Discord will soon require all users worldwide to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, the company announced. This move, along with landmark lawsuits against social media companies beginning this week in the US, highlights growing concerns about online safety and the impact of technology on users, particularly children.
The online chat service, 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," according to Discord. This follows existing age verification requirements in the UK and Australia, implemented to comply with online safety laws.
Simultaneously, legal battles are unfolding in the US, with lawsuits accusing major social media companies of harming children. Opening arguments began this week in a case brought by New Mexico's attorney general, alleging that Meta failed to protect children from sexually explicit material, as reported by Al Jazeera. These cases mark the first legal efforts to hold companies like Meta responsible for the effects their products have on young users.
The European Union has also taken action, ordering Meta to allow rival AI firms' chatbots access to WhatsApp. The EU claims Meta breached its rules by blocking other AI chatbots from the messaging app, which the European Commission considers an "important entry point" for AI chatbots like ChatGPT to reach people, according to BBC Technology. A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the EU had "no reason" to intervene.
These developments come amidst other concerns about the technology landscape. A recent study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, potentially posing risks to users. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, stated it could be "dangerous" for people to ask chatbots about their symptoms, as reported by BBC Technology.
The challenges extend beyond user safety and into areas like food security. Despite advancements in technology, food fraud persists, costing the global economy an estimated $81 billion annually. Fraudsters often target commonly consumed and high-value foods, such as honey, which is frequently faked with cheaper alternatives, according to BBC Technology.
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