Discord will soon require 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 has over 200 million monthly users, is implementing the new safety measures to protect users by placing everyone into a teen-appropriate experience "by default," as stated by the company. The rollout of age checks worldwide is scheduled to begin in early March.
The move follows existing age verification practices in the UK and Australia, where Discord already complies with online safety laws, according to BBC Technology. The company stated that its safety work is particularly important when it comes to teen users.
In other technology news, Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator, as reported by BBC Business. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that the tech giants have committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale. This agreement comes seven months after the regulator said Apple and Google had an "effective duopoly" in the UK. The CMA's head, Sarah Cardell, said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy."
Meanwhile, the world's largest social media companies are facing scrutiny as a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube, according to BBC Business. Lawyers for the plaintiff, identified as "K.G.M.," argued that she suffered from mental health issues as a result of her social media addiction. Mark Lanier, the plaintiff's lawyer, stated that these companies "built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose."
In other news, a study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice that could present risks to users, according to BBC Technology. Researchers gave 1,300 people a scenario to test the AI chatbots. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, said it could be "dangerous" for people to ask chatbots about their symptoms.
Finally, Ukraine is gathering support from European governments to oppose FIFA's moves to end Russia's ban from international football, as reported by Sky News. Ukrainian sports minister Matvii Bidnyi told Sky News that allowing Russia back into World Cups would legitimize the war. While the ban is a symbol of Russia's isolation, FIFA believes it "has not achieved anything."
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