Tech giants are facing increased scrutiny as a landmark trial in California accuses Instagram and YouTube of designing "addiction machines" that allegedly caused mental health issues in a minor, according to multiple news sources. The trial, which features evidence including internal documents and emails, highlights concerns over the platforms' potential impact on young users and their monetization strategies. Simultaneously, other tech developments include Apple Watch features for children, Microsoft updating Secure Boot certificates, and Google testing changes to YouTube Music.
The California trial, as reported by the BBC Technology, centers on claims that Instagram and YouTube intentionally designed their products to be addictive. The plaintiff's lawyer argued that the platforms' design choices led to mental health problems in a minor. Evidence presented includes internal documents and emails, such as one where Mark Zuckerberg allegedly demanded increased time spent on Meta platforms. YouTube is also accused of targeting young users to increase advertising revenue.
In other tech news, Apple's Apple Watch is being utilized by parents to stay connected with their children. According to Wired, one parent found the device invaluable when their child was separated from them at a playground. The parent, who had been unable to locate their child, was able to use the Apple Watch to quickly reconnect with them.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates on Windows devices to prevent expiration and maintain system security, ensuring continued updates and compatibility, as reported by Hacker News. Google, on the other hand, is testing a change on YouTube Music that limits free users' access to song lyrics, requiring a premium subscription after a few views, though the majority of users are still unaffected by this experimental feature, according to the same source.
In the realm of AI, MIT Technology Review reported on the Moltbook platform, an online hangout populated by AI agents. The platform, which allowed AI systems to interact with each other, was described by some as a glimpse into the future of helpful AI. However, the experiment was also compared to Pokémon, highlighting the potential for less-than-serious applications.
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