TikTok is facing potential fines from the European Union for its "addictive design," while the pet bird industry is under scrutiny for alleged animal cruelty, and AI-related developments continue to unfold, according to multiple news reports. The EU's investigation into TikTok, which began in February 2024, centers on violations of online safety rules, particularly features like autoplay and personalized content, which could harm users, including children. Simultaneously, an investigation into the pet bird industry revealed inhumane conditions in large-scale breeding operations.
The EU's probe into TikTok could result in significant fines, potentially reaching up to 6% of its global annual turnover, if the platform fails to comply with the new regulations, according to BBC Technology. The EU has ordered TikTok to modify its design and implement changes such as screen time breaks and algorithm adjustments.
Meanwhile, an investigation by Vox revealed the hidden suffering behind the pet bird industry. An animal cruelty investigator toured several "bird mills," large-scale operations that breed parrots for the pet retail market, and found unhygienic and inhumane conditions, according to the report.
In the realm of technology, other developments are also making headlines. Roblox implemented mandatory facial verification for chat access following lawsuits regarding child safety, according to TechCrunch. As of January 31st, 45% of daily active users were undergoing age checks. This process, handled by a third-party vendor, categorizes users into age-based chat groups, allowing communication within adjacent age ranges, and reveals a younger user base than previously reported.
The world of Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve. The open-source AI agent OpenClaw is gaining traction for its autonomous task capabilities, while concerns arise regarding the quality of advertisements within Apple News, particularly those potentially AI-generated, according to Time. Securing American dominance in artificial intelligence is a key focus of the Trump administration's second term, prioritizing innovation, infrastructure development, and deregulation to achieve global AI leadership, according to NPR News and Time.
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