Internet of things

US approaches universal 5G as global adoption surges

New data from Omdia and 5G Americas showed rapid global growth in wireless connectivity during the third quarter of 2025, with nearly three billion 5G connections worldwide.

North America remained the most advanced region in terms of adoption, reaching penetration levels that almost match its population.

The US alone recorded 341 million 5G connections, marking one of the highest per capita adoption rates in the world, compared to the global average, which remains far lower.

Analysts noted that strong device availability and sustained investment continue to reinforce the region’s leadership. Enhanced features such as improved uplink performance and integrated sensing are expected to accelerate the shift towards early 5G-Advanced capabilities.

Growth in cellular IoT also remained robust. North America supported more than 270 million connected devices and is forecast to reach nearly half a billion by 2030 as sectors such as manufacturing and utilities expand their use of connected systems.

AI is becoming central to these deployments by managing traffic, automating operations and enabling more innovative industrial applications.

Future adoption is set to intensify as regional 5G connections are projected to surpass 8.6 billion by 2030.

Rising interest in fixed wireless access is driving multi-device usage, offering high-speed connectivity for households and small firms instead of relying solely on fibre networks that remain patchy in many areas.

Globally, the sector has reached more than 78 million connections, with strong annual growth. Analysts believe that expanding infrastructure will support demand for low-latency connectivity, and the addition of satellite-based systems is expected to extend coverage to remote locations.

By mid-November 2025, operators had launched 379 commercial 5G networks worldwide, including seventeen in North America. A similar number of LTE networks operated across the region.

Industry observers said that expanding terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks will form a layered architecture that strengthens resilience, supports emergency response and improves service continuity across land, sea and air.

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Users gain new control with Instagram feed algorithm

Instagram has unveiled a new AI-powered feature called ‘Your Algorithm’, giving users control over the topics shown in their Reels feed. The tool analyses viewing history and allows users to indicate which subjects they want to see more or less of.

The feature displays a summary of each user’s top interests and allows typing in specific topics to fine-tune recommendations in real-time. Instagram plans to expand the tool beyond Reels to Explore and other areas of the app.

Launch started in the US, with a global rollout in English expected soon. The initiative comes amid growing calls for social media platforms to provide greater transparency over algorithmic content and avoid echo chambers.

By enabling users to adjust their feeds directly, Instagram aims to offer more personalised experiences while responding to regulatory pressures and societal concerns over harmful content.

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ChatGPT tops Apple’s 2025 app downloads in the US

Apple has released its annual ranking of the most downloaded apps and games, with ChatGPT taking the top spot among free iPhone apps in the United States for 2025, marking a major moment for AI in mainstream consumer use.

The OpenAI chatbot rose from fourth place last year, surpassing established social platforms and everyday utilities. Its ascent highlights how quickly AI-driven tools have become embedded in daily habits and how they may challenge the dominance of traditional search apps on mobile devices.

Apple’s charts show broader shifts across categories. Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram also ranked highly among free iPhone downloads, while Google’s Gemini entered the top ten, reflecting the growing presence of competing AI assistants in the mobile ecosystem.

Gaming trends remained strong. Block Blast! led the US free iPhone games list, while Minecraft held its position as the top paid title across devices. ChatGPT also became the second-most downloaded free app on iPad, signalling consistent demand for AI across screens.

Apple says the rankings reflect the evolving mix of entertainment, creativity, and productivity tools shaping the App Store landscape, as AI continues to influence how people search, work, and play across its platforms.

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China pushes global leadership on AI governance

Global discussions on artificial intelligence have multiplied, yet the world still lacks a coherent system to manage the technology’s risks. China is attempting to fill that gap by proposing a new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation to coordinate regulation internationally.

Countries face mounting concerns over unsafe AI development, with the US relying on fragmented rules and voluntary commitments from tech firms. The EU has introduced binding obligations through its AI Act, although companies continue to push for weaker oversight.

China’s rapid rollout of safety requirements, including pre-deployment checks and watermarking of AI-generated content, is reshaping global standards as many firms overseas adopt Chinese open-weight models.

A coordinated international framework similar to the structure used for nuclear oversight could help governments verify compliance and stabilise the global AI landscape.

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Online data exposure heightens threats to healthcare workers

Healthcare workers are facing escalating levels of workplace violence, with more than three-quarters reporting verbal or physical assaults, prompting hospitals to reassess how they protect staff from both on-site and external threats.

A new study examining people search sites suggests that online exposure of personal information may worsen these risks. Researchers analysed the digital footprint of hundreds of senior medical professionals, finding widespread availability of sensitive personal data.

The study shows that many doctors appear across multiple data broker platforms, with a significant share listed on five or more sites, making it difficult to track, manage, or remove personal information once it enters the public domain.

Exposure varies by age and geography. Younger doctors tend to have smaller digital footprints, while older professionals are more exposed due to accumulated public records. State-level transparency laws also appear to influence how widely data is shared.

Researchers warn that detailed profiles, often available for a small fee, can enable harassment or stalking at a time when threats against healthcare leaders are rising. The findings renew calls for stronger privacy protections for medical staff.

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Rising UK screen time sparks concerns for wellbeing

UK internet use has risen sharply, with adults spending over four and a half hours a day online in 2025, according to Ofcom’s latest Online Nation report.

Public sentiment has cooled, as fewer people now believe the internet is good for society, despite most still judging its benefits to outweigh the risks.

Children report complex online experiences, with many enjoying their digital time while also acknowledging adverse effects such as the so-called ‘brain rot’ linked to endless scrolling.

Significant portions of young people’s screen time occur late at night on major platforms, raising concerns about well-being.

New rules requiring age checks for UK pornography sites prompted a surge in VPN use as people attempted to bypass restrictions, although numbers have since declined.

Young users increasingly turn to online tools such as ASMR for relaxation, yet many also encounter toxic self-improvement content and body shaming.

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Mitigated ads personalisation coming to Meta platforms in the EU

Meta has agreed to introduce a less personalised ads option for Facebook and Instagram users in the EU, as part of efforts to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act and address concerns over data use and user consent.

Under the revised model, users will be able to access Meta’s social media platforms without agreeing to extensive personal data processing for fully personalised ads. Instead, they can opt for an alternative experience based on significantly reduced data inputs, resulting in more limited ad targeting.

The option is set to roll out across the EU from January 2026. It marks the first time Meta has offered users a clear choice between highly personalised advertising and a reduced-data model across its core platforms.

The change follows months of engagement between Meta and Brussels after the European Commission ruled in April that the company had breached the DMA. Regulators stated that Meta’s previous approach had failed to provide users with a genuine and effective choice over how their data was used for advertising.

Once implemented, the Commission said it will gather evidence and feedback from Meta, advertisers, publishers, and other stakeholders. The goal is to assess the extent to which the new option is adopted and whether it significantly reshapes competition and data practices in the EU digital advertising market.

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New spyware threat alerts issued by Apple and Google

Apple and Google have issued a fresh round of cyber threat notifications, warning users worldwide they may have been targeted by sophisticated surveillance operations linked to state-backed actors.

Apple said it sent alerts on 2 December, confirming it has now notified users in more than 150 countries, though it declined to disclose how many people were affected or who was responsible.

Google followed on 3 December, announcing warnings for several hundred accounts targeted by Intellexa spyware across multiple countries in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

The Alphabet-owned company said Intellexa continues to evade restrictions despite US sanctions, highlighting persistent challenges in limiting the spread of commercial surveillance tools.

Researchers say such alerts raise costs for cyber spies by exposing victims, often triggering investigations that can lead to public scrutiny and accountability over spyware misuse.

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Real-time journalism becomes central to Meta AI strategy

Meta has signed commercial agreements with news publishers to feed real-time reporting into Meta AI, enabling its chatbot to answer news-related queries with up-to-date information from multiple editorial sources.

The company said responses will include links to full articles, directing users to publishers’ websites and helping partners reach new audiences beyond traditional platform distribution.

Initial partners span US and international outlets, covering global affairs, politics, entertainment, and sports, with Meta signalling that additional publishing deals are in the works.

The shift marks a recalibration. Meta previously reduced its emphasis on news across Facebook and ended most publisher payments, but now sees licensed reporting as essential to improving AI accuracy and relevance.

Facing intensifying competition in the AI market, Meta is positioning real-time journalism as a differentiator for its chatbot, which is available across its apps and to users worldwide.

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UK researchers test robotic dogs and AI for early wildfire detection

Researchers at the University of Bradford are preparing to pilot an AI-enabled wildfire detection system that uses robotic dogs, drones, and emerging 6G networks to identify early signs of fire and alert emergency services.

The trial, set to take place in Greece in 2025, is part of the EU-funded 6G-VERSUS research project, which explores how next-generation connectivity can support crisis response.

According to project lead Dr Kamran Mahroof, wildfires have become a ‘pressing global challenge’ due to rising frequency and severity. The team intends to combine sensor data collected by four-legged robotic platforms and aerial drones with AI models capable of analysing smoke, vegetation dryness, and early heat signatures. High-bandwidth 6G links enable the near-instantaneous transmission of this data to emergency responders.

The research received funding earlier this year from the EU’s Horizon Innovation Action programme and was showcased in Birmingham during an event on AI solutions for global risks.

While the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that it does not currently employ AI for wildfire operations, it expressed interest in the project. It described its existing use of drones, mapping tools, and weather modelling for situational awareness.

The Bradford team emphasises that early detection remains the most effective tool for limiting wildfire spread. The upcoming pilot will evaluate whether integrated AI, robotics, and next-generation networks can help emergency services respond more quickly and predict where fires are likely to ignite.

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