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Australia's government has introduced legislation to ban social media access for children under 16, citing mental health concerns. The bill, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, holds platforms accountable for enforcing the age limit and is expected to pass by the end of the year. The legislation aims to protect children from harmful online content.
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Lee Hsien Yang, brother of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has been granted asylum in the UK, citing fears of persecution from the Singaporean government. This follows a long-standing family feud over their father's estate, particularly the fate of their family home, 38 Oxley Road.
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Recent cases in the UK and China highlight significant issues in adoption practices. In England, a report calls for reforms to improve contact between adopted children and their birth families. Meanwhile, a Chinese man severed ties with his birth family after being abducted as a child, revealing the complexities of familial relationships post-adoption.
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A recent study by Which? reveals that popular smart devices, including air fryers, are collecting excessive personal data, including audio recordings and precise locations. The findings raise concerns about privacy practices among manufacturers, prompting calls for stricter regulations from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, set to publish new guidelines in 2025.
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As AI technology evolves, major companies like Google, Adobe, and Meta are facing scrutiny over their data usage practices. Recent developments indicate potential shifts in regulatory oversight, particularly with the Republican victory and Trump's plans to dismantle Biden's AI Executive Order, raising concerns about the future of AI governance.
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The UK government is set to classify non-consensual intimate images (NCIIs) as illegal under the Online Safety Act, following a significant rise in revenge porn cases. Meanwhile, South Korea is intensifying its crackdown on deepfake pornography, revising laws to impose harsher penalties on offenders.
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Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old American tourist, was reported missing in Budapest on November 5. Her body was discovered after a suspect confessed to her killing. The suspect, an Irish citizen, was detained on November 7 and led police to the location of her body near Lake Balaton.
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The European Commission has fined Meta €798 million for abusing its market dominance by linking Facebook Marketplace to its social network, creating unfair competition for rival classified ad services. Meta plans to appeal the decision, claiming it ignores market realities.
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Donald Trump has nominated Brendan Carr, a current FCC commissioner, as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Carr, a proponent of deregulation and critic of Big Tech, aims to enforce stricter regulations on media and technology companies while promoting free speech.
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As the influencer economy grows, many smaller creators feel sidelined by competition and rising costs. Despite a projected market value of $500 billion by 2027, micro-influencers are struggling with brand deals and algorithm changes, leading some to reconsider their careers in content creation.