some workers while younger people and first-time job seekers face shrinking opportunities.

Entry-level roles are particularly exposed as AI systems absorb routine and clerical tasks traditionally used to gain workplace experience.

Georgieva described the effect on young workers as comparable to a labour-market tsunami, arguing that reduced access to foundational roles risks long-term scarring for an entire generation entering employment.

IMF research suggests AI could affect roughly 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies and 40 percent globally, with only about half of exposed workers likely to benefit.

For others, automation may lead to lower wages, slower hiring and intensified pressure on middle-income roles lacking AI-driven productivity gains.

At Davos 2026, Georgieva warned that the rapid, unregulated deployment of AI in advanced economies risks outpacing public policy responses.

Without clear guardrails and inclusive labour strategies, she argued that technological acceleration could deepen inequality rather than supporting broad-based economic resilience.

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