Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in an AI coding platform and regulatory actions against online platforms dominated recent news, while Tesco announced plans to expand its Clubcard program to under-18s. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak also addressed criticism regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
A BBC reporter's laptop was successfully hacked through the "vibe-coding" platform Orchids, highlighting a significant cybersecurity risk, according to BBC Technology. The platform, designed for users without technical skills to build apps and games, allowed the hacker to upload a wallpaper to the reporter's computer. Experts have expressed concern over the potential risks of allowing AI bots deep access to computers.
Meanwhile, the UK's media regulator, Ofcom, fined the pornographic website Kick Online Entertainment SA £800,000 for failing to implement proper age verification measures, as reported by BBC Technology. The company did not have "highly effective" methods to verify that UK visitors were over 18 between July and December 2025, according to Ofcom. Message board 4chan will also be fined £520,000 for non-compliance with the UK's Online Safety Law, though its lawyer stated the company would not pay. Suzanne Cater, director of enforcement at Ofcom, emphasized that age verification was "non-negotiable" for adult sites.
In other news, Tesco announced plans to extend its Clubcard program to under-18s this year, as reported by BBC Business. The supermarket's loyalty scheme offers discounts and points that can be converted into vouchers. Tesco did not elaborate on the reasons for the expansion or how it would be implemented. This decision follows campaigning from Which? urging supermarkets to broaden access to loyalty programs. The UK's competition regulator has stated that while current eligibility requirements are unlikely to breach consumer law, some supermarkets could do more to increase access.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, musician and investor Aloe Blacc discussed his investments in technology at the Web Summit in Doha, Qatar.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak addressed criticism regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. According to Al Jazeera, Barak expressed regret for maintaining a relationship with the convicted sex offender after his 2008 conviction.
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