Discord will soon require users worldwide to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, while lawsuits against social media companies regarding their impact on children are beginning this week in the US, according to multiple reports. These developments come amid growing concerns about online safety and the effects of technology on vulnerable populations.
The online chat service Discord, which boasts over 200 million monthly users, will roll out the age verification measures globally from early March, according to BBC Technology. The new safety measures are designed to place everyone into a teen-appropriate experience "by default." Discord already implements age checks in the UK and Australia to comply with online safety laws.
Meanwhile, in the US, landmark cases against social media companies are underway. Two lawsuits accusing the world's largest social media companies of harming children began this week, marking the first legal efforts to hold companies like Meta responsible for the effects their products have on young users, as reported by Al Jazeera. Opening arguments began in a case brought by New Mexico's attorney general's office, alleging that Meta failed to protect children from sexually explicit material. These cases are part of a wave of 40 lawsuits brought against Meta, alleging the social media giant prioritized profits over children's safety.
In other technology-related news, a study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, potentially posing risks to users. Researchers gave 1,300 people a scenario, such as having symptoms, and found that the advice given was a mix of good and bad responses, making it hard to identify what advice they should trust, according to BBC Technology. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, said it could be "dangerous" for people to ask chatbots about their symptoms.
The tech industry is also facing scrutiny regarding work practices. Some tech firms are embracing 72-hour work weeks, as reported by BBC Business. One New York-based tech business, Rilla, which sells AI-based systems, includes a warning in its job ads: "Please don't join if you're not excited about working 70 hrs/week in person with some of the most ambitious people in NYC."
Finally, the issue of food fraud persists, even with improving technology. Food crime, which includes diluting or substituting ingredients, costs the global economy around $81 billion (110 billion) a year, according to a 2025 estimate cited by BBC Technology. Honey is a common target for fraudsters, with plant-based syrup often used as a cheaper substitute.
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