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Meta faces backlash over AI policy that lets bots have ‘sensual’ conversations with children
US senator Josh Hawley opened investigation into the tech giant, which said it had removed the policy guidelines A backlash is brewing against Meta over what it permits its AI chatbots to say. An internal Meta policy document, seen by Reuters, showed the social media giant’s guidelines for its chatbots allowed the AI to “engage…
FBI and NSPCC alarmed at ‘shocking’ rise in online sextortion of children
Snapchat logged about 20,000 cases last year of adults grooming children online, more than other social media platforms combined Tech companies including Snapchat and Facebook reported more than 9,600 cases of adults grooming children online in the UK in just six months last year – the equivalent of about 400 a week. Law enforcement agencies,…
Big tech has spent $155bn on AI this year. It’s about to spend hundreds of billions more
Tech giants have spent more on AI than the US government has on education, jobs and social services in 2025 so far The US’s largest companies have spent 2025 locked in a competition to spend more money than one another, lavishing $155bn on the development of artificial intelligence, more than the US government has spent…
How will Australia’s under-16s social media ban be enforced, and which platforms will be exempt?
No prescribed avenue for social media companies to check users’ ages, but options include facial estimation technology and matching photos with ID Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australians using a range of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and X will need to have their age checked…
Zuckerberg claims ‘superintelligence is now in sight’ as Meta lavishes billions on AI
In advance of Meta’s quarterly earnings report, CEO says his company aims to bring powerful AI into the lives of millions Whether it’s poaching top talent away from competitors, acquiring AI startups or proclaiming that it will build data centers the size of Manhattan, Meta has been on a spending spree to boost its artificial…
As Australia’s teen social media ban looms, here’s how the platforms are lobbying for an exemption
Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are running ads and events saying their services are safe for children – with the possibility of a legal challenge Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Australian government will imminently announce which social media platforms will be included in the under-16s ban. The social…
18 months. 12,000 questions. A whole lot of anxiety. What I learned from reading students’ ChatGPT logs
Students increasingly use AI chatbots for anything from academic queries to emotional quandaries. But are they missing out on the chance to make their own mistakes? Three undergrads reveal all … Student life is hard. Making new friends is hard. Writing essays is hard. Admin is hard. Budgeting is hard. Finding out what trousers exist…
The real winners from Trump’s ‘AI action plan’? Tech companies
Millions spent by Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and others appear to have paid off as president vows to cut red tape Donald Trump’s AI summit in Washington this week was a fanfare-filled event catered to the tech elite. The president took the stage on Wednesday evening, as the song God Bless the USA piped over the…