Dartmouth College researchers have trialled an AI chatbot, Therabot, designed to assist with mental health care. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, the app was tested on individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and those at risk for eating disorders.
The results showed encouraging improvements, with users reporting up to a 51% reduction in depression and a 31% decrease in anxiety. These outcomes were comparable to traditional outpatient therapy.
The trial also revealed that Therabot was effective in helping individuals with eating disorder risks, leading to a 19% reduction in harmful thoughts about body image and weight issues.
Researchers noted that after eight weeks of engagement with the app, participants showed significant symptom reduction, marking progress comparable to standard cognitive therapy.
While Therabot’s success offers hope, experts highlight the importance of balancing AI with human oversight, especially in sensitive mental health applications.
The study’s authors emphasised that while AI can help improve access to therapy, particularly for those unable to access in-person care, generative AI tools must be used cautiously, as errors could have serious consequences for individuals at risk of self-harm.
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The tech firm Advanced, which provides services to the NHS, has been fined over £3 million by the UK data watchdog following a major ransomware attack in 2022.
The breach disrupted NHS systems and exposed personal data from tens of thousands across the country.
Originally facing a £6 million penalty, Advanced saw the fine halved after settling with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Regulators said the firm failed to implement multi-factor authentication, allowing hackers to access systems using stolen login details.
The LockBit attack caused widespread outages, including access to UK patient data. While Advanced acknowledged the resolution, it declined to offer further comment or name a spokesperson when contacted.
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OnlyFans’ parent company, Fenix, has been fined £1.05 million by UK regulator Ofcom for providing inaccurate information about how it verifies users’ ages. The platform, known for hosting adult content, had claimed its age-checking technology flagged anyone under 23 for additional ID checks.
However, it was later revealed the system was set to flag those under 20, prompting Ofcom to take enforcement action. Ofcom said Fenix failed in its legal obligation to provide accurate details, undermining the regulator’s ability to assess platform safety.
While Fenix accepted the penalty — leading to a 30% reduction in the fine — Ofcom stressed the importance of holding platforms to high standards, especially when protecting minors online. The investigation began in 2022 under UK regulations that predate the Online Safety Act, which is due to take full effect this year.
Why does it matter?
The act will require stronger age verification measures from platforms like OnlyFans, with a July 2025 deadline for full compliance. OnlyFans responded by affirming its commitment to transparency and welcomed the resolution of the case. While best known for adult subscriptions, the platform hosts mainstream content and launched a non-pornographic streaming service in 2023.
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Government plans to embed AI across public services face serious challenges due to outdated IT systems, insufficient funding, and a shortage of skilled workers, MPs have warned.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that over 20 legacy systems still await financial support for upgrades, with nearly a third of central government systems considered obsolete as of 2024.
While the government has outlined an ambitious AI strategy to improve efficiency and stimulate economic growth, including the recruitment of 2,000 new tech apprentices, the PAC report casts doubt on the public sector’s readiness.
The committee highlighted ongoing digital skills shortages, driven partly by uncompetitive pay compared to the private sector, and raised concerns over the lack of transparent systems to track and assess AI-driven decisions.
The PAC urged the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to set a clear funding plan within six months for the most at-risk systems and warned that failing to act could lead to greater costs down the line.
It also called for stronger leadership, better oversight of AI pilot schemes, and increased public transparency to build trust in how government uses AI.
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WhatsApp has gained support from an adviser to the European Court of Justice in its fight against a higher fine imposed by the EU privacy watchdog.
The Irish Data Protection Authority fined WhatsApp 225 million euros ($242.2 million) in 2021 for privacy breaches.
The fine was increased after the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) intervened.
A lower tribunal had rejected WhatsApp’s challenge, saying the company lacked legal standing. However, WhatsApp appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Advocate General Tamara Capeta disagreed with the tribunal, recommending that the case be referred back to the General Court for further review.
The CJEU usually follows the adviser’s recommendations, and a final ruling is expected soon. This case could have significant implications for the fine imposed on WhatsApp.
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US President Donald Trump has indicated he is willing to reduce tariffs on China as part of a deal with ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the popular short-video app.
ByteDance faces an April 5 deadline to divest TikTok’s US operations or risk a nationwide ban over national security concerns.
The law mandating the sale stems from fears in Washington that Beijing could exploit the app for influence operations and data collection on American users.
Trump suggested he may extend the deadline if negotiations require more time and acknowledged China’s role in the deal’s approval. Speaking to reporters, he hinted that tariff reductions could be used as leverage to finalise an agreement.
China’s commerce ministry responded by reaffirming its stance on trade discussions, stating that engagement with Washington should be based on mutual respect and benefit.
The White House has taken an active role in brokering a potential sale, with discussions centring on major non-Chinese investors increasing their stakes to acquire TikTok’s US operations. Vice President JD Vance has expressed confidence that a framework for the deal could be reached by the April deadline.
Free speech advocates, meanwhile, continue to challenge the law, arguing that banning TikTok could violate the First Amendment rights of American users.
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Signal’s president, Meredith Whittaker, defended the app’s security after top US officials mistakenly included a journalist in an encrypted chat about military action in Yemen.
While not addressing the incident directly, Whittaker reiterated Signal’s status as the ‘gold standard in private communications’ and highlighted its open-source, nonprofit model. The app is widely used for its strong encryption, which protects both message content and metadata, unlike some competitors.
Signal has gained popularity in the United States and Europe as a more private alternative to WhatsApp. Data from Sensor Tower shows a 16% rise in US downloads in early 2025 compared to the previous quarter and a 25% increase year-on-year.
Whittaker previously criticised WhatsApp for collecting metadata, which she argued could reveal communication patterns. WhatsApp defended its practices, stating that metadata helps prevent spam and abuse while insisting it does not track personal messages for advertising.
The security lapse involving US officials has renewed debate over encrypted messaging platforms and their vulnerabilities. Signal’s strict privacy measures contrast with WhatsApp’s approach, which retains some metadata for security purposes.
As more users prioritise privacy, Signal continues to grow, with advocates praising its encryption technology and lack of corporate data collection.
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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the incident in which sensitive military plans for a strike against Yemen’s Houthis were mistakenly shared in a group chat that included a journalist. Trump referred to it as ‘the only glitch in two months’ and insisted that it was ‘not a serious’ issue.
The development, which surprised him when first questioned by reporters, has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers accusing the administration of mishandling sensitive information.
The lapse occurred when US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz unintentionally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a group chat with 18 high-ranking officials discussing military strike plans.
Waltz admitted to the mistake and accepted full responsibility, stating that an aide had mistakenly added Goldberg’s contact to the conversation.
The incident, which took place over the Signal app, has raised concerns due to the app’s public availability and its use for discussing such sensitive matters.
While Trump continued to express support for Waltz, Democratic critics, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have voiced strong disapproval.
Clinton, commenting on the breach, highlighted the irony of the situation, given Trump’s previous criticisms of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for sensitive material.
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Brazil’s data protection agency, the National Data Protection Authority (ANDP), has upheld its ban on World, formerly known as Worldcoin, in the country.
The ban prevents the company from offering financial compensation to users who provide biometric data, specifically iris scans. ANDP rejected a petition from World ID developer, Tools For Humanity, to review the restriction.
The agency’s decision comes after concerns that providing financial rewards for biometric data could undermine users’ ability to consent.
The company now faces a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian reais ($8,800) if it resumes data collection activities. Concerns over privacy violations tied to the project’s biometric data collection were mounting at the time.
While World ID has faced opposition in Brazil, the push for digital identity solutions continues in other regions. Some companies are finding ways to develop digital identity solutions without infringing on privacy or facing regulatory pushback.
Billions Network launched a platform using zero-knowledge verification technology. It has already been tested by major financial institutions.
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Cybercriminals stole billions of login credentials last year using infostealer malware, putting businesses worldwide at serious risk.
These malicious tools quietly harvest passwords and session tokens from infected devices, often within minutes.
To fight back, companies must use strong multi-factor authentication, store passwords in dedicated managers, and protect devices with advanced endpoint security.
Simple browser-stored logins are no longer safe, and attackers are getting better at bypassing weak defences.
Reducing session lifespans, using hardware-backed logins, and training staff to spot phishing threats are all key to staying secure.
By combining tech with human vigilance, organisations can stay ahead of attackers and safeguard their systems and data.
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