The UK advertising regulator banned an advert for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The advert was criticized for making light of sexual violence, featuring a scene where a man was humorously asked to strip by airport security officers. The regulator decided the advert was irresponsible and offensive and ruled it must not be shown again.
Key Facts
The advert was for the game Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
It aired in November 2025 on YouTube and on-demand video services.
Viewers complained that the advert trivialized sexual violence.
The ad depicted a humorous scene at an airport security check.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received nine complaints.
The ASA concluded the advert was irresponsible and offensive.
Activision Blizzard UK Ltd defended the ad as humorous and not explicit.
Two complaints about the ad allegedly promoting drug use were not upheld.
Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify in a trial that questions if Meta's social media platforms are designed to addict children and cause harm. The case involves a 20-year-old woman who claims using social media worsened her mental health. The trial's outcome could affect many other similar lawsuits against social media companies.
Key Facts
Mark Zuckerberg will testify about claims that Meta's platforms harm children.
The trial involves a young woman who says social media contributed to her depression.
Meta and Google's YouTube are defendants in this case; TikTok and Snap settled.
The outcome may influence thousands of other lawsuits against social media companies.
A Meta spokesperson stated the company disagrees with the lawsuit's allegations.
Meta argues that the woman's home environment, not Instagram, influenced her mental health.
Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, previously testified that the platform protects young users.
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London has recreated the original 2005 watchpage of YouTube for display, using archives from 2006. This includes the first YouTube video, "Me at the Zoo," showcasing the early days of digital media and user-generated content. The exhibit highlights YouTube's impact on internet culture and media sharing.
Key Facts
The V&A Museum is displaying a reconstruction of YouTube's original watchpage design from 2005.
This project was done using internet archives from December 2006.
The first YouTube video, "Me at the Zoo," uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim, is part of this display.
YouTube's CEO Neal Mohan described the project as a way to revisit the start of a cultural phenomenon.
The video has been viewed nearly 380 million times and received over 18 million likes.
The reconstruction explores user interface features like sharing and rating buttons that are now common across media platforms.
Corinna Gardner, V&A senior curator, noted the display captures an essential moment in internet and digital design history.
This is part of the museum's effort to collect and preserve digital design history.
Galgotias University in India faced criticism for claiming a Chinese robotic dog as its own during an AI summit. The robot, identified as the Go2 model by Chinese company Unitree Robotics, was mistakenly introduced as a university creation. The incident led to a backlash, prompting the university to clarify their intentions and deal with consequences such as stall closure at the summit.
Key Facts
Galgotias University claimed a Chinese-made robotic dog as its own at an AI summit.
The robot was actually the Go2 model from Unitree Robotics.
The university later stated that they did not claim to have built the robot.
Social media users accused the university of dishonesty.
As a result, the university's stall was reportedly vacated, and its electricity supply was cut off.
The incident drew embarrassment, even leading to deleted social media posts by officials.
The AI Impact Summit in Delhi, attended by international delegates, focused on AI policy and innovation.
Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify in a major trial about social media's impact on mental health. A lawsuit claims Instagram contributed to a young woman's mental health struggles. This case could affect how social media is regulated in the future.
Key Facts
Mark Zuckerberg will testify in a trial that focuses on social media regulation.
The lawsuit involves a young woman who claims Instagram worsened her mental health.
Grieving families of affected children are involved in the courtroom.
The trial’s outcome could set a precedent for future lawsuits against tech companies.
Instagram is accused of having features designed to maximize user engagement.
The trial examines the responsibility of social media companies in users' mental health.
Other countries like Australia and France are imposing age limits on social media use.
Apple's new iOS 26.4 update introduces significant changes to Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Apple Music will soon let users create playlists through text prompts and identify nearby concerts, while Apple Podcasts will now support video capabilities and allow creators more control over content.
Key Facts
Apple released the first beta version of the iOS 26.4 update.
Apple Music will have a new feature called Playlist Playground for creating playlists using text instructions.
Users can customize the generated playlists further with text-based commands.
Apple Music will also help users find concerts based on their location and listening history.
Apple Podcasts will add video support, allowing for video podcast creation and monetization.
Creators can insert video ads into podcasts, including host-read ads.
Apple's Eddy Cue highlighted giving creators more control and new monetization options.
The public will see the update's beta version in the next few weeks, aiming for a release in spring.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify in a trial about whether social media platforms are designed to be addictive and harmful to children. The case involves a now 20-year-old woman who claims her use of Instagram worsened her mental health. The outcome could affect many similar cases against social media companies.
Key Facts
Mark Zuckerberg will testify about social media design in a trial regarding its impact on children's health.
The case involves a 20-year-old woman, KGM, who says Instagram use led to addiction and mental health problems.
Meta and YouTube are the remaining defendants in the case, as TikTok and Snap have settled.
The trial is a bellwether case, meaning it could influence many similar lawsuits nationwide.
In opening statements, Meta's attorney argued KGM's issues were not caused by Instagram.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified, defending the platform's efforts to protect young users.
The court will examine features like algorithms, infinite scroll, and filters, which are claimed to keep users engaged.
Algorithms are criticized for promoting harmful content and creating engagement over safety.
Popular streamers on platforms like Twitch are worried about Discord's new age verification system. They fear it could compromise user privacy and data security. Discord explains that only some users will need to provide extra information, such as ID or facial scans, to verify their age.
Key Facts
Discord plans to require age verification for some users soon.
Alastair, a well-known streamer with over a million followers, is concerned about privacy risks.
Discord had a data breach last year affecting 70,000 users' ID photos.
Some users are worried about data protection and the involvement of companies like Persona and its connections.
Searches for alternative platforms to Discord have increased worldwide.
Another streamer, Tubbo, criticized the need for detailed personal information without clear data protection assurances.
Discord's new system sets most users' experience to a safer "teen-by-default" mode.
Discord says it deletes ID information after verifying a user's age and facial scans stay on the user's device.
YouTube had a major outage on Tuesday evening, affecting users worldwide. The issue was linked to a problem with YouTube's recommendation system, which was later fixed by the company. Users reported issues like blank homepages and error screens during the disruption.
Key Facts
On Tuesday evening, YouTube services went down in the U.S. and other countries.
This outage impacted YouTube, YouTube Music, YouTube Kids, and YouTube TV.
The problem was due to an issue with YouTube's recommendation system.
Many users saw errors and blank screens instead of videos.
Report spikes were noted in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
Downdetector registered hundreds of thousands of issue reports worldwide.
YouTube worked to fix the problem and restored services.
A few users continued facing login problems on YouTube TV after service restoration.
At China's Lunar New Year gala, humanoid robots showcased advanced martial arts moves, marking achievements in robotics technology. The event highlighted China's rapid progress in humanoid robotics, with participation from multiple tech companies.
Key Facts
The gala took place on Lunar New Year’s Eve and was broadcast by CGTN.
Humanoid robots performed martial arts, including complex moves like flips and spins.
This year's performance showed notable progress compared to last year’s simpler robot acts.
Four companies, including Unitree and Magiclab, collaborated on the event, involving deals worth about 100 million yuan (approximately $14 million).
The robot performances aimed to demonstrate China's advancements in technology to a global audience.
Ramesh Srinivasan, an expert from UCLA, commented on the potential impact of humanoid robots on various aspects of society.
This progress comes shortly after Elon Musk predicted humanoid robots will become widely available to the public soon.
Meta plans to spend billions on Nvidia's new AI chips to use in its U.S. data centers. This makes Meta the first major tech company to buy Nvidia's standalone CPUs, which will be used for running AI rather than training it. The deal illustrates the ongoing demand for advanced computing power amid the growth of AI technology.
Key Facts
Meta is purchasing Nvidia's new AI chips, spending tens of billions of dollars.
Meta will buy a variety of chips, including standalone CPUs and next-gen GPUs.
These chips will be used in Meta's data centers across the U.S.
Meta is the first major tech company to commit to buying Nvidia's standalone CPUs.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The agreement indicates a shift towards using chips for running AI rather than training it.
Meta is expected to spend approximately $135 billion on AI projects this year.
The deal reflects the high demand for computing power necessary for AI advancements.
A Reddit user criticized Apple for allowing only 24 world clocks in its iPhone Clock app, labeling it a "cheap" choice. Other users debated this limitation, suggesting it might be a technical decision rather than a cost-saving measure. Some argued the app aims to remain simple and avoid clutter, especially on smaller devices.
Key Facts
A Reddit user complained about the iPhone Clock app limit of 24 world clocks.
Some users agreed, questioning Apple's restrictions.
Others argued 24 clocks are enough, citing ease of finding time using Siri or search.
Some pointed out that Apple likely chose this limit for design simplicity and performance.
Past iOS versions had similar restrictions, such as a limit on Home Screen pages.
Apple faced other criticisms, like inconsistencies in its user interface designs.
Newsweek reported despite feedback, significant changes to iOS features like Liquid Glass are unlikely.
Newsweek reached out to Apple for comments but couldn't verify the details.
A radio show episode discusses AI chatbots with NVIDIA and looks into making them more human-like. It also talks about how new technology aids stroke survivors.
Key Facts
The episode is part of the World Service's Tech Life program.
The show aired on February 17, 2026.
NVIDIA discussed advancements in AI chat technology.
The discussion included how to make AI chat feel more human.
The episode covered the emotional connection between people and AI.
It also talked about new technology that helps people who have had strokes.
The recent Super Bowl ad for Amazon's Ring doorbell camera has sparked backlash, with consumers worried about their home surveillance data being accessed by law enforcement. New AI technology makes it easier to analyze large amounts of video and license plate data, adding to privacy concerns.
Key Facts
A Super Bowl ad for Ring's doorbell camera highlighted a feature that helps find lost dogs, but raised concerns about potential surveillance of people.
Many consumers responded negatively, and some even destroyed their Ring cameras or sought refunds.
Ring assured users that the feature does not track people and is only for finding lost dogs.
About 50% of social media discussions about Ring were negative after the ad aired.
Partnerships between surveillance tech firms and law enforcement are causing public concern.
The FBI stated they could retrieve footage thought to be deleted from devices like Nest.
Amazon terminated a partnership with Flock Safety due to resource demands, before it became operational.
Despite privacy worries, the popularity of doorbell cameras has increased as people seek security against crimes.
Andrew Yang warns that many Americans could lose their jobs because of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing office work. Yang says AI can already do tasks that involve collecting and analyzing information, which could lead to big job cuts in white-collar roles. Experts suggest people will need to learn new skills to adapt.
Key Facts
Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, warns that AI may cause job losses in white-collar industries.
He believes AI will make many office jobs unnecessary because it can automate information-processing tasks.
Yang predicts a significant reduction in white-collar jobs in the next 12 to 18 months.
Currently, there are about 70 million white-collar workers in the U.S., and Yang expects a 20% to 50% decrease in these jobs over the next few years.
Middle managers are among the most vulnerable to losing their jobs due to their higher costs.
The U.S. job market added 181,000 jobs last year, but that growth is slower compared to the period following the Great Recession.
Experts suggest that people need to learn new skills and adapt to jobs that AI cannot perform.
Some roles, like content creators, have become viable career options due to technological changes.
A new TV series based on Stephen King's novel "Carrie" is planned to release on Amazon Prime Video in October 2026. The series is directed by Mike Flanagan and stars Summer H. Howell as Carrie, with other notable actors in the cast.
Key Facts
The "Carrie" series is based on the novel by Stephen King.
Mike Flanagan is directing the series for Amazon Prime Video.
The series is set to release in October 2026.
Katee Sackhoff, an actress in the series, announced the release window.
Summer H. Howell plays the main character, Carrie.
The series includes Samantha Sloyan and Matthew Lillard in key roles.
Flanagan has previously adapted other Stephen King works for the screen.
Apple announced a "special Apple event" for March 4 in New York City, which may include new product announcements. The company might reveal updates to several devices, including new MacBook models and an iPhone. Similar events are also scheduled for Shanghai and London.
Key Facts
Apple announced an event on March 4, 2026, in New York City.
Events are also planned for Shanghai and London.
Apple may announce new devices with the upcoming A18 chip and other new technology.
Possible products include an A18 MacBook, M5 MacBook Air, and new MacBook Pro models.
There may also be information about new Mac displays and the iPhone 17e.
The event begins at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on March 4.
Apple products might include new color options for MacBooks.
The European Union is investigating Elon Musk's social media platform X over its Grok AI chatbot, which has been creating nonconsensual sexualized deepfake images. The investigation, led by Ireland's Data Protection Commission, will check if X followed the EU's privacy rules. Grok's misuse has caused concern, particularly regarding images that might involve children.
Key Facts
Elon Musk's platform X and its Grok AI chatbot are under EU investigation for privacy issues.
The probe is led by Ireland's Data Protection Commission due to X's European base in Dublin.
Grok produced deepfake images that include sexualized and nonconsensual content.
Some inappropriate images generated by Grok may have involved children.
The investigation will assess if X complies with the EU's GDPR privacy regulations.
Spain is also probing X, Meta, and TikTok for AI-generated child abuse material.
The EU's GDPR allows for large fines if privacy rules are broken.
X's Paris offices were recently raided by French prosecutors as part of related probes.
Humanoid robots were featured prominently in a popular Chinese New Year event. The robots demonstrated both dancing and martial arts during the annual CCTV Spring Festival gala.
Key Facts
Humanoid robots took the stage in a Chinese New Year event.
The event is known as the CCTV Spring Festival gala.
These robots performed dance routines.
They also showcased martial arts skills.
The event highlights China's technological advancements.
The showcase was part of Lunar New Year celebrations.
China's AI technology has advanced to create highly realistic videos using a tool called Seedance 2.0. This technology can make fake but believable videos, which could affect politics by spreading misinformation.
Key Facts
Seedance 2.0 is an advanced AI model developed by the Chinese company ByteDance.
It can make realistic videos from simple text inputs without using real actors or cameras.
The technology has been used to create a fake video featuring actors "Tom Cruise" and "Brad Pitt" that looks very lifelike.
Such tools pose risks for political manipulation by creating fake videos that are hard to distinguish from real ones.
President Donald Trump could be affected by this technology, as it can create fake content that misrepresents his actions or words.
The upcoming U.S. midterm elections might see increased use of AI-generated content to disrupt the political process.
Countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea might use similar technology to spread misinformation and create chaos.
The spread of this technology could lead to a general mistrust in video and media content.
