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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A newscaster from NPR tried using artificial intelligence (AI) to go on a date. The experiment was part of exploring how AI can be used in personal relationships.
Key Facts
An NPR newscaster participated in an experiment involving AI technology for dating.
The focus was on how AI could help create romantic connections.
Dating apps and social media were mentioned as existing tools for meeting people.
The report was scheduled to air on the Morning Edition program.
The experiment highlights the intersection of AI and personal relationships.
The article discusses research on how giving robots personalities could make them more relatable. It focuses on making robots with different traits, like being neurotic or anxious, instead of the usual cheerful and confident personalities.
Key Facts
Science fiction often features robots with neurotic or anxious traits.
Real-world robots are usually designed to be confident and cheerful.
Researchers are exploring how robots with varied personalities could become more relatable.
The study is part of a broader look into robot personality research.
This topic is discussed in an episode of NPR's Short Wave podcast.
AI start-up Perplexity offered $34.5 billion to buy Google's Chrome browser, claiming it would enhance user safety if operated independently. Google faces legal challenges regarding its dominance in search and advertising, but it has not indicated plans to sell Chrome, making the success of Perplexity's bid uncertain.
Key Facts
AI start-up Perplexity made a $34.5 billion offer to buy Google Chrome.
Google has not announced any plans to sell its Chrome browser.
Chrome is the world's most popular web browser with over three billion users.
The U.S. Department of Justice has an antitrust case against Google.
A U.S. federal judge may soon rule on Google's search business.
Perplexity intends to keep Google as the default search engine in Chrome.
Tomasz Tunguz, a venture capitalist, suggested that Chrome's value might be much higher than Perplexity's offer.
Perplexity has shown interest in other tech acquisitions and launched an AI-powered browser named Comet.
Chinese authorities held meetings with local tech companies like Tencent and ByteDance to discuss their purchase of Nvidia’s H20 chips. They expressed concerns about data risks and questioned why companies were not using local chip suppliers. Although no ban has been enforced, China urged companies to avoid using these chips for government purposes.
Key Facts
Chinese authorities met with companies such as Tencent and ByteDance about buying Nvidia’s H20 chips.
Officials are worried the chips might involve data privacy risks.
Authorities asked companies to consider local chip suppliers instead of Nvidia.
Companies have not been banned from buying the H20 chips, but some were advised against using them for government-related work.
The H20 is a chip Nvidia designed specifically for China after export limits were placed on more advanced AI chips.
The US had previously banned selling the H20 to China but reversed this decision in July 2023.
China’s cyberspace regulator has questioned Nvidia regarding security risks posed by the H20.
State media have criticized Nvidia, questioning its potential security threats.
The article discusses how Singapore is handling cyber attacks from other countries and criminals. It highlights the actions Singapore is taking to protect itself from these digital threats.
Key Facts
Singapore is facing cyber threats from both other countries and criminal groups.
The country is taking steps to manage and respond to these threats.
Cyber attacks involve unauthorized access to computer systems to steal or damage data.
Singapore's approach may include improved cybersecurity measures and policies.
The news was released on August 12, 2025.
This information is part of a 26-minute program called "Tech Life" on BBC Sounds.
Perplexity AI has made a $34.5 billion offer to buy Google Chrome from Alphabet, even though Alphabet did not offer it for sale. The move comes as increased regulatory pressure is on Google's control of the tech industry, and Perplexity aims to expand its reach with Chrome's large user base.
Key Facts
Perplexity AI offered $34.5 billion in cash to buy Google Chrome from Alphabet.
Alphabet has not agreed to sell Chrome and was not attempting to sell it.
The deal would need financing beyond Perplexity's latest valuation of $18 billion.
Perplexity has raised $1 billion from investors like SoftBank and Nvidia.
Several funds are willing to finance the deal if Alphabet accepts the offer.
A U.S. court ruled Google holds an unlawful search monopoly, with divestiture of Chrome as a suggested remedy.
Chrome has over three billion users, making it an important tool for tech companies.
Perplexity's current AI browser, Comet, operates tasks on users' behalf, and buying Chrome would expand its user reach.
