Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation

YouTube has announced its compliance with Australia's new age verification laws, which will restrict access to social media for individuals under 16, set to take effect on December 10, 2025. This decision follows similar actions by other platforms like Meta and X, amid growing concerns about online safety for minors.

A small group of women successfully advocated for the new Data (Use and Access) Act, which criminalizes intimate image abuse, marking a significant legislative victory in the fight against deepfake pornography. This law aims to protect individuals from the unauthorized use of their images in harmful contexts, addressing a growing concern in the digital age.

The European Union is conducting a probe into Elon Musk's platform, X, as part of its efforts to finalize regulatory measures before the year's end. This investigation highlights the EU's ongoing scrutiny of major digital platforms and their compliance with European regulations.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has explored potential deals to either acquire or partner with a rocket company, aiming to establish a competitor to Elon Musk's SpaceX. This move reflects Altman's ambition to expand OpenAI's influence beyond artificial intelligence into the aerospace sector.

A partially reusable Chinese rocket, developed by a local startup, crash-landed shortly after launch, as reported by state media. This incident highlights the significant challenges China faces in advancing its space technology to compete with established players like SpaceX, led by Elon Musk.

Researchers have identified 354 accounts on TikTok that generated 4.5 billion views in a month through AI-generated content, including anti-immigrant and sexualized material. This alarming trend highlights the potential misuse of generative AI tools in spreading harmful narratives.

Tesla has privately alerted the UK government that any weakening of electric vehicle regulations could adversely affect battery car sales and jeopardize the nation's carbon dioxide reduction targets. The warning was revealed through documents obtained from a government consultation earlier this year.

The prevalence of 'nudify' apps among students has led to alarming incidents, including a case where a teenage boy used such an app to alter an image of a girl from a neighboring school, causing distress among peers. Reports indicate that many teachers have encountered similar instances, highlighting a growing trend in deepfake pornography within educational settings.