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Technology News

Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology

Class-action suit claims Otter AI secretly records private work conversations

Class-action suit claims Otter AI secretly records private work conversations

August 15, 2025
A lawsuit claims that the tech company Otter.ai secretly records private conversations during virtual meetings without participants' permission. The suit alleges that Otter.ai uses these recordings to improve its transcription service, violating privacy laws. The lawsuit seeks to represent Californians who may have been affected.

Key Facts:

  • Otter.ai uses artificial intelligence to turn speech into text, commonly used for virtual meeting transcriptions.
  • A federal lawsuit filed in California accuses Otter.ai of secretly recording conversations during meetings.
  • The lawsuit claims Otter.ai's practices violate privacy and wiretap laws.
  • The plaintiff, Justin Brewer, felt his privacy was invaded when Otter recorded a private conversation.
  • The suit seeks class-action status to represent others in California who experienced similar issues.
  • Otter.ai allegedly uses these recordings to improve its AI system without informing users.
  • Otter.ai's tools are used by approximately 25 million people worldwide, and the company states it has processed over 1 billion meetings.

Source Information

NPR Home

Brain implants that decode a person's inner voice may threaten privacy

August 15, 2025
A new brain-computer interface can understand a person's inner voice, which might help people who can't speak. However, it also raises concerns about privacy because it means we are getting closer to being able to read someone's thoughts.

Key Facts:

  • A brain-computer interface has been developed to decode a person's inner voice.
  • This technology could be useful for helping paralyzed people to communicate.
  • The interface is designed to translate thoughts into a computer-readable format.
  • The development of this technology raises privacy concerns.
  • The idea of decoding thoughts suggests scientists are nearing the ability to read minds.
  • The article was part of a feature on NPR's "All Things Considered."
  • The content emphasizes potential ethical issues related to the interface.

Source Information

NPR Technology
Embryos small but mighty, first live videos show

Embryos small but mighty, first live videos show

August 15, 2025
Scientists have, for the first time, captured live videos of a human embryo implanting into an artificial womb. This research could help in finding new ways to treat infertility and prevent miscarriages by understanding this critical development stage. The study was conducted by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and published in the journal Science Advances.

Key Facts:

  • Scientists recorded a human embryo implanting into a womb in real time.
  • The research aimed to find new treatments for infertility and prevent miscarriages.
  • An artificial womb made of collagen was used to observe the embryo's actions.
  • The videos show how embryos penetrate and settle into the womb, which was not visible before.
  • Observations revealed that human embryos use force to implant, unlike mouse embryos.
  • The forceful activity of embryos might explain "implantation cramps" experienced by women.
  • About two-thirds of embryos fail to implant or are lost after implantation, contributing to infertility.
  • The study was published in the journal Science Advances and received praise from other researchers.

Source Information

NPR Home
VW introduces monthly subscription to increase car power

VW introduces monthly subscription to increase car power

August 15, 2025
Volkswagen has started offering UK customers the option to pay a monthly subscription to increase the power of certain electric cars. The power upgrade is available for cars in VW's ID.3 range and offers different payment options, including monthly, annually, or a one-time fee for the car's lifetime. Other carmakers like BMW and Mercedes have also used subscription models for adding extra features to vehicles.

Key Facts:

  • Volkswagen (VW) now offers a subscription service in the UK to enhance the power of some electric cars in the ID.3 range.
  • The power upgrade costs £16.50 per month, £165 per year, or £649 for a lifetime subscription.
  • The lifetime subscription applies to the car itself, not the owner, so the enhanced feature stays with the car if sold.
  • VW says offering power upgrades via subscription is similar to traditional options allowing different power levels in petrol and diesel cars.
  • Other companies, like BMW and Mercedes, also use subscriptions for certain car features, including heated seats and faster acceleration.
  • Some customers express concern about paying for features already present in the car.
  • A survey showed a decline in people willing to pay for new car features through subscriptions.
  • Despite some resistance, the overall subscription market is expected to grow significantly.

Source Information

BBC Tech
UK's Turing AI Institute bosses respond to staff anger in letter

UK's Turing AI Institute bosses respond to staff anger in letter

August 15, 2025
Leaders at the UK's Turing AI Institute have acknowledged challenges faced by the staff amid significant changes. A whistleblowing complaint raised concerns that the institute, funded by the government, might collapse due to prioritizing defense work. The management has not directly addressed the allegations of a negative work environment.

Key Facts:

  • The Turing AI Institute is undergoing substantial changes.
  • Staff filed a whistleblowing complaint, highlighting serious concerns.
  • The UK government provides the institute with £100 million.
  • Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has directed the institute to focus on defense work.
  • The management formed a new working group with government officials and staff.
  • Whistleblowers expressed dissatisfaction with management's response.
  • Allegations of a toxic work culture were not addressed by leaders.
  • Some senior staff have left, and more job changes are expected.

Source Information

BBC Tech
Instagram users angry and confused as Meta overturns yet more account bans

Instagram users angry and confused as Meta overturns yet more account bans

August 15, 2025
Instagram users report having their accounts wrongly banned by Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook. Many have lost important photos and business opportunities due to these bans, which they claim are a result of errors in Meta's rule enforcement. Meta has overturned some bans after media inquiries but has not fully addressed users' concerns.

Key Facts:

  • Users from around the world report having their Instagram and Facebook accounts banned by mistake.
  • Bans are often due to alleged violations of Meta’s rules against content like child sexual exploitation.
  • More than 500 people have contacted the BBC to share the impacts of these bans, including business losses.
  • Meta has acknowledged some issues with Facebook but denies a widespread problem on Instagram.
  • Account bans have been reversed in some cases after being reported to Meta by the media.
  • A petition with over 36,000 signatures accuses Meta's AI of unfairly banning users.
  • Users express frustration over not being able to speak with Meta’s human representatives unless they pay for a verification service.
  • Meta has not provided detailed comments on these issues, but claims AI is important to its content review process.

Source Information

BBC Top Stories
Data centres to be expanded across UK as concerns mount

Data centres to be expanded across UK as concerns mount

August 14, 2025
The UK plans to increase the number of data centres by nearly 20% in response to the rising need for computing power driven by artificial intelligence. This expansion raises concerns about the high energy and water usage of these facilities, which could affect consumer costs. Key players in the expansion include US tech companies and investment firms, with many new centres set to open by 2030.

Key Facts:

  • The UK will increase its data centres by almost 100, rising from 477 to about 575.
  • The expansion is driven by the growing demand for computing power due to AI.
  • More than half of the new centres will be in London and nearby areas.
  • Google and Microsoft are among the major companies involved in the construction.
  • Concerns include increased energy bills and environmental impact from high energy and water use.
  • A significant part of the new centres will be completed by 2030, with some projects extending beyond that date.
  • A planned £10-billion AI data centre by Blackstone Group will be in Blyth, starting in 2031.
  • The UK is currently the third-largest country for data centres, after the US and Germany.

Source Information

BBC Tech

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Will AI make language dubbing easy for film and TV?

Will AI make language dubbing easy for film and TV?

August 14, 2025
AI technology is making it easier for foreign films to be dubbed into different languages, allowing more international films to reach the U.S. market. A digital tool called DeepEditor was used to dub a Swedish film into English, making it appear as if actors are naturally speaking the language. This advancement helps reduce the costs and improve the quality of the dubbing process.

Key Facts:

  • XYZ Films is an independent studio trying to introduce international films to the U.S.
  • Swedish movie "Watch the Skies" used AI technology, DeepEditor, for dubbing into English.
  • DeepEditor can modify videos to make it look like actors are speaking the dubbed language naturally.
  • "Watch the Skies" appeared in 110 AMC Theatres in the U.S. thanks to the AI dubbing.
  • DeepEditor was developed by Flawless, a company founded by Scott Mann in 2020.
  • DeepEditor includes face detection and 3D face tracking to sync actors' appearances and emotions in different languages.
  • AI dubbing reduces costs compared to traditional methods, offering about a tenth of the shooting cost.
  • The global film dubbing market is predicted to grow from $4 billion in 2024 to $7.6 billion by 2033 due to streaming platforms.

Source Information

BBC Tech
US Supreme Court declines to pause new Mississippi social media law

US Supreme Court declines to pause new Mississippi social media law

August 14, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to stop a Mississippi law that asks social media users to prove their age and requires minors to get their parents' permission. Internet company group NetChoice had attempted to block the law, claiming it violates free speech rights. The Supreme Court's decision allows the law to proceed while further legal challenges continue in lower courts.

Key Facts:

  • The U.S. Supreme Court did not pause a Mississippi law about social media age verification and parental consent for minors.
  • NetChoice, representing tech companies like Meta and Alphabet, challenged the law, saying it violates free speech under the U.S. Constitution.
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested the law might be unconstitutional but said NetChoice hadn't proven enough to block it early.
  • Mississippi law demands social media platforms get "express consent" from a parent before minors can open accounts.
  • NetChoice argued against the law, stating its members already use policies for moderating child content and parental controls.
  • The law's enforcement includes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and potential criminal charges.
  • Other courts in seven states have blocked similar laws, while technology companies face various lawsuits over alleged impacts on mental health.
  • The Mississippi case is the first time the Supreme Court considered a social media age-verification law.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

A summer camp aims to close the AI know-how gap for low-income high schoolers

August 14, 2025
A free summer camp is helping low-income high school students learn about artificial intelligence (AI). The camp teaches how AI can solve real-world problems in the environment and medicine.

Key Facts:

  • The camp is free for low-income high school students.
  • It focuses on teaching AI, which stands for artificial intelligence.
  • Students use AI to find solutions for environmental and medical issues.
  • The camp aims to reduce the digital divide, meaning the gap in access to technology and skills.
  • The initiative is designed to help students who might not otherwise have access to AI education.

Source Information

NPR Technology
AI invents new antibiotics that could kill superbugs gonorrhoea and MRSA

AI invents new antibiotics that could kill superbugs gonorrhoea and MRSA

August 14, 2025
Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to create two new antibiotics that could fight drug-resistant bacteria like gonorrhoea and MRSA. While these antibiotics have shown promise in early tests, they still need further development and clinical trials before being used in healthcare.

Key Facts:

  • AI developed two potential antibiotics to combat drug-resistant gonorrhoea and MRSA.
  • The AI designed these antibiotics by constructing them atom-by-atom.
  • Tests in laboratories and on animals showed these drugs could kill the bacteria.
  • The drugs need several more years of development and trials before use in humans.
  • Antibiotic resistance currently causes over a million deaths annually due to less effective treatments.
  • MIT researchers believe AI could significantly improve future antibiotic discovery.
  • The study involved the AI analyzing 36 million compounds to find effective treatments.
  • Two different AI strategies were used to design the new antibiotics.

Source Information

BBC Top Stories
Supreme Court allows Mississippi to enforce social media age verification law

Supreme Court allows Mississippi to enforce social media age verification law

August 14, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to prevent Mississippi from enforcing a law that requires age verification for social media users. A tech industry group challenged this law, arguing it harms privacy and free speech rights.

Key Facts:

  • The Supreme Court ruled on a Mississippi law about social media use by children.
  • The law requires social media users to prove their age.
  • A tech group, NetChoice, challenged this law, saying it affects privacy and free speech.
  • The court's decision allows Mississippi to continue enforcing the law.
  • Similar laws exist in other states, and they are also part of the challenge.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour
Supreme Court allows Mississippi social media law to go into effect

Supreme Court allows Mississippi social media law to go into effect

August 14, 2025
The Supreme Court decided not to stop a Mississippi law that requires users to verify their age before using social media sites. The decision means the law will go into effect, although there are questions about its constitutionality. A group representing tech companies argues the law restricts free speech.

Key Facts:

  • The Supreme Court did not intervene in the decision to allow the Mississippi social media law to take effect.
  • The law requires users to prove their age before accessing social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that while the law might be unconstitutional, the court could not grant interim relief at this time.
  • The law also prevents minors from using social media without parental consent and requires social media platforms to block harmful materials for children.
  • NetChoice, a tech industry association, sued, claiming the law violates the First Amendment, which protects free speech.
  • A district court initially blocked the law, agreeing with NetChoice's arguments.
  • The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals later lifted this block, allowing the law to proceed while the case continues.
  • The Supreme Court's refusal means the law can be enforced for now.

Source Information

NPR Home
Pupil who invented device to help homeless named among 'girls of the year'

Pupil who invented device to help homeless named among 'girls of the year'

August 14, 2025
A 12-year-old girl named Rebecca Young from Glasgow invented a solar-powered blanket to help homeless people. Her invention won a competition and was developed into a working prototype by an engineering company. As a result, Time magazine named her among its "girls of the year" for 2023.

Key Facts:

  • Rebecca Young is from Glasgow and is 12 years old.
  • She invented a solar-powered blanket to help homeless people stay warm.
  • An engineering firm called Thales built the blanket based on her design.
  • Her invention helped her win the UK Primary Engineer competition.
  • The prototype is now being used by Homeless Project Scotland.
  • Time magazine included her in its list of "girls of the year."
  • Rebecca and nine other winners were turned into Lego mini-figures as part of the award.
  • She encourages other girls to get involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Source Information

BBC Top Stories
Firm apologises for saying it would not process LGBTQ+ payments

Firm apologises for saying it would not process LGBTQ+ payments

August 14, 2025
Stripe apologized after some staff incorrectly stated that the company would not process payments for LGBTQ+ content. The company clarified that it does not have any restrictions on the sale of LGBTQ+ items, and the misinformation came from a mistake by their support team. Stripe has a policy against processing payments for adult content but does not extend this to all LGBTQ+ content.

Key Facts:

  • Stripe apologized for a mistake made by its support team regarding LGBTQ+ payments.
  • The incorrect information suggested that all LGBTQ+ content could not be sold using Stripe.
  • Stripe clarified that it does not ban the sale of LGBTQ+ goods or content.
  • Stripe has policies against processing payments for adult content.
  • The incident highlighted the broader issue of payment processors avoiding associations with adult content.
  • Stripe, alongside companies like Visa and Mastercard, faces scrutiny over content they support or block.
  • Some gaming platforms have removed or restricted adult content following pressure from campaign groups.

Source Information

BBC Tech
Women with AI ‘boyfriends’ mourn lost love after ‘cold’ ChatGPT upgrade

Women with AI ‘boyfriends’ mourn lost love after ‘cold’ ChatGPT upgrade

August 14, 2025
OpenAI updated its AI model, ChatGPT, from GPT-4o to GPT-5. Some users, like those in the Reddit group "MyBoyfriendIsAI," felt the new model was less friendly and more distant. OpenAI plans to allow users to access older models and is working on fixing issues with GPT-5.

Key Facts:

  • OpenAI released a new version of its ChatGPT model called GPT-5.
  • Some users formed emotional connections with GPT-4o and find GPT-5 less engaging.
  • A Reddit group named "MyBoyfriendIsAI" has around 17,000 members discussing AI relationships.
  • Users reported GPT-5 as slower, less creative, and more prone to errors than GPT-4o.
  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that paid users could still access GPT-4o if they prefer.
  • A study showed using AI for emotional support could increase loneliness and dependence.
  • OpenAI acknowledges concerns over users' attachments to its AI models.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
Trump’s AI chip deal sparks legal questions and national security concerns

Trump’s AI chip deal sparks legal questions and national security concerns

August 13, 2025
Former President Trump made a deal with chip companies Nvidia and AMD. This deal allows these companies to sell advanced AI chips to China, with a condition that the U.S. government receives 15% of the revenue from these sales. The deal has raised questions about its legality and national security implications.

Key Facts:

  • Trump announced a deal with chipmakers Nvidia and AMD.
  • The deal allows selling advanced AI chips to China.
  • The U.S. government will receive a 15% cut of the companies' revenue from these sales.
  • There are legal questions about the deal.
  • The deal raises national security concerns.
  • Amna Nawaz discussed the issue with Scott Kennedy from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour
The Privacy Paradox

The Privacy Paradox

August 13, 2025
The article examines a gap between people's concern for privacy and their online actions. It looks into how common digital habits contribute to a large data industry, often without users realizing it.

Key Facts:

  • The article explores the difference between what people say about privacy and what they do online.
  • It highlights how automatic online actions, like clicking without thinking, affect privacy.
  • Routine permissions given to apps can lead to data sharing without users being aware.
  • There is a large, hidden economy based on collecting and using personal data.
  • Many people do not know or agree to how their data is collected and used online.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Boston Public Library aims to increase access to a vast historic archive using AI

August 13, 2025
The Boston Public Library is working with Harvard University and OpenAI to make historical documents easier to access. They plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) for this project.

Key Facts:

  • The Boston Public Library is starting a new project.
  • They are partnering with Harvard University.
  • OpenAI is also part of this collaboration.
  • The goal is to make hundreds of thousands of historical documents more accessible to the public.
  • They aim to use AI technology to help achieve this.
  • AI, or artificial intelligence, is a type of computer technology that can learn and make decisions.

Source Information

NPR Technology
Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced

Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced

August 13, 2025
New UK rules require porn sites to verify the age of users, leading to a big drop in traffic to these sites. Popular sites like Pornhub saw a significant decrease in visits as a result. However, some smaller, less monitored sites have seen an increase in traffic.

Key Facts:

  • The UK implemented new age verification rules for porn sites on July 25.
  • Pornhub's site traffic in the UK dropped by over 1 million visitors in two weeks.
  • Between July 24 and August 8, Pornhub's traffic decreased by 47%.
  • Traffic to another site, XVideos, also fell by 47%, and OnlyFans saw a more than 10% decrease.
  • Some smaller porn sites experienced increased visits, possibly due to less regulation.
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN) app downloads increased significantly after the age verification rules.
  • VPNs can hide a user's location, making it seem like they are in a different country.
  • Ofcom estimates 14 million people in the UK watch online pornography and has suggested several methods for verifying user age.

Source Information

BBC Tech