Cybersecurity vulnerabilities, regulatory fines, and evolving business practices dominated the headlines this week, with stories ranging from AI platform security flaws to age verification failures and shifts in retail loyalty programs. Additionally, a senior US official urged European allies to bolster their own defenses, and new details emerged about Jeffrey Epstein's activities.
A BBC reporter was able to hack into the "vibe-coding" platform Orchids, a tool designed for users without technical skills to build apps and games, highlighting a significant cybersecurity risk. According to a BBC Technology report, the reporter was able to hijack a laptop and upload a wallpaper, demonstrating the potential dangers of allowing AI bots deep access to computers.
Meanwhile, the UK's media regulator, Ofcom, issued fines to two companies for failing to comply with regulations. Porn company Kick Online Entertainment SA was fined £800,000 for not implementing proper age verification measures. Ofcom stated that the company did not have "highly effective" methods to ensure UK visitors were over 18. Message board 4chan faces a £520,000 fine for failing to comply with the UK's Online Safety Law, though its lawyer indicated the company would not pay. Suzanne Cater, director of enforcement at Ofcom, emphasized that it was "non-negotiable" for adult sites to have effective age verification.
In the retail sector, Tesco announced plans to make its Clubcard loyalty scheme available to under-18s this year. The supermarket did not specify the reasons for the change or provide details on how it would work. This move follows campaigning from Which?, which urged supermarkets to remove restrictions on loyalty scheme access.
On the international stage, Elbridge Colby, the US Under Secretary of War, told European allies that they must take the lead in defending themselves as the world becomes more militarized, though the US is not abandoning its NATO allies. Colby urged the alliance to prepare for potential enemies to strike simultaneously in different parts of the globe, according to Sky News.
Finally, emails released by the US Department of Justice revealed that Jeffrey Epstein asked staff to install hidden video cameras at his Florida home in 2014. An aide informed Epstein that the cameras would be concealed in tissue boxes. The emails were part of millions of documents released last month, according to Sky News.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment