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As of October 7, 2024, new regulations mandate banks to reimburse victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud up to £85,000. The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has introduced these changes to enhance consumer protection against rising digital fraud, which has seen significant increases in recent years.
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Apple has launched the iPhone 16, its first AI-powered smartphone, featuring a new camera control button and the promise of Apple Intelligence. However, key AI features will not be available until next month, leading to mixed reactions from consumers and analysts amid rising competition from Huawei and others.
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The U.S. has indicted two employees of Russian state media RT for allegedly funding a $10 million disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the 2024 presidential election. This follows a broader crackdown on foreign interference, particularly from Russia, which has been accused of using state media to sow discord among American voters.
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Apple's iPhone 16 series launched on September 16, 2024, but the highly anticipated AI features, branded as Apple Intelligence, will not be available until October. Early pre-order sales have declined by 12.7% compared to the previous year's iPhone 15, raising concerns about the device's competitiveness against rivals like Huawei.
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Elon Musk is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027, with a wealth growth rate of 110%. Gautam Adani and others may follow by 2028. The report raises concerns about wealth inequality and environmental impact.
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In a recent interview, Donald Trump revealed that Mark Zuckerberg called him to express admiration after Trump's assassination attempt at a rally in July. Zuckerberg reportedly stated he could not support a Democrat in the upcoming election. However, Meta clarified that Zuckerberg has not endorsed any candidate.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to introduce legislation imposing age limits for social media access, likely between 14 and 16 years. This initiative aims to protect young people's mental health and will include an age verification trial. The legislation is expected to be introduced before the next election.
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A recent Ofcom study reveals that for the first time, online news sources have overtaken television in popularity among UK adults, with 71% accessing news online compared to 70% via TV. Despite this shift, traditional media remains more trusted than online platforms.
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OpenAI has unveiled its new AI model, o1, designed to enhance reasoning capabilities for complex tasks in math, science, and coding. The model, which includes a smaller version called o1-mini, aims to improve efficiency while adhering to safety guidelines. The rollout begins today for select users.
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TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, are contesting a US law mandating the sale of TikTok's US operations by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. The law, signed by President Biden, is rooted in national security concerns regarding Chinese ownership. The case is currently before the US Court of Appeals.
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Ireland's Data Protection Commission has launched an inquiry into Google's Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2) to assess compliance with GDPR. The investigation focuses on whether Google evaluated the risks to individuals' rights from processing personal data for AI development. This scrutiny reflects a broader trend of regulatory oversight on AI systems in Europe.
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The fentanyl crisis continues to escalate, with recent cases highlighting the need for accountability among drug dealers and improved education for teens. Families are pursuing legal action against dealers, while students are taking initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills. The situation calls for urgent public health measures.
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Meta has announced plans to use UK users' public Facebook and Instagram posts to train its AI models, despite ongoing privacy concerns. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will monitor the initiative, which allows users to opt out of data usage. The plans remain paused in the EU due to regulatory issues.
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Amazon has announced a new policy requiring corporate employees to return to the office five days a week starting January 2, 2025. This decision, which reverses the previous hybrid model, aims to enhance collaboration and preserve company culture, but has sparked significant employee discontent.
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Labour's Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has announced plans for an Employment Rights Bill aimed at enhancing workers' rights, including a default right to flexible working and protections against unfair dismissal. This comes as Amazon mandates a full return to office work, igniting a debate on workplace culture and productivity.
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On September 17, 2024, Meta announced a global ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, across its platforms. This decision follows U.S. allegations of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns linked to the Kremlin, particularly in relation to the upcoming presidential election.
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Instagram has announced new 'Teen Accounts' with stricter privacy settings and parental controls, aimed at protecting users under 18. The changes come amid increasing regulatory pressure and concerns over online safety for children, particularly in light of the Kids Online Safety Act gaining traction in Congress.
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Instagram has launched new features for teen accounts aimed at enhancing safety and privacy for users under 18. These changes include default private settings, restricted messaging, and parental controls. The updates come amid increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups regarding the platform's impact on youth mental health.
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Meta has announced new privacy settings for Instagram accounts of users under 18, aimed at reducing exposure to harmful content. These changes include private accounts by default, restricted messaging, and parental controls, set to roll out in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia within 60 days.
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A Microsoft report reveals that Russian disinformation campaigns are targeting Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November elections. Fake videos and websites have been created to discredit her and her campaign, reflecting a strategic pivot by foreign adversaries as the election approaches.
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Google is embroiled in multiple antitrust cases in the EU and US, with recent court rulings impacting its advertising practices. The EU's General Court annulled a €1.5 billion fine while the US Justice Department seeks to break up Google's ad tech business, alleging monopolistic practices.
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On September 18, 2024, Ukraine targeted a significant military warehouse in Toropets, Russia, destroying munitions including Iskander and Tochka-U missiles. The attack resulted in massive explosions and fires, showcasing Ukraine's capability to strike deep within Russian territory amid ongoing conflict. This incident has implications for Russia's military logistics and operations.
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Recent discussions among tech leaders and the Biden administration highlight the urgent need for massive data centers to support AI development. OpenAI proposes facilities consuming as much power as entire cities, raising concerns about energy infrastructure and environmental impact. Major firms like Microsoft and Nvidia are investing heavily to meet this demand.
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The board of 23andMe has resigned following CEO Anne Wojcicki's failure to present a viable plan to take the company private. Wojcicki expressed disappointment over the resignations, emphasizing her commitment to the company's mission despite its declining stock value and recent controversies. The company faces significant challenges as its market capitalization dwindles.
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An inquiry in Australia has heard calls to raise the minimum age for social media access to 18, mirroring restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. Advocates argue this would protect children from online harm, while some organizations caution against blanket bans due to enforcement challenges. The inquiry's recommendations are expected in November 2024.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden to present a 'victory plan' aimed at securing military aid amid rising tensions with Russia. The plan includes requests for long-range missile capabilities and additional support as the US approaches a pivotal presidential election.
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OpenAI and Meta have unveiled significant updates to their AI technologies, focusing on voice capabilities and user interaction. OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode allows for more natural conversations, while Meta introduces celebrity voices for its AI assistant. These developments reflect a broader trend towards integrating AI into everyday applications.
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Meta is testing AI-generated content on Facebook and Instagram, including images of users based on their interests. This has raised concerns about privacy and user consent, especially following a viral hoax claiming users could opt out by sharing a post. The company insists users can object through account settings.
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Meta has unveiled the Meta Quest 3S, a more affordable version of its VR headset, at Meta Connect. The device features a Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor, but compromises on display quality and lens technology. Pre-orders are available now, with shipping starting on October 13.
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At the Meta Connect 2024 event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Orion AR glasses, a prototype aimed at revolutionizing augmented reality. The glasses feature advanced technology and are projected to be commercially available by 2027. Additionally, updates to existing products, including the Quest 3S headset, were announced.
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Meta has introduced its Orion augmented reality glasses, a prototype designed to project digital objects onto the real world. Announced at the Meta Connect event, these glasses aim to redefine AR technology by offering a lightweight alternative to traditional headsets. Testing will begin with select audiences before a consumer launch.
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On October 6, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1047, which aimed to impose safety regulations on large AI models. The bill faced criticism for potentially stifling innovation while supporters argued it was necessary for public safety. Newsom emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach to AI regulation, citing concerns over its impact on the tech industry.
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As AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human-created material, concerns grow over misinformation and ethical implications. Experts warn that detection tools are inadequate, while tech companies struggle with labeling and transparency. New AI models aim to improve reasoning but raise questions about accountability and trust.