Social media giants are facing scrutiny in a California trial, while AI chatbots are flagged for risky medical advice, and the Co-op faces allegations of a toxic work environment. Additionally, a Disney advertisement was banned for its disturbing content, and Spotify saw subscriber growth despite artist criticism.
In a landmark trial in California, the world's largest social media companies are accused of creating "addiction machines" designed to ensnare children, according to a BBC Technology report. Mark Lanier, representing the plaintiff "K.G.M.," argued that her mental health issues stemmed from social media addiction. Lawyers for Meta and YouTube, however, maintain that the addiction resulted from other underlying issues.
Meanwhile, a study from the University of Oxford revealed that AI chatbots provide inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, posing potential risks to users. The research, as reported by BBC Technology, found that individuals using AI for healthcare advice received a mix of reliable and unreliable responses, making it difficult to discern trustworthy information. Dr. Rebecca Payne, the lead medical practitioner on the study, stated that it could be "dangerous" for people to rely on chatbots for symptom diagnosis. A Mental Health UK poll from November 2025 indicated that over one in three UK residents now use AI for mental health or wellbeing support.
In the business sector, senior managers at the Co-op have voiced concerns about a "toxic culture" at the executive level, as reported by BBC Business. A letter to Co-op board members, seen by the BBC, complained of "fear and alienation" among senior staff who felt intimidated to raise concerns. Sources also indicated that a culture discouraging dissent has led to poor decisions, declining morale, and a "sharp drop in profits."
Also in the business world, a "menacing" Disney advertisement featuring a severed body was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for potentially frightening children, according to BBC Business. The advert, for the Predator Badlands film, displayed an alien holding the severed body of a human figure. Disney argued that the body was that of a robot.
Despite criticisms from artists regarding fees, Spotify experienced an increase in subscribers. Paid subscribers jumped by 9 million in the last three months of 2025, reaching 290 million, as reported by BBC Business. This growth helped net profit rise to 1.17 billion. Although Spotify stated it paid almost 11 billion to artists, concerns persist about the platform's payment structure.
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