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Alarm over launch of facial recognition in UK shops that instantly alerts police

Alarm over launch of facial recognition in UK shops that instantly alerts police

July 10, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Shops in the UK will soon use facial recognition technology that can alert police immediately when serious offenders enter. Civil rights groups warn this technology raises privacy concerns and may wrongly target people who have not committed a crime.

Key Facts

  • Facewatch provides facial recognition for over 100 UK shops, including Sainsbury’s, B&M, and Spar.
  • The new feature will notify police within about four seconds if a serious offender is identified.
  • Civil liberties groups say this technology advances faster than laws and may lead to unfair treatment.
  • Some people have been wrongly identified and removed from shops, with higher error rates for Black and Asian individuals.
  • Biometrics watchdogs warn national oversight is not keeping up with the fast growth of facial recognition use.
  • Facewatch alerted retailers nearly 300,000 times about repeat offenders in the first half of 2026.
  • Shoplifting incidents in England and Wales numbered over 500,000 in the year ending December 2025.
  • Experts say less intrusive methods should be used to prevent shoplifting and that private sector use lacks clear legal rules.
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Guardian World Guardian Tech
Facebook and Instagram must stop ‘addictive’ features causing infinite scrolling, EU tells Meta

Facebook and Instagram must stop ‘addictive’ features causing infinite scrolling, EU tells Meta

July 10, 2026 • France24

Summary

The European Union told Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, to stop using features that make the platforms addictive, like infinite scrolling and automatic video playing. If Meta does not make these changes, it could face large fines for breaking EU content rules.

Key Facts

  • The EU wants Meta to disable addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay by default.
  • The EU is concerned these features harm physical and mental health, especially for children and vulnerable adults.
  • Meta is asked to add screen time breaks and change recommendation systems to reduce user engagement pressure.
  • If Meta does not comply, it could be fined up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
  • The EU began investigating Meta in 2024 under the Digital Services Act, a law to regulate big tech companies.
  • Meta disagrees with the EU’s findings but says it will keep working with EU officials.
  • The EU says Meta’s current time management and parental controls are not strong enough or easy to use.
  • Other tech companies like TikTok have also faced similar warnings from the EU.
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France24
EU accuses Meta of failing to tackle mental health risks of ‘addictive design’

EU accuses Meta of failing to tackle mental health risks of ‘addictive design’

July 10, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

The European Union (EU) has accused Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, of not addressing the mental and physical health risks caused by features like video autoplay and infinite scroll. The EU says these features encourage unhealthy and compulsive use, especially among children, and may break EU law under the Digital Services Act.

Key Facts

  • The EU claims Meta’s design features lead to addictive use of Facebook and Instagram.
  • Features like video autoplay and infinite scroll make users keep scrolling without thinking.
  • The EU is concerned about children using Instagram and Facebook at night and the impact on their health.
  • Meta is accused of allowing children under 13 to use its platforms, which breaks EU rules and Meta’s own policies.
  • The EU wants Meta to remove autoplay and infinite scroll as default settings and add screen breaks.
  • Meta could be fined up to 6% of its total yearly earnings if the charges are confirmed.
  • The EU’s Digital Services Act aims to protect users from internet harms like scams, false information, and harmful content.
  • This comes just before an EU expert panel’s report on social media use by children, with some countries considering bans for young users.
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Guardian World Guardian Tech
Big tech must deal with scam ads under Ofcom proposals

Big tech must deal with scam ads under Ofcom proposals

July 10, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

The UK regulator Ofcom has proposed new rules requiring big tech platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to take stronger actions against scam advertisements. If these rules become law, companies that fail to comply could face large fines to protect users from fraudulent ads online.

Key Facts

  • Ofcom wants major platforms to stop scam ads and ban users who post or impersonate scams.
  • More than half of UK adults have seen potentially fraudulent ads online, with over a third seeing them frequently.
  • Non-compliant companies could be fined £18 million or 10% of their global turnover.
  • Platforms must remove scam ads quickly and reduce how long they remain visible.
  • Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Quora, Reddit, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube are on Ofcom’s list of services facing the toughest rules.
  • Ofcom is consulting on these proposals until 2 October before finalizing any new rules.
  • The Online Safety Act (OSA) governs these new responsibilities and categorizes platforms based on their size and impact.
  • Consumer groups welcome the move but want faster action due to increasing AI-generated scam risks.
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BBC Tech BBC Top Stories
China takes a page from SpaceX and recaptures the first stage of a rocket to reuse it

China takes a page from SpaceX and recaptures the first stage of a rocket to reuse it

July 10, 2026 • AP News

Summary

China successfully captured and recovered the first stage of its Long March-10B rocket using a net system on a platform at sea. This is the first time China has reused a rocket's first stage, following a practice already used by the American company SpaceX to reduce launch costs.

Key Facts

  • China recovered the first stage of a Long March-10B rocket after launch.
  • The recovery used a net-capture system on a seaborne platform near Hainan Island.
  • This is China's first successful recovery of a rocket's first stage.
  • SpaceX, a U.S. company, has been recovering and reusing rocket boosters for several years.
  • Reusing rocket stages helps lower the cost of sending things into space.
  • The Long March-10B can carry up to 16,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit.
  • SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket can carry up to 22,800 kilograms into low Earth orbit.
  • Falcon 9 rockets are used to send astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.
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AP News
AI boom puts Big Tech's transparency to the test

AI boom puts Big Tech's transparency to the test

July 10, 2026 • Axios

Summary

Big tech companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are releasing new reports about how much energy and water their AI data centers use. These companies vary in how much information they share, and there is no standard rule for reporting this data yet.

Key Facts

  • AI data centers use a lot of electricity and water, which affects the environment.
  • Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta control about two thirds of the top data center power capacity.
  • The United Nations has asked tech companies to fully disclose their AI data centers' use of carbon, water, and land.
  • Companies say they support transparency but report their environmental impacts differently.
  • Meta ranks highest in transparency, Amazon ranks lowest in overall disclosure.
  • No current law requires companies to share specific environmental details of AI.
  • Google focuses on local water risk, while Meta discloses water used in electricity generation.
  • Tech firms are investing in clean energy, with Google and Microsoft seen as leaders.
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Axios
Inside the alternative playbook to AI regulation

Inside the alternative playbook to AI regulation

July 10, 2026 • Axios

Summary

The U.S. government and AI companies have been working together to set rules for powerful AI models, but the process has been complicated and unclear. The Trump administration changed earlier safety rules from the Biden era and imposed export controls and licensing on companies like Anthropic, while some experts say better planning and more technical knowledge in government could have made regulation smoother.

Key Facts

  • OpenAI and Anthropic received government approval to release powerful AI models under President Trump’s regulatory approach.
  • The Trump administration removed some Biden-era rules that required companies to report AI safety test results to the government.
  • Export controls and licensing requirements were applied to Anthropic due to safety and security concerns, especially related to “jailbreaking” (tricking AI to bypass safety limits).
  • Experts say there was no clear framework to decide how serious AI safety issues must be before government action.
  • The U.S. government has struggled to hire AI experts; less than 1% of AI PhDs work for the government.
  • Agencies involved in AI regulation, like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, are underfunded.
  • Some states have started their own AI rules and training programs, but Congress has not passed comprehensive AI safety laws.
  • AI industry leaders, including OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, have found the government negotiation process productive despite challenges.
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Axios
Common Gym Supplement Could Help Fight Cancer, Study Finds

Common Gym Supplement Could Help Fight Cancer, Study Finds

July 10, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Scientists at UCLA discovered that creatine, a supplement often used for muscle building, may help the immune system fight cancer. Their study found that creatine supports special immune cells called dendritic cells, which activate cancer-fighting T cells.

Key Facts

  • Creatine is commonly used by people who exercise to build muscle.
  • Researchers studied mice and human cells to understand creatine’s effect on the immune system.
  • Dendritic cells use creatine to work properly inside tumors.
  • These cells act like “intelligence officers” that help the body recognize and attack cancer.
  • When dendritic cells could not absorb creatine, they were weaker and less able to activate T cells.
  • T cells are immune cells that can kill cancer cells once activated.
  • The study suggests that creatine might improve the body’s response to cancer immunotherapy.
  • More research, including clinical trials, is needed to confirm these results in humans.
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Newsweek
‘AI accountability agenda’: US senator unveils package of bills to curb tech’s harms

‘AI accountability agenda’: US senator unveils package of bills to curb tech’s harms

July 10, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

US Senator Ed Markey has introduced a set of bills called the "AI accountability agenda" to address the dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence (AI). His proposed laws focus on controlling the environmental impact of AI data centers, preventing workplace discrimination by AI, protecting children from harmful chatbots, and ensuring human oversight of AI decisions.

Key Facts

  • Senator Ed Markey plans new federal rules requiring AI data centers to get approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before construction.
  • The FCC would check that data centers do not harm air and water quality, local wildlife, noise levels, energy costs, and jobs.
  • Markey aims to stop companies from mainly using AI systems to hire, fire, or promote workers.
  • There would be stronger rules to protect kids from emotional dependence on AI chatbots.
  • AI developers would need to do independent checks to find bias or discrimination before releasing AI tools that affect important decisions.
  • Federal agencies using AI must have offices focused on fighting bias and discrimination.
  • Health care facilities would be required to have options for humans to override AI decisions.
  • Workers would be protected if they disagree with AI recommendations in their jobs.
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Guardian World Guardian US Guardian Tech
Haves, have-nots and know-nots: Inside AI's new class divide

Haves, have-nots and know-nots: Inside AI's new class divide

July 10, 2026 • Axios

Summary

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a big gap in how people experience and use it. While some experts use advanced AI tools for coding and research, most Americans only see simpler versions like chatbots or search helpers and don’t fully understand or trust AI.

Key Facts

  • Advanced AI models like OpenAI’s Sol and Anthropic’s Fable are used by a small group of expert users for tasks like coding and cybersecurity.
  • Most Americans encounter AI through basic tools like chatbots, search summaries, or customer service bots, not advanced AI systems.
  • Around half of U.S. adults use AI chatbots, mostly for simple information searches.
  • There is a hierarchy of AI users: free users, paid users, power users, preview users, and an insider class with early access to new AI tools.
  • AI trust is low: 63% of Americans think AI is advancing too fast, and only 16% believe it will benefit society in the next 20 years.
  • The biggest benefits of AI currently go to investors, big tech companies, and elite users, while many workers face job disruptions.
  • The U.S. government has created AI literacy programs and funded workforce retraining to help workers adapt to AI changes.
  • Despite education efforts, most people lack access to the best AI tools and deeper technical knowledge.
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Axios
China lands reusable rocket for first time, state media says

China lands reusable rocket for first time, state media says

July 10, 2026 • BBC World

Summary

China successfully landed and recovered a reusable rocket booster for the first time, a major step forward in its space program. The Long March 10B rocket booster landed vertically on a floating platform about six minutes after launch from Hainan, southern China.

Key Facts

  • The Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan, China, at 12:15 local time.
  • About six minutes after separating from the upper stage, the booster landed vertically on a floating platform.
  • This is China’s first successful landing of a reusable rocket booster.
  • Reusable boosters help reduce the cost of space launches by allowing important parts to be used multiple times.
  • The Long March 10B can carry a payload of at least 16 metric tons to low-Earth orbit.
  • Instead of landing on a ground pad or drone ship like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the Long March 10B uses landing hooks to catch a net on a floating platform.
  • China’s earlier attempt in February 2024 with the Long March 10A resulted in a controlled splashdown near a recovery platform.
  • Shares in Chinese space companies rose sharply after the news, hitting the daily allowed limit increase.
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BBC World
Telstra CEO ‘deeply sorry’ for outage and admits risk of time-keeping failure was known

Telstra CEO ‘deeply sorry’ for outage and admits risk of time-keeping failure was known

July 10, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Telstra experienced a nationwide outage that lasted nearly five hours due to a software fault in its time-keeping system, which caused the network to think it was 2006. The company apologized and is investigating why backup systems failed to prevent the problem. Meanwhile, South Australian police are looking into whether a death during the outage was linked to emergency call failures.

Key Facts

  • Telstra's network went down for almost five hours on Wednesday morning because its time system reset to the wrong date (2006).
  • The outage affected mobile phone service, payment machines (Eftpos), rail services, and other systems depending on the network.
  • Telstra knew about risks related to its time-keeping system before the outage.
  • Backup systems designed to stop such failures did not work, and Telstra is investigating why.
  • Telstra CEO Vicki Brady apologized and spoke publicly after cutting short her holiday.
  • Police in South Australia are investigating if a person's death during the outage was linked to emergency call problems.
  • A similar time-related outage happened to another telecom company in Jersey in 2020, which also disrupted emergency calls.
  • The error occurs when a system's internal clock resets to a date far in the past, causing network equipment to stop working properly.
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Guardian World
'Cool in 90 seconds' - the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet

'Cool in 90 seconds' - the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet

July 10, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

Online ads in the UK are promoting small, portable air conditioners that claim to cool rooms quickly and efficiently. The Advertising Standards Agency says these claims are often false, and testing showed the products are usually ineffective, sometimes just simple fans.

Key Facts

  • Ads appear on Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms, claiming these portable air conditioners cool rooms in 90 seconds.
  • The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) warns many ads make unrealistic claims and use fake customer reviews.
  • Devices tested by a YouTuber cost about £70 but worked no better than a cheap fan.
  • Some ads use AI-generated images to make products look more advanced.
  • These devices are often “swamp coolers” that work poorly in humid climates like the UK’s.
  • The ASA advises consumers to be cautious of products that promise fast cooling, have poor grammar in ads, or feature too-good-to-be-true reviews.
  • People can report suspicious ads to the ASA for investigation.
  • The ASA monitors these ads and can ban them, but it cannot fine advertisers directly.
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BBC Tech BBC Top Stories BBC Business
‘A lot of red flags’: plans for New Zealand’s first datacentre spark concern as locals demand greater transparency

‘A lot of red flags’: plans for New Zealand’s first datacentre spark concern as locals demand greater transparency

July 10, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

A Singapore-based company, Datagrid, plans to build New Zealand’s first AI datacentre near Invercargill, with construction starting this year and operations by 2028. Local residents are concerned about the project's environmental impacts, including high electricity and water use, noise, and limited long-term local benefits, while authorities highlight potential job creation and economic growth.

Key Facts

  • Datagrid received approval to build a NZ$3.5 billion AI datacentre on a 49-hectare site in Makarewa, near Invercargill.
  • The datacentre will serve AI and cloud providers globally and plans to build a high-speed internet cable to Australia.
  • It will be New Zealand’s second largest electricity user, consuming 280 megawatts.
  • Construction will create about 1,200 jobs, with around 50 permanent positions after completion.
  • Residents worry about environmental effects like high water use, noise pollution, and the use of up to 84 diesel generators during power shortages.
  • Some experts doubt the long-term economic benefits for the local area, pointing out limited permanent jobs.
  • The New Zealand government supports datacentre projects to attract NZ$25-30 billion in foreign investment and grow AI infrastructure.
  • A report estimates the datacentre industry could generate up to NZ$70 billion in economic activity in the next decade.
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Guardian World Guardian Tech
OpenAI's No. 2 executive steps down over health issues

OpenAI's No. 2 executive steps down over health issues

July 10, 2026 • Axios

Summary

Fidji Simo is leaving her role as OpenAI’s head of product and business due to worsening health from a chronic illness called POTS. She will continue to advise OpenAI part-time while the company’s president is handling product responsibilities during her absence.

Key Facts

  • Fidji Simo stepped down because of a serious worsening of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition diagnosed in 2019.
  • She began medical leave in April before officially resigning from her full-time role.
  • OpenAI President Greg Brockman took over product duties during her medical leave.
  • Simo will stay at OpenAI as a part-time advisor after stepping down.
  • CEO Sam Altman expressed sadness about her departure and wished her a quick recovery.
  • Simo joined OpenAI in 2025 after leading Instacart through its public offering and working over ten years at Meta.
  • She was hired to help grow OpenAI’s business as the company moved from research to real-world AI products.
  • The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
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Axios
Instagram’s AI image generator alarms privacy experts

Instagram’s AI image generator alarms privacy experts

July 09, 2026 • Guardian Tech

Summary

Meta has introduced Muse Image, an AI tool that can create pictures using faces from public Instagram profiles by default. Privacy experts are concerned because users are not notified when their photos are used, and opting out requires finding a hidden setting.

Key Facts

  • Muse Image allows AI-generated photos using faces from public Instagram accounts.
  • Private accounts and users under 18 are automatically excluded from the feature.
  • Adult users with public accounts can opt out by changing a setting in Instagram's “sharing and reuse” section.
  • Meta does not notify users when their photos are used in AI-generated images by default.
  • Privacy experts say the opt-out setting is hard to find and that data sharing is turned on by default.
  • Meta says it has safety controls and will act against content violating community rules.
  • There is uncertainty if children shown in public photos of adults are included in AI image generation.
  • Critics argue this setting should be opt-in since users did not expect new uses of their photos when joining Instagram.
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Guardian Tech
News outlets ask court to sanction OpenAI in copyright case

News outlets ask court to sanction OpenAI in copyright case

July 09, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Several news outlets, including The New York Times, have asked a judge to punish OpenAI for not providing evidence in a legal dispute. The case involves claims that OpenAI used copyrighted news content without permission to train its AI models.

Key Facts

  • Multiple news organizations are involved in the lawsuit against OpenAI.
  • They claim OpenAI used their copyrighted articles without approval.
  • The issue centers on how OpenAI trained ChatGPT's AI technology.
  • The news outlets say OpenAI did not fully share evidence in court.
  • They want the judge to impose sanctions on OpenAI for withholding information.
  • The dispute highlights conflicts over AI use of copyrighted material.
  • OpenAI denies it can search some data to respond to the legal requests.
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The Hill
Meta's AI imaging tool Muse could make public Instagram users vulnerable to deepfakes

Meta's AI imaging tool Muse could make public Instagram users vulnerable to deepfakes

July 09, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Meta has introduced a new AI tool called Muse that lets Instagram users create AI-generated images using photos from public accounts. This tool can make people’s images vulnerable to deepfakes without their permission or awareness.

Key Facts

  • Meta launched an AI imaging tool named Muse.
  • Muse can create AI-generated images using photos from public Instagram profiles.
  • Users do not need to get approval or notify the person whose photo is used.
  • This raises concerns about people being targeted by deepfakes—fake images or videos made to look real.
  • The tool could affect the privacy and security of public Instagram users.
  • Muse is part of a growing trend in AI tools that manipulate images.
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CBS News
OpenAI wants its new tool to do your work for you and with you

OpenAI wants its new tool to do your work for you and with you

July 09, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Work, a new tool designed to help users complete long and complex projects by automating workflows and managing tasks over time. The tool connects with common work apps, can run scheduled tasks, and uses updated AI models to improve performance while allowing users to approve important actions.

Key Facts

  • ChatGPT Work can handle tasks for hours, turning goals into finished work.
  • It integrates with workplace tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and SharePoint through plugins.
  • The tool includes Scheduled Tasks, which automate repetitive jobs on a set schedule or when certain events happen.
  • Users can control access to outside apps and files with compliance and admin settings.
  • ChatGPT Work merges with OpenAI’s Codex coding app technology but offers separate views for different uses.
  • The existing basic ChatGPT app is renamed “ChatGPT Classic” and is now less prominent.
  • Usage of ChatGPT Work is billed based on a credit system and subscription plans, with usage limits to control costs.
  • The launch coincides with the release of the new GPT-5.6 AI model, designed for better cost efficiency and stronger performance.
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Ars Technica
NYT-led group asks court to sanction OpenAI in US copyright dispute

NYT-led group asks court to sanction OpenAI in US copyright dispute

July 09, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

Several U.S. media companies, including The New York Times and Daily News, have asked a federal court to penalize OpenAI for allegedly hiding evidence in a lawsuit about copyright. The case focuses on whether OpenAI used millions of news articles without permission to train its AI, ChatGPT, which may affect how news is shared and paid for online.

Key Facts

  • The New York Times, Daily News, and other media outlets are suing OpenAI and Microsoft over copyright issues related to AI.
  • The media companies claim OpenAI hid important data showing how it used news articles to train ChatGPT.
  • They want the court to sanction OpenAI for "discovery misconduct," which means hiding or destroying evidence.
  • OpenAI says revealing ChatGPT conversation logs could harm user privacy.
  • The lawsuit started in late 2023 after ChatGPT’s rise changed how people find information on the internet.
  • Google introduced AI summaries in 2024, reducing traffic and ad money for news websites.
  • Other copyright owners like authors and artists are also suing AI companies for using their work without permission.
  • The New York Times has spent over $28 million on court cases against AI companies, while some media companies have licensed their content to AI firms.
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Al Jazeera