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Google's YouTube settles social media addiction case with teen

Google's YouTube settles social media addiction case with teen

June 23, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

YouTube, owned by Google, has settled a lawsuit filed by a 15-year-old in Florida who claimed the platform was designed to be addictive. The same teenager is also suing other social media companies like Meta, TikTok, and Snap in ongoing legal cases about social media addiction among young people.

Key Facts

  • A 15-year-old Florida teen sued YouTube, saying its design made the platform addictive.
  • YouTube settled this case, but the teen continues to sue Meta, TikTok, and Snap.
  • Another similar case involving a 20-year-old woman led to a $6 million verdict against YouTube and Meta earlier this year.
  • That previous case is important because it affects many related lawsuits about social media addiction.
  • Features like autoplay and infinite scroll are mentioned as ways to keep users watching longer.
  • YouTube says it has worked to create safer experiences for young users over the past decade.
  • The lawsuits focus on how social media companies might put profits before the mental health of young people.
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BBC Tech BBC Business BBC US
White House drastically shortens deadline for dropping quantum-vulnerable crypto

White House drastically shortens deadline for dropping quantum-vulnerable crypto

June 23, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

The White House has issued a new executive order that speeds up the timeline for government agencies and related organizations to switch to quantum-resistant encryption systems. This change is meant to protect sensitive information from future quantum computer attacks by requiring updates by 2030-2031, several years earlier than initially planned.

Key Facts

  • The order is called Securing the Nation against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks.
  • Agencies handling high-value or high-impact data must adopt quantum-safe key systems by December 31, 2030, and quantum-safe digital signatures by December 31, 2031.
  • This new deadline is about five years earlier than the previous government schedule.
  • Recent research shows building quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption is becoming easier and cheaper than expected.
  • Companies like Google and Cloudflare have also moved up their deadlines to 2029 for stronger encryption.
  • The order sets up a government-wide coordination process led by the Office of Management and Budget and the National Cyber Director.
  • Federal agencies must appoint a person to track and report progress on the quantum encryption transition.
  • It encourages international cooperation to adopt standard quantum-safe algorithms and introduces new rules for contractors to meet these encryption deadlines.
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Ars Technica
Instagram, Facebook Down: Users Report App Not Working

Instagram, Facebook Down: Users Report App Not Working

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Instagram and Facebook experienced a sudden global outage on Tuesday evening. Users were unable to load feeds, view profiles, or refresh posts, with some app features failing and error messages appearing.

Key Facts

  • The outage started around 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • Users worldwide, including in the U.S. and U.K., reported problems.
  • Some parts of the apps continued working, but core functions like loading feeds and profiles failed.
  • Instagram users saw blank profiles and photos that would not load.
  • Facebook pages stalled or showed error screens.
  • The outage caused inconsistent app performance rather than a complete shutdown.
  • The problem involved server-side errors, meaning issues occurred on the platforms’ main computers.
  • The situation is ongoing and being updated as more information becomes available.
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Newsweek
Prime Video Confirms 'Star Wars' Actor for 'Fallout' Season 3

Prime Video Confirms 'Star Wars' Actor for 'Fallout' Season 3

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Prime Video announced three new actors joining the third season of its popular post-apocalyptic series "Fallout." Manny Jacinto, Emily Mortimer, and Thomasin McKenzie will appear alongside returning cast members, with filming set to begin in June 2026 and the release expected in mid-to-late 2027.

Key Facts

  • Manny Jacinto, known for "Star Wars: The Acolyte," will join "Fallout" Season 3.
  • Emily Mortimer and Thomasin McKenzie are new cast members for the upcoming season.
  • Aaron Paul, from "Breaking Bad," was confirmed as part of the cast in May 2026.
  • Returning actors include Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins, Kyle MacLachlan, and Moisés Arias.
  • Filming for Season 3 will start in Los Angeles in June 2026.
  • The third season is expected to premiere in mid-to-late 2027.
  • Season 2 was the second-most-watched sequel series in Prime Video history.
  • The story may focus on conflicts in New Vegas and battles involving groups like Caesar's Legion and the NCR.
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Newsweek
Kunal Shah: The Indian entrepreneur taking charge of WhatsApp

Kunal Shah: The Indian entrepreneur taking charge of WhatsApp

June 23, 2026 • BBC Business

Summary

Kunal Shah, an Indian entrepreneur and founder of the fintech company Cred, has been appointed by Meta to lead WhatsApp. This change comes as WhatsApp plans to grow beyond messaging into payments, business services, and AI products.

Key Facts

  • Kunal Shah founded Cred, a company that rewards people for paying their credit card bills on time.
  • Meta made a $900 million investment in Cred before appointing Shah as WhatsApp’s head.
  • WhatsApp has over three billion users globally.
  • Shah’s first major company was FreeCharge, a mobile recharge platform bought by Snapdeal in 2015.
  • He has worked with startup accelerators like Y Combinator and investors such as Sequoia Capital.
  • Shah studied philosophy in college and worked various jobs while studying.
  • Cred expanded from credit card rewards into lending, insurance, commerce, and wealth management.
  • Cred is valued around $4.5 billion but has faced questions about its long-term profitability.
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BBC Business BBC World
Former CISA Director Chris Krebs calls intelligence community's AI warning "pretty alarming"

Former CISA Director Chris Krebs calls intelligence community's AI warning "pretty alarming"

June 23, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Chris Krebs, who used to lead the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), said a recent warning from intelligence groups about artificial intelligence (AI) is very concerning. The warning says advanced AI could soon be powerful enough to break through cybersecurity protections used by governments and companies.

Key Facts

  • Chris Krebs is the former director of CISA, a U.S. government agency focused on security.
  • An international group of intelligence agencies issued a warning about AI risks.
  • They said advanced AI models could soon overwhelm cybersecurity defenses.
  • This threat affects both government systems and private businesses.
  • Chris Krebs described the warning as "pretty alarming."
  • The warning highlights the growing challenges AI poses to security.
  • Krebs shared his views during an interview with CBS News.
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CBS News
Why Netflix Cancelled This Chart-Topping TV Series

Why Netflix Cancelled This Chart-Topping TV Series

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Netflix cancelled the TV series "The Boroughs" less than a month after it premiered, despite its strong viewership. The main reasons appear to be the show’s very high production costs and changes in Netflix’s leadership, along with the show's creators signing a deal with a rival company.

Key Facts

  • "The Boroughs" was produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, who also created "Stranger Things."
  • The show had about 9.5 million views in its first week and topped Netflix’s TV charts.
  • Production costs were around $10 million per episode, possibly higher.
  • The Duffer brothers signed a four-year deal with Paramount+, a Netflix competitor.
  • The original Netflix executives who approved the show have left for Amazon MGM Studios.
  • New Netflix leaders might not have supported continuing the show.
  • The series debuted on Netflix on May 21, 2026.
  • "The Boroughs" is about a retirement community where a resident discovers something dangerous nearby.
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Newsweek
WATCH: ER doctor prepares for 8-month mission aboard space station

WATCH: ER doctor prepares for 8-month mission aboard space station

June 23, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

Dr. Anil Menon, an emergency room doctor and NASA astronaut, is preparing for an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station. He will launch on July 14 to conduct his space mission.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Anil Menon is both an emergency room doctor and a NASA astronaut.
  • His mission will last eight months.
  • The mission takes place on the International Space Station (ISS).
  • The launch date is scheduled for July 14.
  • NASA uses astronauts with medical training for space missions to handle health issues in space.
  • The article includes an interview with Dr. Menon before his launch.
  • This mission is part of ongoing human space exploration efforts.
  • Dr. Darien Sutton, a medical correspondent, conducted the interview with Dr. Menon.
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ABC News
Oracle’s 21,000 layoffs help drive its debt-fueled AI investments

Oracle’s 21,000 layoffs help drive its debt-fueled AI investments

June 23, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Oracle cut 21,000 jobs in one year, partly because it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its operations. The company is investing heavily in AI and cloud infrastructure, borrowing a large amount of money to fund these efforts.

Key Facts

  • Oracle reduced its workforce by 12.9%, from 162,000 to 141,000 employees in a year.
  • The layoffs are linked to Oracle’s use of AI technologies to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
  • Oracle is spending a lot of money to build data centers to support AI workloads and cloud services.
  • The company plans to raise $45 to $50 billion in 2026, with about half coming from debt.
  • Oracle’s total debt exceeds $120 billion as of its fiscal year 2026 report.
  • Bondholders sued Oracle, saying they lost money because the company did not clearly share its debt plans to fund AI infrastructure.
  • Oracle’s large job cuts might hurt productivity and employee morale, but help improve cash flow.
  • AI is becoming a common reason companies use to explain job cuts, especially in the technology sector.
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Ars Technica
Tech Life

Tech Life

June 23, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

Shiona McCallum visits a large technology event in Paris called VivaTech. She explores new gadgets, including wearable devices, and discusses the importance and challenges of data centers with a leading industry expert.

Key Facts

  • The event VivaTech takes place in Paris and showcases new technology.
  • Shiona McCallum reports from the event, highlighting devices that could soon be used at home or work.
  • Data centers, which store and manage online information, are a key focus.
  • Data centers are essential for modern internet use but face some problems.
  • Shiona interviews the leader of a major global data center company about these challenges.
  • Wearable technology, which can be worn on the body, is also featured at the event.
  • The program is produced by Tom Quinn for the BBC World Service.
  • The show has been available for over a year.
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BBC Tech
A curious crossover: The Toyota C-HR review

A curious crossover: The Toyota C-HR review

June 23, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Toyota has released the electric C-HR, a smaller SUV compared to its bZ4x model. The C-HR features a twin-motor all-wheel-drive system, modern interior controls, and sporty styling, making it distinct from Toyota’s other electric SUVs.

Key Facts

  • The C-HR is approximately 6.7 inches shorter than the Toyota bZ4x but has similar width.
  • It is powered by a twin-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 338 horsepower with a 74.7 kWh battery.
  • The starting price for the C-HR is about $37,000, which is nearly $3,000 less than a similarly powered bZ model.
  • The interior includes a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and many physical buttons for ease of use.
  • Rear seat space is modest, with some rear headroom reduced by an optional panoramic glass roof.
  • There is only one 15W USB-C port in the back, while the front has two 60W ports.
  • Toyota offers heated seats in the front and heated rear seats in the higher-end C-HR XSE model.
  • The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds, matching Toyota’s other AWD electric vehicles.
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Ars Technica
Meta halts worker tracking for AI training due to privacy fears

Meta halts worker tracking for AI training due to privacy fears

June 23, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

Meta has stopped a company program that tracked employees’ computer use to help train artificial intelligence (AI) models. The program was paused after concerns about privacy and some data being accessible to many employees.

Key Facts

  • The program started two months ago to collect data like mouse clicks and keystrokes.
  • It aimed to improve Meta’s AI models by understanding how employees used their computers.
  • Many employees were unhappy because their actions were tracked without their full consent.
  • Nearly 2,000 workers signed a petition asking for the program to stop.
  • Meta paused the program after finding some data could be accessed by many employees.
  • The company said there was no sign anyone misused the data.
  • Meta is spending up to $145 billion this year on AI projects.
  • Employee morale has dropped due to tracking issues, layoffs, and company reorganizations focused on AI.
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BBC Tech BBC Business BBC Top Stories
Maps Show 40 Cities Taking Stand Against AI Data Centers Draining Resources

Maps Show 40 Cities Taking Stand Against AI Data Centers Draining Resources

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Forty mayors worldwide have agreed on a plan to control the growth and impact of AI data centers in cities. These data centers use a lot of electricity and water, which puts pressure on local resources and increases costs.

Key Facts

  • The agreement was launched by C40 Cities during London Climate Action Week.
  • Cities hosting data centers want to limit their effects on electricity and water supplies.
  • Data centers need to be built on unused land and use renewable energy.
  • The plan includes reducing water use, pollution, and capturing waste heat.
  • Phoenix and Melbourne are examples of cities facing high demands from data centers.
  • Some places have paused incentives or construction of new data centers due to concerns.
  • About half of the cities that joined the pact are in the United States.
  • No cities from Southeast Asia have signed the pact yet due to national rules.
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Newsweek
White House quiet on OpenAI's Mythos-like model

White House quiet on OpenAI's Mythos-like model

June 23, 2026 • Axios

Summary

OpenAI released a new cybersecurity AI model called GPT-5.5-Cyber that performs similarly or better than Anthropic’s Mythos 5 model. This release happened quietly, without the political issues that Anthropic has faced with export controls and government concerns.

Key Facts

  • OpenAI introduced GPT-5.5-Cyber to improve cybersecurity work with companies and researchers.
  • GPT-5.5-Cyber scored 85.6% on CyberGym, a test for AI detecting software vulnerabilities.
  • Mythos 5 from Anthropic scored 83.8% on the same CyberGym test.
  • Anthropic faces export controls restricting use of its models by foreign nationals.
  • The White House and OpenAI did not comment on the differing treatment of these AI models.
  • OpenAI expanded partnerships in several countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and the European Union.
  • Talks about access to Mythos were a key topic at the recent G7 Summit.
  • Reports suggest personal conflicts between Anthropic and the Trump administration influenced the export restrictions on Anthropic.
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Axios
China's AI advances collide with U.S. safety debate

China's AI advances collide with U.S. safety debate

June 23, 2026 • Axios

Summary

China's new open-source AI model, GLM-5.2, has shown advances comparable to top U.S. models, raising concerns about how quickly China is catching up in AI technology. In the U.S., government debates continue over the safe release of advanced AI models amid fears that China could use AI to enhance cyber and military operations.

Key Facts

  • China released an open-source AI model called GLM-5.2, which matches the capabilities of leading U.S. models like Anthropic's Opus 4.8.
  • The U.S. government and industry are still debating how to safely release advanced AI models due to national security concerns.
  • Experts estimate China has reduced the U.S. lead in frontier AI technologies to about six to nine months.
  • Chinese AI progress worries officials because the technology could improve surveillance, cyber attacks, and military decisions.
  • China’s open-source approach may make its AI technology more attractive to companies worldwide.
  • Some experts argue that China still lacks access to the most advanced computer chips and the vast data needed to lead in AI.
  • AI researchers are concerned that restricting access to U.S. AI models might limit their ability to predict future AI threats.
  • OpenAI recently updated its cyber-focused AI model GPT-5.5-Cyber, which performs better than some competing models.
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Axios
Intelligence agencies warn AI models could launch crippling cyberattacks in months

Intelligence agencies warn AI models could launch crippling cyberattacks in months

June 23, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Intelligence agencies from five countries, called the Five Eyes, have warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing cybersecurity risks. They urged world leaders to act fast to prevent hackers from using AI to carry out serious cyberattacks soon.

Key Facts

  • The Five Eyes group includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • These countries’ intelligence agencies issued a joint warning about AI and cybersecurity.
  • AI is becoming a bigger threat in cybercrime because it can be used to launch attacks more easily and quickly.
  • The agencies say malicious actors may soon use AI to cause major damage through cyberattacks.
  • They call for global leaders to take immediate steps to improve defenses and controls against AI-driven threats.
  • This warning highlights the need for international cooperation on cybersecurity as AI technology advances.
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The Hill
The Next AI Race Will Be Won on the Factory Floor

The Next AI Race Will Be Won on the Factory Floor

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

AI is moving from just generating ideas or text to working directly with robots and machines in factories and warehouses. This change raises new questions about safety, responsibility, and how AI systems can work smoothly with old machines and human workers.

Key Facts

  • AI is being used more in physical systems like robots and manufacturing equipment.
  • Companies like NVIDIA and TSMC help build the hardware needed for AI-powered robots to work on a large scale.
  • The U.S. has 1.7 million fewer workers than before the pandemic, making AI and robotics more important for manufacturing.
  • The UK plans to spend about $650 billion by 2028 to boost manufacturing and reduce supply chain problems.
  • Governments see manufacturing capacity as linked to national security and economic strength.
  • Factories face challenges combining AI with older machinery that wasn’t designed for digital systems.
  • When AI-powered machines make mistakes on the factory floor, it is unclear who should be held responsible.
  • A conference called "World of Tomorrow" in Edinburgh brings leaders from industry, government, and defense to discuss these issues.
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Newsweek
Why the AI Nightmare Is a Dream Come True

Why the AI Nightmare Is a Dream Come True

June 23, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

The cyber agencies of the Five Eyes countries—including the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—issued a joint warning about rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) that could change cyber attacks and defenses soon. Despite concerns, experts say having leading AI models in U.S. hands gives America an advantage, allowing it to find and fix cybersecurity weaknesses before enemies can exploit them.

Key Facts

  • The Five Eyes alliance warned about the fast development of advanced AI models that affect cyber security.
  • Anthropic’s AI model called Mythos could infiltrate highly secure NSA networks under certain conditions.
  • The White House stopped public access to Anthropic’s most advanced models due to national security worries.
  • AI is a dual-use technology, helping both offense (military/intelligence use) and defense in cybersecurity.
  • The U.S. benefits first from discovering its own AI-related security flaws and can fix them before adversaries exploit them.
  • Anthropic’s Project Glasswing uses Mythos to find and patch vulnerabilities in critical software early.
  • Mythos Preview identified nearly 3,900 serious security gaps in open-source software and uncovered a decades-old flaw in OpenBSD.
  • Several major companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase partner with Anthropic on this defense project.
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Newsweek
WATCH: ER doctor set for 8-month mission to space

WATCH: ER doctor set for 8-month mission to space

June 23, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

Dr. Anil Menon, an emergency room doctor, is preparing for an 8-month mission aboard the International Space Station. During his time in space, he will conduct scientific studies related to health and medicine.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Anil Menon is an ER doctor selected for a space mission.
  • The mission will last for 8 months.
  • He will live and work on the International Space Station.
  • His studies will focus on health and medical research in space.
  • The mission aims to increase understanding of how space affects the human body.
  • This is part of ongoing research to support long-duration space travel.
  • The news was shared by ABC News with comments from Dr. Darien Sutton.
  • The mission is scheduled for the year 2026.
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ABC News
Proxy war between AI industry, safety groups comes to head in NY House primary

Proxy war between AI industry, safety groups comes to head in NY House primary

June 23, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Voters in New York City are deciding in a Democratic primary election that highlights a struggle between artificial intelligence (AI) companies and nonprofit groups seeking stronger controls on AI. The race aims to choose a new representative after Rep. Jerry Nadler retires, with candidates representing different views on AI regulation.

Key Facts

  • The election is in New York City for the Democratic primary.
  • The winner will replace Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is retiring.
  • The campaign centers on differing opinions about AI technology.
  • AI companies support candidates favoring fewer regulations.
  • Nonprofit safety groups back candidates who want stricter AI rules.
  • This election is seen as a key moment in the debate on AI policy.
  • Voters’ choice will reflect public attitude toward AI’s future oversight.
  • The outcome may influence how AI is regulated at the government level.
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The Hill