Discord will soon require users worldwide to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, while the EU has told Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp, and a new study highlights the risks of AI chatbots providing medical advice. These developments come as YouTubers are diversifying their revenue streams and details continue to emerge from the release of the Epstein files.
Discord announced it would begin requiring users globally to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, according to BBC Technology. The online chat service, which boasts over 200 million monthly users, is implementing these measures to protect users by placing everyone into a teen-appropriate experience "by default," according to the report. While age checks are already in place for some users in the UK and Australia, the global rollout is scheduled to begin in early March.
Meanwhile, the EU has instructed Meta to allow rival AI firms' chatbots on WhatsApp, claiming the tech giant breached its rules by blocking them, as reported by BBC Technology. The European Commission stated that WhatsApp is an "important entry point" for AI chatbots like ChatGPT to reach people, and accused Meta of abusing its dominant position. A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the EU had "no reason" to intervene, claiming the EU "incorrectly" assumed WhatsApp Business was a key way that people use chatbots.
In other technology news, a study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, potentially posing risks to users, according to BBC Technology. Researchers found that people using AI for healthcare advice received a mix of good and bad responses, making it difficult to identify trustworthy advice. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, said it could be "dangerous" for people to ask chatbots about their symptoms. A Mental Health UK poll from November 2025 found that over one in three UK residents now use AI to support their mental health or wellbeing.
In the realm of online content creation, YouTubers are diversifying their revenue streams, according to TechCrunch. The platform has become a major source of income for creators, contributing over $55 billion to the U.S. GDP and creating more than 490,000 full-time jobs, according to the report. However, many YouTubers are reducing their reliance on ad revenue and brand deals due to the unpredictable nature of these income sources.
Finally, details continue to emerge from the release of the Epstein files, with news organizations and citizen journalists working through the vast amount of material, according to Al Jazeera. The documents, released on January 30, expose the breadth of Jeffrey Epstein's social and financial circle, which included some of the world's most powerful people.
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