WhatsApp reduces minimum age to 13 in UK/EU, Apple eases self-repair policy
Children as young as nine have been added to malicious WhatsApp groups promoting self-harm, sexual violence and racism, a BBC investigation has found. Thousands of parents with children at schools across Tyneside have been sent a warning issued by Northumbria Police. One parent said her 12-year-old daughter had viewed sexual images, racism and swearing that…
Microsoft to open AI office in London, Spotify launches AI Playlist tool
Microsoft is opening a new office in London dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) research and development. The tech firm's AI boss Mustafa Suleyman said it will advertise roles for "exceptional individuals" in the coming weeks and months. But he has not said how many jobs will be created. Microsoft is a major investor in ChatGPT-creator…
X reinstates some free blue ticks, Disney+ cracks down on password sharing
X has caused confusion by reinstating free blue ticks for some users - a year after it began charging for the service. For years, Twitter blue ticks effectively served as verification badges and were given to celebrities, politicians, journalists, and other influential accounts for free. However, months after Elon Musk purchased Twitter for $44bn (£38bn) in October…
Google considers charging for AI content, ‘Invisibility Cloak’ becomes reality
Google, the search engine used by more than a billion people around the world, is reported to be considering charging for premium content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The company, owned by Alphabet Inc, is said to be revamping its business model and looking at putting some of its core product behind a paywall. It…
9 in 10 neurodivergent employees report burnout in tech sector
90% of female neurodivergent employees are experiencing burnout in the tech sector, according to the latest research by social enterprise Code First Girls. In the UK alone, there are 5 million people who consider themselves to be neurodivergent - but only 120,000 have been formally diagnosed. This is a particular issue for women -…
How To Avoid Being Scammed On Facebook Marketplace
As the popularity of online marketplaces continues to soar, Facebook Marketplace has emerged as a go-to destination for buying and selling a wide range of goods. However, amidst the plethora of legitimate sellers lie deceptive scammers waiting to prey on unsuspecting buyers. To help you steer clear of potential scams and protect your hard-earned…
Tesla sales fall sharply, Amazon scraps ‘just walk out’ tech in US
Tesla has reported a sharp fall in worldwide sales amid increased competition and slowing demand for electric vehicles. The carmaker said it delivered 386,810 vehicles during the first quarter of the year - down nearly 9% on the 423,000 it shipped from January to March last year. It marks the first year-on-year quarterly sales decline…
5 ways savers can make most of their money before end of tax year
Spring has sprung and that means we’re nearing the end of the tax year. The official end date is April 5 and the new tax year begins on April 6. So, with only a few days left of the 2023/24 tax year, there’s never been a better time to get your finances in order. This…
Exercising cuts risk of insomnia, 8 million UK jobs will be lost to AI
Exercising at least twice a week significantly cuts the risk of insomnia, according to a study. It found people who worked out regularly were 42% less likely to have trouble getting to sleep and 22% less likely to report any insomnia symptoms. Those who keep up exercise long term were found to be 55% more…
Which? testing exposes dubious eco-friendly toilet roll claims
Claims by fashionable bamboo toilet roll brands about the composition of their products have been called into question by Which?, after it found some only contain tiny amounts of the eco-friendly material. The consumer watchdog carried out fibre-composition testing on five popular brands claiming to be made from “bamboo only” or “100% bamboo”, a fibre…
