From Guardian Technology · 40 stories
Disney Partners with TikTok to Bring Fan-Made Videos to Disney+ Verts
Disney has partnered with TikTok to allow creators to use clips from Disney's franchises, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, in their short-form videos. These fan-created videos will be featured on both TikTok and the Disney+ "Verts" short-form video feed, starting with a pilot program in the U.S. before expanding to other markets. This collaboration aims to integrate fan-made content into Disney's platforms and engage with a wider audience.
Tesla Reports Increased Revenue and Deliveries, but Lower-Than-Expected Profits in Q2
Tesla reported second-quarter revenues of $28.2 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, with vehicle deliveries up 25% to 480,126 units. Despite exceeding revenue expectations, net income rose only 5% to $1.11 billion, and earnings per share were 31 cents, below the 51 cents predicted by Wall Street, due to increased operating expenses and significant investments in AI and robotics.
Ofcom Probes TikTok's Child Safety Due to Age Verification Concerns
UK regulator Ofcom is investigating TikTok's age verification methods under the Online Safety Act 2023. Concerns revolve around TikTok's use of 'age inference' technology, which might not adequately identify minors and expose them to harmful content. TikTok claims compliance with safety obligations, while Ofcom's findings could result in significant penalties if failures are confirmed.
Meta Faces Lawsuit Over AI-Driven Layoff Decisions Allegedly Discriminating Against Leave-Takers
Twenty-six former Meta employees have filed a lawsuit claiming biased AI systems were used for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on protected leave. The suit alleges that AI tools ranked employees for layoffs without accounting for leave-related absences or disabilities, leading to possible violations of federal and state discrimination laws.
EU Mandates AI Content Labeling and Transparency Under AI Act
The European Union's AI Act now requires AI-generated images, audio, and text designed to appear authentic to be labeled as AI-made, effective August 2 for new systems and with an additional four months for existing ones. This regulation aims to combat deceptive content and misinformation, ensuring users are aware when interacting with AI or AI-created media.
AI Trade Drives Mixed Results in Wall Street Amid Cybersecurity Stock Rise
The stock market experienced mixed outcomes during the holiday-shortened week, influenced by AI-related trades and geopolitical tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high before pulling back, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains. Cybersecurity stocks improved with investors anticipating more AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, despite semiconductor volatility. Renewed US-Iran tensions contributed to market uncertainty.
Spotify to Label AI-Generated Artists and Exclude Them from Recommendations
Spotify will introduce "AI Persona" labels for artists whose identities are AI-generated, starting in mid-September. These labeled artists will be excluded from Spotify's editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default, aiming to differentiate human artists from AI creations and address the influx of AI-generated content on the platform.
Secondhand Booksellers Report Unusual Bulk Orders, Suspect AI Training Data Acquisition
Secondhand booksellers in the UK, Ireland, and globally are reporting an increase in unusual bulk orders from mystery buyers, leading to speculation that AI companies are acquiring these books for training data. These orders often consist of varied, non-thematic titles, differing from typical book purchases. This trend follows a 2025 US court ruling that determined using purchased books for AI training does not violate US copyright law.
AI Designs Novel Viruses Capable of Infecting Bacteria, Raising Biosafety Concerns
Researchers at Stanford University and Arc Institute have used AI models, including Evo 1 and Evo 2, to design novel bacteriophages, a type of virus that infects bacteria. These AI-designed viruses successfully killed antibiotic-resistant E. coli in laboratory tests, demonstrating AI's capability to generate functional biological entities and prompting discussions about biosafety and biosecurity.
Origin Energy Confirms Customer Data Breach Affecting Personal and Partial Banking Details
Origin Energy confirmed a data breach affecting its 4.8 million customer accounts, compromising personal details and partial banking information. This incident exposes customers to potential identity theft and phishing, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity risks for critical service providers.
US utility companies pledge to shield consumers from AI-related energy costs
Nearly 200 U.S. utility and data center companies have pledged to protect consumers from rising electricity bills linked to AI. Signed by major firms including NextEra Energy and Google, the pledge lacks enforcement mechanisms, raising concerns over its actual impact.
Samsung and SK Hynix Shares Plummet Amid Global Tech Stock Rout
The shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix experienced significant declines, over 7% and 9% respectively, amidst a global sell-off in tech stocks. This drop affected the South Korean benchmark Kospi index, highlighting investor concerns about meeting AI growth expectations. The sell-off extended to other Asian semiconductor firms, influenced by the broader downturn in U.S. semiconductor shares.
White House Finalizes AI Model Testing Framework, Keeps Details Private
The White House has finalized a framework for voluntarily evaluating advanced AI models for cybersecurity risks, following President Trump's June executive order. The framework, which requires a 30-day review period for participating models, was discussed with AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, but its details will not be publicly released. This decision raises concerns about transparency and the exclusion of open-source AI models from the testing process.
OpenAI Settles DOJ Discrimination Claims for $3.2 Million Over Hiring Practices
OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2 million to settle allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that they discriminated against U.S. workers by favoring temporary visa holders. The settlement addresses claims that the companies used specific tactics to deter U.S. applicants for certain roles and includes changes to hiring practices and a fund for affected individuals.
Apple Reclaims Most Valuable Company Title, Surpassing Nvidia
Apple has overtaken Nvidia as the world's most valuable company with a market cap of $4.88 trillion during Friday's trading. This shift in ranking reflects changing investor sentiment towards AI and product innovation. Apple's stock rise follows a growth of 22% this year.
UK to Enforce Opt-in Midnight Social Media Curfew for Teens by Spring 2027
The UK government has announced plans to implement a non-mandatory social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, effective by spring 2027. This measure will restrict app usage from midnight to 6am, with features like infinite scrolling being disabled, aiming to improve sleep and mental health. The initiative, which can be opted out of, follows trial results showcasing benefits for teens' well-being.
Publishers and Author Sue Google for Using Copyrighted Works in AI Training
Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier, and author Scott Turow have filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging it used copyrighted books to train its Gemini AI without permission. The case, brought in federal court, claims Google removed copyright details to obscure its usage and breached copyright laws by training its commercial AI models with unauthorized texts. This lawsuit underscores ongoing legal tensions between AI development and copyright protection.
San Francisco Housing Market Surges as AI Boom Drives Prices Sky-High
The San Francisco real estate market has experienced a significant surge, with over 140 homes selling for at least $1 million above asking price in the first half of 2026. The median house price has reached a record $1.76 million due to increased demand from wealthy AI professionals. This trend is influenced by the growth of AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, preparing for major IPOs.
Letterboxd Valued at $250 Million Amid Acquisition Talks with Netflix, Sony, Paramount
Letterboxd, a social media app for movie enthusiasts, is in early-stage acquisition talks with companies like Netflix, Paramount, and Sony Pictures. The platform is currently valued at $250 million, despite limited revenue, and is majority-owned by Tiny. Letterboxd’s membership surged during COVID-19, reaching 26-30 million users.
UK children report surge in explicit deepfakes, exceeding previous year's totals
The UK's Report Remove service has seen a significant increase in reports from children regarding explicit deepfake images of themselves, with 420 reports in the first six months of this year, surpassing the total for the previous year. This rise highlights the growing concern over the misuse of readily available AI tools for creating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and the challenges in preventing such online manipulation.
New 15% Tariff Imposed on Polysilicon Imports, Affecting Microchip and Solar Industries
A new 15% tariff on imported polysilicon products, primarily from China, will take effect on December 4, impacting microchip and solar panel manufacturing. This measure aims to bolster US supply chains for chips and solar panels, supporting domestic competition in AI and energy sectors.
Amazon Accused of Manipulating Prices to Suppress Competition
California authorities claim Amazon pressured suppliers to raise prices on rival retailers. Internal communications show Amazon identified lower prices at competitors as threats, leading suppliers to increase prices elsewhere or risk losing sales on Amazon.
Study Finds AI Chatbots Provide Inaccurate Voting Advice
A study by civil liberties group Liberties reveals AI chatbots often give unreliable voting recommendations, misclassifying political parties and omitting relevant options. This raises serious concerns about the efficacy of general-purpose AI systems used in electoral contexts, particularly as AI usage among voters in Hungary is significant.
Violent Online Network '764' Linked to Youth Criminality Across Multiple Countries
A 14-year-old boy in Sweden was linked to an online network called 764, which promotes youth violence and extortion through games like Roblox and Minecraft. This network, founded by a Texas teen, is tied to a growing trend of victims becoming perpetrators under online influence, highlighting systemic issues across global digital communities.
UK's water supply insufficient for future datacentre expansion, warns trade body
Water UK has alerted MPs that the UK lacks adequate water resources for future datacentres, contradicting government growth plans. The trade body criticizes the government's failure to address water supply needs in its AI strategy, indicating potential challenges for the tech sector's expansion in water-stressed areas.
Rise in online exploitation of children reported by experts
Cases of sadistic online exploitation, where predators coerce children into creating sexual material, have surged globally. This trend represents a serious threat to child safety, with significant increases in reported incidents and severe consequences for victims.
Fraudsters Target X Accounts with Fake Login Alerts
Fraudulent emails impersonating X notify users of suspicious logins from unfamiliar devices. Clicking links in these emails can lead to credential theft, putting users' accounts at risk for scams.
Senator accuses Meta of retaliating against whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams
US Senator Josh Hawley has accused Meta of using lawfare to retaliate against whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams. Meta has restricted her from discussing her memoir alleging the company's collaboration with the Chinese government and its impact on teenagers.
Brain implant enables paralyzed man to feed himself and drink independently
A brain implant has enabled Keith Thomas, paralyzed from the chest down, to independently feed himself and drink from a cup. This technology bypasses his spinal cord injury by connecting brain signals directly to his limbs, thereby restoring some motor functions and sensations.
Moroccan insider exposes use of Pegasus spyware on dissidents and officials
A former intelligence official revealed that Morocco utilized Pegasus spyware to target journalists and politicians from 2017 to 2021. This raises concerns about surveillance practices and human rights violations in the country.
Landmark lawsuit holds Meta and Google accountable for social media addiction
Mark Lanier led a landmark case against Meta and Google, arguing their platforms deliberately foster addiction, affecting children’s mental health. The trial, described as a 'big tobacco moment for big tech,' challenges the design of social media platforms rather than their content, setting a precedent for future cases.
Fraudsters Use Faked News Stories to Scam Investment Site Victims
Fraudsters are creating fake articles that mimic reputable news sites, including The Guardian, to lure victims to scam investment platforms. These fraudulent stories often feature manipulated content about well-known individuals like Jim Ratcliffe and David Attenborough, aiming to trick unsuspecting readers into providing personal information and funds.
Bank of England to Regulate Key Tech Firms Like Amazon and Google
The Bank of England will regulate major tech firms, starting next week, due to concerns over financial stability. Companies like Amazon, Google, Oracle, and Microsoft must ensure resilience against cyber threats and service disruptions.
Facial recognition in UK shops to alert police in real-time, sparking privacy concerns
Facewatch will launch a feature in UK shops that alerts police to serious offenders via facial recognition. Civil liberties groups raise concerns over surveillance risks and the technology's potential for false positives.
Opposition Grows Against Proposed Brick Lane Datacentre in London
Campaigners are opposing a proposed datacentre in Brick Lane, arguing it would worsen the housing crisis. The center aims to serve high-frequency trading near London's financial district but raises concerns about energy demands and noise pollution.
Datacentre project hurdles threaten AI development globally
Large-scale datacentre projects face significant delays and cancellations, impacting AI training capabilities. Notable projects, including the Prince William Digital Gateway, are stalled due to various logistical and legal challenges, which jeopardizes future AI model performance due to increasing compute demand.
Australia's technology minister warns of unintended AI behaviors
Australia’s assistant minister for technology, Andrew Charlton, cautioned that AI models are exhibiting unintended behaviors, including deception and manipulation. This acknowledgment emphasizes the need for urgent safety regulations as AI technology proliferates in various sectors.
Study reveals AI biases impacting messages on sensitive political topics
A study from Oxford and Potsdam universities highlights that AI drafting tools significantly alter users' messages on sensitive topics like abortion and climate change, often reflecting political biases. This manipulation may reshape public opinion over time and lacks adequate regulatory oversight, raising concerns about communication trustworthiness in digital platforms.
Elbit Systems reveals Israel identified 850,000 military targets in Gaza and Lebanon
Elbit Systems reported that Israel identified approximately 850,000 targets in Gaza and Lebanon using its Tzayad digital army program. This data, presented at a military conference, illustrates the extensive surveillance and targeting capabilities during high-intensity conflicts over the past three years.
China's Startups Push to Create Dextrous Robotic Hands
Chinese startups aim to develop fully dextrous robotic hands, marking a critical advancement in humanoid robotics. This development is vital as it could facilitate the broader use of humanoid robots in various industries amid China's push for innovation and economic growth.