Discord will require users worldwide to verify their age through a face scan or ID to access adult content. This change aims to protect teen users by restricting access to age-sensitive materials. The company assures that age verification data will not be stored.
Key Facts
Discord requires global age verification for adult content access starting in early March.
Users must use a face scan or upload an ID for age confirmation.
The safety measures are meant to create a teen-appropriate experience by default.
Verified adults will have access to age-restricted communities and content.
Discord says it will not store verification information or face scans.
Only known users can send direct messages unless the recipient completes age verification.
Privacy concerns exist, as similar methods have raised risks in the past.
Discord has faced previous criticism due to a data leak involving ID photos.
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HBO Max is launching in the UK and Ireland on March 26, offering shows like Friends, Harry Potter, and The Pitt. The service will compete with other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV, providing both new and existing popular shows. HBO Max is working with Sky to reach over 10 million households at launch.
Key Facts
HBO Max will launch in the UK and Ireland on March 26, 2024.
The service will include popular shows like Friends, Euphoria, and a new Harry Potter series.
Monthly subscription plans range from £4.99 to £30.99, including TNT Sports.
Existing HBO shows will stay on Sky, but new HBO content will be exclusive to HBO Max.
HBO Max and Sky have a deal allowing a membership bundle for existing Now subscribers.
The service will offer films and sporting events like the Premier League and FA Cup.
Netflix may pursue acquiring HBO Max's parent company, Warner Bros Discovery.
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A study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots can give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice. This could pose risks for users trying to get help for health issues.
Key Facts
AI chatbots can provide both good and bad medical advice, making it hard for users to know what to trust.
The study included 1,300 participants who used AI to help diagnose symptoms like severe headaches.
People often had trouble asking the right questions and received varied answers based on question phrasing.
Users struggled to identify which advice from the AI was useful.
The study suggests the unreliability of AI poses challenges in healthcare contexts.
Recent developments in AI-focused health models by companies like OpenAI and Anthropic may influence future outcomes.
Experts suggest improvements in AI technology should include clear regulations and guidelines.
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The FBI is warning people about an increase in romance scams as Valentine's Day approaches. These scams result in significant financial losses and often involve the use of fake online identities to gain trust and request money. Scammers are making these schemes more believable by using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing profiles.
Key Facts
The FBI is issuing warnings to be vigilant about romance scams, especially around Valentine's Day.
In Virginia, over 200 complaints about romance scams were filed last year, with losses exceeding $20 million.
Scammers are increasingly using AI to create realistic profiles and messages.
Common platforms for scams include dating apps and social media.
Victims often receive financial requests for emergencies, travel, medical bills, or cryptocurrency.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported over 17,000 romance scam complaints in 2024, resulting in losses of more than $672 million.
The FBI encourages quick reporting of suspected scams to help stop these criminal activities.
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Netflix used AI technology to create digital versions of people in their documentary, "The Investigation of Lucy Letby," to protect their privacy. This move raises questions about the impact of using AI-generated "humans" in storytelling, especially in sensitive true crime stories.
Key Facts
Netflix produced a documentary called "The Investigation of Lucy Letby."
The documentary used AI to create digital versions of real people to keep their identities private.
A small disclaimer in the documentary indicated that some figures were "Digitally Anonymized."
The use of AI-generated "humans" in the documentary sparked concerns about authenticity and emotional connection.
Netflix stated the use of AI was to protect the contributors' anonymity at their request.
The discussion highlights the ethical implications of using AI in documentaries, especially in true crime stories where emotional authenticity is important.
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The European Union (EU) informed Meta that it is violating rules by restricting other companies' AI chatbots from accessing WhatsApp. The EU believes this blocks competition and could enforce changes if Meta does not address the issue.
Key Facts
The EU claims Meta blocked other AI chatbots from WhatsApp, allowing only its own AI assistant, Meta AI, to operate.
The European Commission views WhatsApp as a crucial platform for AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to reach users.
Meta argues that the EU mistakenly sees WhatsApp Business as a significant use for chatbots, disagreeing with the intervention.
The EU could impose temporary measures if Meta does not address the competition concerns promptly.
EU digital laws are actively investigating large tech companies, including Meta, for anti-competitive behavior.
This action follows recent EU scrutiny of TikTok and Elon Musk’s X regarding different compliance issues.
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Sony is holding a PlayStation State of Play event on February 12, 2026. This livestream will show new games and updates for the PlayStation 5 and will last over an hour. You can watch it on the PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels.
Key Facts
The PlayStation State of Play event is on February 12, 2026.
The presentation will start at 2:00 pm PST/5:00 pm EST.
It will show new games and updates coming to PlayStation 5.
The livestream will be over an hour long.
You can watch it on the official PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels.
The event will include content from third-party and indie game developers.
It offers detailed looks at some games, including gameplay and story elements.
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People are using AI to get legal advice, causing problems for lawyers. AI can give clients unrealistic expectations, which affects how lawyers work. Although AI is improving legal tasks, it's not yet replacing traditional legal tools.
Key Facts
AI is being used by both lawyers and their clients for legal advice.
Lawyers worry that AI affects their ability to charge by the hour.
Chatbots like ChatGPT sometimes provide misleading legal advice.
Legal firms are using AI to manage documents more efficiently.
Some lawyers were penalized for using AI that resulted in false information.
Legal market shares dropped due to the introduction of new AI legal products.
AI tools are not yet a complete replacement for established legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis.
The legal industry is unlikely to change quickly due to AI.
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MrBeast has launched a contest with a $1 million prize that was announced during a Super Bowl ad. Participants need to follow cryptic clues from a QR code provided in the advertisement to solve a series of puzzles.
Key Facts
MrBeast announced a $1 million competition during the Super Bowl.
The contest involves solving a sequence of puzzles.
A QR code in the ad directs participants to the puzzles.
MrBeast described the puzzle as difficult and requiring many steps.
The contest is open to participants in the United States.
The TV ad was sponsored by the company Slack.
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Many musicians are finding it challenging to convert fans from short viral video clips into listeners on platforms like Spotify. While social media helps artists gain exposure and followers, getting people to listen to full songs on Spotify remains difficult. The article highlights the complexity of musicians earning money from streaming services and suggests that authenticity is key for artists trying to grow their audiences.
Key Facts
Artists can gain thousands of likes and shares on social media but struggle to get listeners on Spotify.
Megan Wyn has 12,600 social media followers but only 540 monthly Spotify listeners.
Dylan Carmichael has 57,000 social media followers and uses TikTok to build a loyal fan base for his concerts.
Spotify has 713 million active users worldwide and offers a large potential audience for artists.
Artists don't get paid per stream on Spotify; payments vary depending on streaming methods and agreements.
Megan Wyn estimates her earnings at roughly £0.003 per stream on Spotify.
Videos showing behind-the-scenes content perform well on social media and help increase Spotify followers.
Megan Wyn advises artists to focus on authenticity rather than chasing viral success.
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Apple users have reported issues with the Photos app on iPhones, where newly downloaded images can be hard to find because they are sorted by the original date they were taken. This issue gained attention after a TikTok video went viral, but Apple provides a solution where users can change the sort order to display images by the date they were added.
Key Facts
Apple users find it difficult to locate newly downloaded photos on their devices.
The problem occurs because the Photos app sorts images by the date they were originally taken.
A viral TikTok video highlighted this issue, receiving over 910,000 views.
Apple suggests a solution in the iPhone user guide.
Users can adjust settings to sort images by date added rather than date taken.
This change can be made directly in the Photos app menu.
New iOS versions offer more sorting and filtering options to help users find images.
Many users discussed this issue and potential solutions on TikTok.
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Mark Sonnenblick, who co-wrote the hit song "Golden," revealed that a sequel to the popular Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters" is in development. Sonnenblick has experienced notable success in 2026, winning major awards and working on a new musical opening in London.
Key Facts
Mark Sonnenblick is working on a sequel to Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters."
The original film was Netflix's most-watched movie.
Sonnenblick co-wrote "Golden," part of the film's music, which won a Grammy.
He experienced a successful year in 2026, winning a Golden Globe and a Grammy and being nominated for an Oscar.
Sonnenblick is also involved in a musical titled "Midnight at the Never Get" in London.
The musical stars Ben Platt and is set to open in July at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.
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Android users will soon find it easier to share files with Apple devices, as Google expands its Quick Share feature. This update will allow Android phones to send files directly to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, similar to Apple's AirDrop.
Key Facts
Google is expanding its Quick Share feature to more Android devices beyond Pixel phones in 2026.
Quick Share will enable file transfers from Android to Apple devices, similar to Apple's AirDrop.
Previously, Android users had to use third-party apps or cloud links to share files with Apple devices.
The update could make switching from Apple to Android phones easier for users.
Google plans to release Quick Share as a standalone app on the Play Store, making it widely available.
Qualcomm suggests that Snapdragon-powered Android phones will support this feature.
File sharing with Quick Share doesn't need extra apps or cables, just nearby Apple devices set to receive files.
Google has not yet released a specific timeline or list of devices that will support this feature.
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Elon Musk announced that SpaceX plans to build a city on the Moon within ten years. He explained that lunar travel can happen more frequently and quickly than travel to Mars. The project aligns with NASA's goals to return humans to the Moon.
Key Facts
Elon Musk says SpaceX is prioritizing a city on the Moon over Mars.
Building a city on the Moon could take less than ten years.
Mars launch windows occur every 26 months due to planetary alignment, with a six-month journey.
The Moon can be reached every 10 days with a two-day trip.
SpaceX still plans to start work on a Mars city in five to seven years.
SpaceX's Starship will be used as the crew lunar lander for NASA's Artemis mission.
NASA is planning a lunar mission, Artemis II, as soon as March.
Musk believes a Moon city supports the future of civilization.
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A Twitch streamer named Emiru faced criticism after a clip from her stream was shared widely. People thought the clip showed her avoiding a question about the immigration agency ICE. Emiru later said the clip was edited to be misleading and explained that she usually doesn’t discuss politics on her streams.
Key Facts
Emiru is a popular Twitch streamer with 2 million followers.
A clip from her livestream went viral, leading to backlash.
The clip made it seem like she was avoiding a question about ICE.
Some people speculated about her political views due to the clip.
Emiru stated the clip was edited misleadingly.
She usually avoids talking about politics on her streams.
Emiru clarified her personal stance, saying no one should fear being separated from family by ICE or any other agency.
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A new electric air-taxi service is being planned for New York City, designed to quickly transport passengers to airports like JFK in just seven minutes. The service, led by Vertical Aerospace, aims to reduce travel time using environmentally friendly aircraft. The company plans to have the air taxis ready for use by 2028.
Key Facts
Vertical Aerospace is developing an electric aircraft named Valo.
The aircraft can transport people to JFK and other airports in seven minutes.
The plan is in partnership with Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure.
Valo is expected to get all necessary approvals by 2028.
The aircraft is designed to be quiet, zero-emission, and affordable compared to helicopters.
Valo was showcased in New York City after its global unveiling in London.
The company aims to make urban commuting faster and more environmentally friendly.
The aircraft can fly up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph.
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Some tech firms are adopting a demanding work culture where employees work long hours, often around 72 hours a week. This approach, known as the "996 culture," is seen as necessary to keep up with the fast-paced development of artificial intelligence (AI). Rilla, an AI-focused company in New York, is an example of a business embracing this work style to ensure rapid progress.
Key Facts
A New York-based tech company called Rilla encourages employees to work about 70 hours a week.
The company promotes a fast-paced work environment similar to China's "996 culture," where people work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.
This culture is popular in tech due to the rapid development and competition in artificial intelligence.
Rilla seeks employees with high ambition and likens them to "Olympian athletes."
The 996 work style started in China about ten years ago and was promoted by tech leaders like Jack Ma from Alibaba.
The 996 culture led to criticism in China for ignoring labor laws, which resulted in tighter regulations.
Despite criticisms, some companies believe the long hours are a "blessing" for achieving success quickly in competitive tech markets.
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NASA shared infrared images of an interstellar comet called 3I/ATLAS as it left our solar system. The images were captured by NASA's SPHEREx telescope and showed the comet brightening as it vented gases like water and carbon dioxide. 3I/ATLAS is only the third object from outside our solar system to pass through it.
Key Facts
NASA released new images of comet 3I/ATLAS taken by the SPHEREx telescope in December 2025.
3I/ATLAS is the third known object from outside our solar system to pass through it.
The comet was first observed on July 1, 2025, in Chile, traveling at about 137,000 miles per hour.
At its closest approach to the sun, the comet's speed increased to 153,000 miles per hour.
Infrared images show the comet releasing organic molecules like methanol and methane.
The comet became bright as it vented water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
The SPHEREx telescope, launched in March 2025, aims to map over 450 million galaxies and stars.
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The BookTok community on TikTok appears to help young people reduce their screen time by encouraging them to read more books. Users of this platform share book reviews and recommendations, which has led some people to replace phone use with reading.
Key Facts
BookTok is a community on TikTok where people talk about books and share recommendations.
Amy Laird started reading more after realizing she spent seven hours daily on her phone.
People aged 18 to 24 spend about six hours and 20 minutes online each day on average.
A report says only about 30% of young Scots enjoy reading in their spare time.
Some BookTok videos have received over eight million interactions.
This trend has made some older books popular again.
BookTok has helped students like Amy and Isabella read regularly and reduce screen time.
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A TikTok user posted a video revealing that their account had automatically blocked musician Bad Bunny, even though they had not visited his profile. This prompted others to check their accounts, with some reporting similar unexpected blocks. TikTok has not addressed these claims publicly.
Key Facts
A TikTok user, @kators88, claimed Bad Bunny was blocked on their account without their action.
The video led others to inspect their accounts, with several finding unexplained blocks.
Discussions about these unexpected blocks are ongoing in TikTok comment sections.
Another TikTok user, @enjcassel, noticed the same issue with Bad Bunny's account.
TikTok has not commented on whether automatic blocks can occur on their platform.
TikTok is under scrutiny in the U.S., with its parent company ByteDance making changes to avoid a ban.
President Trump has supported a TikTok restructuring deal to ensure U.S. control.
Bad Bunny is gaining extra attention due to his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
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