Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, fined the porn site Kick Online Entertainment SA £800,000 for failing to implement proper age verification measures, while a top US antitrust official resigned amid tensions with Trump officials. These developments, along with a rise in half-term holiday bookings and layoffs at a game developer, highlight a busy news cycle.
Kick Online Entertainment SA was penalized for not having "highly effective" methods to ensure UK visitors were over 18, according to Ofcom. The company was non-compliant between July and December 2025, although it has since introduced age checks. In related news, message board 4chan faces a £520,000 fine for not complying with the UK's Online Safety Law, though its lawyer stated the company will not pay. Suzanne Cater, director of enforcement at Ofcom, emphasized the non-negotiable nature of effective age verification for adult sites.
In the US, Abigail Slater, the antitrust chief appointed by President Donald Trump, resigned, sparking concern that the White House is softening its stance on anti-monopoly enforcement. Slater announced her departure on social media, stating, "It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role." This resignation is part of a series of leadership changes.
Meanwhile, the developer of the multiplayer shooter "Highguard," Wildlight Entertainment, laid off staff just two weeks after the game's release. The game, which was featured at The Game Awards, struggled to retain players after its January launch. The team behind "Highguard" included industry veterans who had worked on titles like "Call of Duty."
In other news, a group of travel agents reported a 9% increase in February half-term holiday bookings compared to last year, attributing the rise to the gloomy weather and the political environment, which created a "powerful psychological need for escape." Manchester Airport anticipates its busiest February half-term on record, with almost 50,000 passengers flying out on Friday. Travelers heading to Europe are warned of potential security delays due to the ongoing rollout of the European Entry Exit System.
Finally, Prince Harry thanked bereaved families for their legal challenge against two major tech companies, acknowledging their efforts in "telling your stories over and over again." The Duke of Sussex made these remarks during a trial in California examining whether Instagram and YouTube harm young people's mental health. The families allege the platforms are designed to be addictive.
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