Latest posts

  • What does new guidance in the UK say about screen time for children?

    Experts recommend extremely limited use for children under-two amid ‘mounting evidence’ of harmful impact The government has issued new guidance on how much time children below the age of five should spend on screens. Children’s relationships with screens have become one of the key struggles of 21st-century parenting, along with the impact of the content…

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  • Number of AI chatbots ignoring human instructions increasing, study says

    Exclusive: Research finds sharp rise in models evading safeguards and destroying emails without permission AI models that lie and cheat appear to be growing in number with reports of deceptive scheming surging in the last six months, a study into the technology has found. AI chatbots and agents disregarded direct instructions, evaded safeguards and deceived…

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  • Keep under-fives’ screen time to no more than an hour a day, UK advice says

    Keir Starmer promises to help parents limit children’s online activity as government issues guidance to families Children under five should spend no more than an hour a day on screens, new government advice says. Screen time for children under two should be avoided except for shared activities encouraging interaction, families are advised. Continue reading…

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  • I was paid to write fake Google reviews – then my ‘bosses’ tried to scam me

    Undercover reporter gets a taste of the sprawling fraud industry in which cryptocurrencies play a crucial role Five firms including Autotrader and Just Eat investigated over fake review failings The holiday flat near(ish) the Roman ruins of Pompeii was “disgusting”, and smelled of “a mix of dampness and sewage”, according to one reviewer on Google…

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  • New York City hospitals drop Palantir as controversial AI firm expands in UK

    The decision follows activist pressure as Palantir faces growing scrutiny over NHS and UK government deals Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox New York City’s public hospital system announced that it would not be renewing its contract with Palantir as controversy mounts in the UK over…

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  • Charity Commission warns Alan Turing Institute of its legal duties after complaints

    Exclusive: Watchdog issues formal guidance to trustees at top AI research institute after staff expressed concerns The board of the UK’s leading AI research institute has been reminded of its legal duties in areas such as financial oversight and managing organisational change by the charity watchdog after a whistleblower complaint. The Charity Commission issued formal…

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  • Former Google executive Matt Brittin selected to be next BBC director general

    Former Olympic rower to lead corporation as it hammers out future funding model with government The BBC has turned to a former tech executive to steer it through a critical period in its history, as it attempts to navigate government talks over its future and huge changes in media consumption. Matt Brittin, who stepped down…

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  • UK iPhone users face over-18 age check to use services after update

    Ofcom says decision is ‘real win for children and families’ but some users raise concerns over privacy Millions of Apple iPhone customers in the UK will now have to confirm they are 18 or older to use all available services, including by showing a credit card or by scanning an ID. The move, believed to…

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  • What are the rules on cryptocurrency donations to UK political parties?

    Temporary ban on crypto donations is being introduced after review into countering foreign interference in politics Ministers are introducing a temporary ban in cryptocurrency donations following an official review. Philip Rycroft, a former senior civil servant, made the recommendation as part of a review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. Continue…

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  • Hundreds of UK teenagers to trial six-week social media curbs for major study

    Government’s pilot ban for under-16s accompanies consultation as peers vote on Australia-style restrictions Hundreds of UK teenagers will trial social media bans, digital curfews and time limits on apps under a government pilot, which will run alongside a consultation to decide whether the UK should ban access to social media for the under-16s. During the…

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