Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has set a 31 March deadline for social media and online platforms to submit a risk assessment on the likelihood of users encountering illegal content. This move follows new laws passed last year requiring companies such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as ByteDance’s TikTok, to take action against criminal activities on their platforms. Under the Online Safety Act, these firms must assess and address the risks of offences like terrorism, hate crimes, child sexual exploitation, and financial fraud.
The risk assessment must evaluate how likely it is for users to come across illegal content, or how user-to-user services could facilitate criminal activities. Ofcom has warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in enforcement actions against the companies. The new regulations aim to make online platforms safer and hold them accountable for the content shared on their sites.
The deadline is part of the UK‘s broader push to regulate online content and enhance user safety. Social media giants are now facing stricter scrutiny to ensure they are addressing potential risks associated with their platforms and protecting users from harmful content.
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The founder of cryptocurrency financial services firm Gotbit has been extradited from Portugal to the United States to face charges of market manipulation and fraud.
Aleksei Andriunin, a 26-year-old Russian national, appeared in a Boston court, where he pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors allege his company engaged in sham trading to artificially inflate the value of digital tokens.
Authorities claim that between 2018 and 2024, Gotbit manipulated cryptocurrency trading volumes through a practice known as ‘wash trading’. The FBI’s ‘Operation Token Mirrors‘ played a key role in the investigation, reportedly using its own digital token to detect fraudulent activities.
Gotbit allegedly facilitated wash trades worth millions and profited tens of millions of dollars by boosting the market appeal of cryptocurrencies such as Saitama and Robo Inu.
Andriunin was arrested in Portugal in October when US authorities first announced charges against him and others. His company and two employees in Russia also face legal action, though they have not yet appeared in court.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on fraud in the cryptocurrency sector.
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United States officials are reviewing whether the UK breached a bilateral agreement by reportedly pressuring Apple to create a ‘backdoor’ for government access to encrypted iCloud backups.
Apple recently withdrew an encrypted storage feature for UK users following reports that it had refused to comply with such demands, which could have affected users worldwide. The Washington Post reported that Apple rejected the UK government’s request.
The US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, confirmed in a letter to lawmakers that a legal review is underway to determine if the UK violated the CLOUD Act.
Under the agreement, neither the US nor the United Kingdom can demand data access for citizens or residents of the other country. Initial legal assessments suggest the UK’s reported demands may have overstepped its authority under the agreement.
Apple has long defended its encryption policies, arguing that creating a backdoor for government access would weaken security and leave user data vulnerable to hackers. Cybersecurity experts warn that any such backdoor, once created, would inevitably be exploited.
The tech giant has clashed with regulators over encryption before, notably in 2016 when it resisted US government efforts to unlock a terrorism suspect’s iPhone.
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Vodafone UK has teamed up with IBM to explore quantum-safe cryptography as part of a new Proof of Concept (PoC) test for its mobile and broadband services, particularly for users of its ‘Secure Net’ anti-malware service. While quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, they could eventually break current internet encryption methods. In anticipation of this, Vodafone and IBM are testing how to integrate new post-quantum cryptographic standards into Vodafone’s existing Secure Net service, which already protects millions of users from threats like phishing and malware.
IBM’s cryptography experts have co-developed two algorithms now recognised in the US National Institute of Standards and Technology’s first post-quantum cryptography standards. This collaboration, supported by Akamai Technologies, aims to make Vodafone’s services more resilient against future quantum computing risks. Vodafone’s Head of R&D, Luke Ibbetson, stressed the importance of future-proofing digital security to ensure customers can continue enjoying safe internet experiences.
Although the PoC is still in its feasibility phase, Vodafone hopes to implement quantum-safe cryptography across its networks and products soon, ensuring stronger protection for both business and consumer users.
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Britain’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has launched an investigation into the child privacy practices of TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. The ICO is scrutinising how these platforms manage personal data and age verification for users, particularly teenagers, to ensure they comply with UK data protection laws.
The investigation focuses on TikTok’s use of data from 13-17-year-olds to recommend content via its algorithm. The ICO is also examining how Reddit and Imgur assess and protect the privacy of child users. If evidence of legal breaches is found, the ICO will take action, as it did in 2023 when TikTok was fined £12.7 million for mishandling data from children under 13.
Both Reddit and Imgur have expressed a commitment to adhering to UK regulations. Reddit, for example, stated that it plans to roll out updates to meet new age-assurance requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok and Imgur have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The investigation comes amid stricter UK legislation aimed at safeguarding children online, including measures requiring social media platforms to limit harmful content and enforce age checks to prevent underage access to inappropriate material.
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OpenAI has rolled out a research preview of its latest GPT-4.5 model for Pro users, with plans to extend access to a wider audience over the next few weeks. The upgraded model boasts better pattern recognition, enhanced emotional intelligence, and an improved ability to generate creative insights.
The new version of GPT-4.5 also addresses a common issue with AI models, ‘hallucinations’ or the generation of false information, reducing its rate to 37.1%, compared to previous models’ higher rates. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman acknowledged some logistical challenges in the rollout, including GPU shortages, but assured users that more resources would be added soon.
While GPT-4.5 can handle tasks such as coding and content creation, it currently lacks some advanced features, such as voice and video capabilities. As OpenAI expands its offering, the company continues to refine the model to meet the growing demand for more powerful AI tools.
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The Philippine Army has acknowledged a cyberattack after a local hacking group claimed responsibility for breaching its systems and accessing sensitive documents.
Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala confirmed the event, describing it as an “illegal access attempt” that was quickly contained. While the group behind the attack has been identified, no damage or data theft has been reported at this time.
Earlier this week, the Philippine digital security advocacy group Deep Web Konek reported that the hacker group Exodus Security claimed to have compromised 10,000 records of active and retired service members. The leaked information allegedly includes personal and military data, such as names, ranks, addresses, medical records, financial information, and criminal histories. However, the authenticity and exact scope of the data have yet to be independently verified.
Philippine authorities have also reported recent attempts by foreign actors to access intelligence data. Minister for Information and Communications Ivan Uy stated that foreign state-sponsored hackers had attempted but failed to infiltrate government systems.
In January, authorities arrested a Chinese national and two Filipino citizens accused of surveilling critical infrastructure, including military sites.
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Canada’s privacy commissioner has opened an investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, to examine whether the company’s use of personal data for training AI models complies with federal privacy laws. The investigation follows a complaint about the platform’s collection, use, and disclosure of Canadians’ data.
X has been under scrutiny since its rebranding from Twitter, with concerns mounting over the platform’s data practices, especially in relation to AI. Generative AI models, such as Grok, the chatbot developed by Musk’s AI firm xAI, require large volumes of data to function effectively. As part of its probe, the privacy office will look into how this data is being handled and whether it breaches Canadian privacy protections.
The investigation has drawn political attention, with opposition lawmaker Brian Masse urging the privacy commissioner to take action. Masse highlighted the need for transparency, particularly as AI algorithms could potentially be manipulated to spread misinformation. This inquiry comes at a time of heightened tension between Canada and the United States over various trade and digital issues.
X, which has not yet responded to requests for comment, faces growing pressure as regulators worldwide scrutinise tech giants’ data practices, especially in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
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Meta Platforms is seeking to raise $35 billion to help fund the development of its data centres in the US, with Apollo Global Management reportedly leading the financing. The need for increased computational power to support AI systems has driven Meta to focus heavily on expanding its AI infrastructure. The company has already committed to spending up to $65 billion this year on AI development.
The financing deal comes as Meta continues to build new data centres, including a planned $10 billion AI hub in Louisiana, US. The Louisiana centre will run on renewable energy, in partnership with the local utility provider Entergy. Despite the growing demand for data centre space, industry scepticism remains, especially regarding the financial returns from such large-scale investments.
Meta’s push for more AI infrastructure highlights the competitive race among tech companies to meet the rising demand for AI capabilities, with the company planning further expansions in the coming years.
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Apple has rolled out a new feature called ‘age assurance’ to help protect children’s privacy while using apps. The technology allows parents to input their child’s age when setting up an account without disclosing sensitive information like birthdays or government IDs. Instead, parents can share a general ‘age range’ with app developers, putting them in control of what data is shared.
This move comes amid growing pressure from US lawmakers, including those in Utah and South Carolina, who are considering age-verification laws for social media apps. Apple has expressed concerns about collecting sensitive personal data for such verifications, arguing it would require users to hand over unnecessary details for apps that don’t require it.
The age assurance tool allows parents to maintain control over their children’s data while limiting what third parties can access. Meta, which has supported legislation for app stores to verify children’s ages, welcomed the new tech as a step in the right direction, though it raised concerns about its practical implementation.
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