The Competition and Markets Authority has begun a major inquiry into Google just after new powers came into effect on January 1. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into the search services market to evaluate whether Google maintains a dominant position that adversely affects users, media companies and advertisers. This inquiry marks the first enforcement of regulations under the newly established Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act, which is specifically designed to scrutinise companies with global revenues exceeding £25 billion ($44.6 billion), and came into force this month. The CMA issued a press release detailing…

Publishers are among many sectors that will be affected by upcoming regulations governing subscription contracts. The UK government is seeking input from businesses regarding new regulations that will govern subscription contracts, emphasising the importance of consumer protection in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The consultation is part of the broader Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), which aims to address issues related to automatic and recurring payments for goods, services, or digital content. According to a recent impact assessment from the UK government, about 155 million active subscriptions exist in non-regulated sectors across the UK, with consumer spending reaching…

Australia’s parliament has approved new legislation to regulate social media use among minors, aiming to protect children from addiction and social isolation. Australia is set to impose stringent regulations on social media usage by minors, following the approval of new legislation by its parliament that prohibits under-16s from using the networks. The law aims to protect children from what authorities claim are the detrimental effects of social media, including addiction and social isolation. The Australian government argues that the proposed measures can counterbalance the distressing reality many parents face—deciding between allowing their children to engage with addictive technologies or risking…

Ruling highlights the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate major digital platforms and ensure fair competition. Meta Platforms Inc. has been fined $840 million by the European Union for anti-trust violations relating to its digital advertising business. This latest penalty is part of a broader regulatory campaign conducted by EU competition authorities against major digital platforms. Meta, which operates social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has been under increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide, particularly in Europe where stringent privacy and competition laws are enforced. The European Commission, spearheading this action, cited Meta for practices they deem restrictive to competition within the…

European users will soon have the option of experiencing less personalised ads amid increasing regulatory pressure from the EU. Meta Platforms, the parent company of social media giants Instagram and Facebook, has announced its intention to offer European users the option to experience “less personalised ads.” The development comes as the California-based tech titan addresses the growing concerns of European regulators. This shift by Meta, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is designed to meet the expectations of regulators in the European Union (EU). The company outlined the introduction of this new advertising model, revealing that over the coming…

Westminster is exploring new regulations on social media usage by under-16s, following recent efforts in this area by Australia. The UK government is considering a series of measures aimed at enhancing the online safety of minors. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has expressed an open-minded approach toward the potential legislative changes. The pivot towards reassessing age restrictions on social media usage comes amidst growing concerns about online safety. Recently, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to increase the minimum age for social media access to 16, citing parental concerns over child safety online. The Australian model is being studied closely…

New York court rejects lawsuit from Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media alleging copyright infringement in AI training data use. In a significant legal victory for OpenAI, the Southern District of New York has thrown out a lawsuit initiated by two media companies against the artificial intelligence developer. The lawsuit accused OpenAI of infringing copyright laws by utilising copyrighted articles from Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media as part of its training data for AI models. The crux of the plaintiffs’ complaint centred around allegations that OpenAI had breached provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). More specifically, they…

With proposals to improve online safety for young users, Australia wants to act as a beacon for the rest of the world. Australia is on the cusp of implementing new regulations that could ban users under the age of 16 from social media. This development follows statements made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who highlighted the government’s commitment to increasing the safety of young people on social media. “Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” he said. The proposed regulations are a response to growing concerns over the online safety of children, as…

In a decision prompted by public outcry and ethical concerns, Radio Krakow has ended its AI-driven broadcasting experiment featuring digital presenters, reflecting ongoing debates about technology’s role in media. Radio Krakow has decided to halt an innovative but contentious artificial intelligence (AI) initiative that involved non-human presenters after it faced significant public and internal difficulties. Radio Krakow had introduced digital presenters on its Off Radio Krakow segment. Among these were Alex Szulc, an imagined nonbinary individual described as “full of social commitment,” and Emilia Nowak, a digital creation dubbed a “pop culture expert.” These AI personas were created to engage…

Miles Brundage, former head of policy research at OpenAI, departs to pursue policy research in the nonprofit sector, amidst ongoing discussions about AI safety and regulation. Miles Brundage, a prominent figure in the realm of artificial general intelligence (AGI) research, has made the decision to leave OpenAI to pursue policy research in the nonprofit sector. Brundage held a pivotal role within OpenAI, serving as the head of policy research and AGI readiness, throughout his tenure that lasted over six years. OpenAI, a leading entity in artificial intelligence innovation, has recently witnessed several high-profile departures from key safety researchers and executives.…