UK to ban social media for under-16s
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on major social media platforms for children under 16 on Monday, calling it 'bold action' to protect young people online. Culture minister Lisa Nandy said tech firms have had 'enough time' to self-regulate. However, the Molly Rose Foundation has warned the ban would be unenforceable, arguing the focus should instead be on banning addictive features.
Apple is reportedly preparing three additional iOS 27 features for release this fall, according to multiple reports. The update includes significant upgrades to Apple Wallet and may introduce Siri AI model selection, which was notably absent from this year's WWDC keynote. Apple enthusiasts are watching closely for further announcements ahead of the fall release.
The Guardian published a critical analysis arguing that 'AI absolutism' is distorting public discourse, and the apocalyptic narratives being sold are not inevitable. A companion piece uses six charts to examine the gap between billions spent on AI infrastructure and hypothetical returns. Meanwhile in Hong Kong, analysts say the office sector may need to renovate properties to retain AI industry tenants.
TechRadar reports that Father's Day gift trends are shifting toward practical presents, with brands like Shark betting on useful gifts over traditional items like ties. Separately, viral TikTok hair hacks have been tested and reviewed, with only a handful deemed worth trying. Meta is also turning social platforms into conversation hubs for this year's World Cup tournament.
The US government has ordered Anthropic to disable its most advanced AI models, citing security risks from foreign access. The Commerce Department mandate reportedly follows officials discovering methods to bypass existing safeguards. Anthropic has complied with the order, shutting down top-tier systems. The move has drawn significant attention from international tech media including Nikkei and SCMP.