The European Union has ordered TikTok to overhaul its "addictive design" or face significant fines, while the US is spearheading a plan to counter China's dominance in the critical minerals market. These developments, along with criticism of a new coin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in Australia and a UK research fund facing budget cuts, highlight a busy news cycle.
The EU's decision, announced after an investigation that began in February 2024, found that TikTok had violated online safety rules. According to a BBC Technology report, the European Commission stated that the platform did not adequately assess how features like autoplay could harm users, including children, and failed to implement measures to mitigate these risks. A TikTok spokesperson responded, calling the findings a "categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform."
Meanwhile, the US State Department hosted the first Critical Minerals Ministerial event on Wednesday, aiming to establish a trade zone for critical minerals. This initiative seeks to reduce China's control over the industry, which is essential for manufacturing various products, from smartphones to weapons. The event was attended by representatives from the UK, the European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by BBC Technology.
In Australia, the Royal Australian Mint released commemorative coins to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth. However, the portrait on the 5 and 50 cent silver coins has drawn criticism for its lack of resemblance to the late monarch. One online commenter stated, "That's got to be the most unpleasant portrait on a coin," according to BBC World. The Mint defended the portrait, stating that their coin images do not always capture the full beauty of a subject.
In the UK, the £8 billion research fund managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is facing "hard decisions" due to government directives to prioritize and streamline funding. Ian Chapman, the head of UKRI, warned that these changes, expected to be fully implemented by the end of the year, will lead to "negative outcomes for some," as reported by BBC Technology.
In other technology news, the CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI was criticized for a lengthy online post attacking a rival chatbot firm over its Super Bowl advertisements. Commenters on social media likened the post to "the digital equivalent of a toddler throwing a tantrum," according to BBC Technology.
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