Network security

Australia reverses its stance and restricts YouTube for children under 16

Australia has announced that YouTube will be banned for children under 16 starting in December, reversing its earlier exemption from strict new social media age rules. The decision follows growing concerns about online harm to young users.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X are already subject to the upcoming restrictions, and YouTube will now join the list of ‘age-restricted social media platforms’.

From 10 December, all such platforms will be required to ensure users are aged 16 or older or face fines of up to AU$50 million (£26 million) for not taking adequate steps to verify age. Although those steps remain undefined, users will not need to upload official documents like passports or licences.

The government has said platforms must find alternatives instead of relying on intrusive ID checks.

Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the policy, stating that four in ten Australian children reported recent harm on YouTube. She insisted the government would not back down under legal pressure from Alphabet Inc., YouTube’s US-based parent company.

Children can still view videos, but won’t be allowed to hold personal YouTube accounts.

YouTube criticised the move, claiming the platform is not social media but a video library often accessed through TVs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would campaign at a UN forum in September to promote global backing for social media age restrictions.

Exemptions will apply to apps used mainly for education, health, messaging, or gaming, which are considered less harmful.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Tea dating app suspends messaging after the major data breach

The women’s dating safety app Tea has suspended its messaging feature following a cyberattack that exposed thousands of private messages, posts and images.

The app, which helps women run background checks on men, confirmed that direct messages were accessed during the initial breach disclosed in late July.

Tea has 1.6 million users, primarily in the US. Affected users will be contacted directly and offered free identity protection services, including credit monitoring and fraud alerts.

The company said it is working to strengthen its security and will provide updates as the investigation continues. Some of the leaked conversations reportedly contain sensitive discussions about infidelity and abortion.

Experts have warned that the leak of both images and messages raises the risk of emotional harm, blackmail or identity theft. Cybersecurity specialists recommend that users accept the free protection services as soon as possible.

The breach affected those who joined the app before February 2024, including users who submitted ID photos that Tea had promised would be deleted after verification.

Tea is known for allowing women to check if a potential partner is married or has a criminal record, as well as share personal experiences to flag abusive or trustworthy behaviour.

The app’s recent popularity surge has also sparked criticism, with some claiming it unfairly targets men. As users await more information, experts urge caution and vigilance.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Hanwha and Samsung lead Korea’s cyber insurance push

South Korea is stepping up efforts to strengthen its cyber insurance sector as corporate cyberattacks surge across industries. A string of major breaches has revealed widespread vulnerability and renewed demand for more comprehensive digital risk protection.

Hanwha General Insurance launched Korea’s first Cyber Risk Management Centre last November and partnered with global cybersecurity firm Theori and law firm Shin & Kim to expand its offerings.

Despite the growing need, the market remains underdeveloped. Cyber insurance makes up only 1 percent of Korea’s accident insurance sector, with a 2024 report estimating local cyber premiums at $50 million, just 0.3 percent of the global total.

Regulators and industry voices call for higher mandatory coverage, clearer underwriting standards, and financial incentives to promote adoption.

As Korean demand rises, comprehensive policies offering tailored options and emergency coverage are gaining traction, with Hanwha reporting a 200 percent revenue jump in under a year.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

DOJ seizes $2.3 million Bitcoin from Chaos ransomware

The US Department of Justice has moved to seize over $2.3 million in Bitcoin tied to a member of the Chaos ransomware group. The funds, taken from a wallet linked to the individual known as ‘Hors’, are alleged to be proceeds of extortion and money laundering.

Chaos operates as a ransomware-as-a-service group, renting its malware to affiliates targeting Windows, Linux, and NAS systems. The group has been active since early 2025 and is known for encrypting victims’ data while demanding crypto payments under threat of public leaks.

US Federal agents accessed the wallet in April using a recovery seed phrase from an older Electrum platform and transferred the assets to a government-controlled address. The DOJ said the operation demonstrates growing success in disrupting ransomware-related crypto flows.

Despite the seizure, challenges remain as such groups evolve their tactics and benefit from the relative anonymity of decentralised platforms. Authorities stress that continued cross-agency cooperation and advances in blockchain forensics are essential in combating future threats.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Google brings AI Mode to UK search results

Google has officially introduced its AI Mode to UK users, calling it the most advanced version of its search engine.

Instead of listing web links, the feature provides direct, human-like answers to queries. It allows users to follow up with more detailed questions or multimedia inputs such as voice and images. The update aims to keep pace with the rising trend of longer, more conversational search phrases.

The tool first launched in the US and uses a ‘query fan-out’ method, breaking down complex questions into multiple search threads to create a combined answer from different sources.

While Google claims this will result in more meaningful site visits, marketers and publishers are worried about a growing trend known as ‘zero-click searches’, where users find what they need without clicking external links.

Research already shows a steep drop in engagement. Data from the Pew Research Centre reveals that only 8% of users click a link when AI summaries are present, nearly half the rate of traditional search pages. Experts warn that without adjusting strategies, many online brands risk becoming invisible.

Instead of relying solely on classic SEO tactics, businesses are being urged to adopt Generative Engine Optimisation. Using tools like schema markup, GEO focuses on conversational content, visual media, and context-aware formatting.

With nearly half of UK users engaging with AI search daily, adapting to these shifts may prove essential for maintaining visibility and sales.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Microsoft adds AI Copilot Mode to Edge browser

Microsoft has launched Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, adding AI features to streamline online activity.

Instead of switching between tabs or manually comparing information, users can ask Copilot to complete tasks, search for content, and make suggestions. The tool is available for PC and Mac users and opens in a side panel, letting people interact with it while still viewing the original page.

Copilot can help with everyday tasks such as writing content, preparing grocery lists, and scheduling appointments. It works across multiple tabs if the user permits, enabling comparisons like hotel or flight prices in a single command.

Voice input is also supported, making it easier for those with limited mobility or less familiarity with AI tools to interact naturally.

Microsoft notes that Copilot Mode remains experimental, but users can still set it as the default. It supports conversational prompts, dynamic interactions like turning recipes vegan, and even measurements or language translations, all without losing browser position.

Users may eventually provide login or history access for more advanced tasks, although full consent and clear notifications will be required.

With growing reliance on digital assistants, Microsoft’s move puts Edge in direct competition with other AI-enabled browsers. As more AI tools become embedded in everyday software, the company expects Copilot to evolve rapidly and suggest next steps to help users pick up where they left off.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI fuels new wave of global security breaches

Global corporations are under growing threat from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks as AI tools boost the capabilities of malicious actors.

Allianz Life recently confirmed a breach affecting most of its 1.4 million North American customers, adding to a string of high-profile incidents this year.

Microsoft is also contending with the aftermath of a wide-scale intrusion, as attackers continue to exploit AI-driven methods to bypass traditional defences.

Cybersecurity firm DeepStrike reports that over 560,000 new malware samples are detected daily, underscoring the scale of the threat.

Each month in 2025 has brought fresh incidents. January saw breaches at the UN and Hewlett-Packard, while crypto lender zkLend lost $9.5 million to hackers in February.

March was marked by a significant attack on Elon Musk’s X platform, and Oracle lost six million data records.

April and May were particularly damaging for retailers and financial services. M&S, Harrods, and Coinbase were among the prominent names hit, with the latter facing a $20 million ransom demand. In June, luxury brands and media companies, including Cartier and the Washington Post, were also targeted.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI chatbot captures veteran workers’ knowledge to support UK care teams

Peterborough City Council has turned the knowledge of veteran therapy practitioner Geraldine Jinks into an AI chatbot to support adult social care workers.

After 35 years of experience, colleagues frequently approached Jinks seeking advice, leading to time pressures despite her willingness to help.

In response, the council developed a digital assistant called Hey Geraldine, built on the My AskAI platform, which mimics her direct and friendly communication style to provide instant support to staff.

Developed in 2023, the chatbot offers practical answers to everyday care-related questions, such as how to support patients with memory issues or discharge planning. Jinks collaborated with the tech team to train the AI, writing all the responses herself to ensure consistency and clarity.

Thanks to its natural tone and humanlike advice, some colleagues even mistook the chatbot for the honest Geraldine.

The council hopes Hey Geraldine will reduce hospital discharge delays and improve patient access to assistive technology. Councillor Shabina Qayyum, who also works as a GP, said the tool empowers staff to help patients regain independence instead of facing unnecessary delays.

The chatbot is seen as preserving valuable institutional knowledge while improving frontline efficiency.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Allianz breach affects most US customers

Allianz Life has confirmed a major cyber breach that exposed sensitive data from most of its 1.4 million customers in North America.

The attack was traced back to 16 July, when a threat actor accessed a third-party cloud system using social engineering tactics.

The cybersecurity breach affected a customer relationship management platform but did not compromise the company’s core network or policy systems.

Allianz Life acted swiftly by notifying the FBI and other regulators, including the attorney general’s office in Maine.

Those impacted are offered two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The company has begun contacting affected individuals but declined to reveal the full number involved due to an ongoing investigation.

No other Allianz subsidiaries were affected by the breach. Allianz Life employs around 2,000 staff in the US and remains a key player within the global insurer’s North American operations.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UK enforces age checks to block harmful online content for children

The United Kingdom has introduced new age verification laws to prevent children from accessing harmful online content, marking a significant shift in digital child protection.

The measures, enforced by media regulator Ofcom, require websites and apps to implement strict age checks such as facial recognition and credit card verification.

Around 6,000 pornography websites have already agreed to the new regulations, which stem from the 2023 Online Safety Act. The rules also target content related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and online violence, instead of just focusing on pornography.

Companies failing to comply risk fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, and senior executives could face criminal charges if they ignore Ofcom’s directives.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described the move as a turning point, saying children will now experience a ‘different internet for the first time’.

Ofcom data shows that around 500,000 children aged eight to fourteen encountered online pornography in just one month, highlighting the urgency of the reforms. Campaigners, including the NSPCC, called the new rules a ‘milestone’, though they warned loopholes could remain.

The UK government is also exploring further restrictions, including a potential daily two-hour time limit on social media use for under-16s. Kyle has promised more announcements soon, as Britain moves to hold tech platforms accountable instead of leaving children exposed to harmful content online.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!