A jury in Los Angeles found ‌Google and Meta liable for social media addiction in a landmark social media lawsuit.The jury found that Instagram, which is owned by Meta, and YouTube, which is owned by Google, were responsible for harm caused to children using their services - awarding the plaintiff $3 million in damages. After more than 40 hours of deliberation across nine days, California jurors decided Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design or operation of their platforms.The jury also decided each ...

Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, has been ordered to pay $375m (£280m) in damages after it was found to have knowingly harmed children's mental health. In what was described by campaigners as a "watershed moment", a court in New Mexico, USA, has found the company had concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms. The verdict marks the first time a jury has ruled on such claims against Meta, as the tech giant faces a wave of lawsuits over how its pla ...

Core Insights - Apple is urging users to update their iPhones due to the discovery of a new spyware called Darksword, which can compromise older iOS versions and potentially affect hundreds of millions of users [1][2] Group 1: Vulnerability and Impact - Darksword targets iPhones running older iOS versions released between March and August 2025, with an estimated 220 to 270 million devices still operating on these versions [2] - The spyware has been linked to targeted attacks on specific groups, including Ukrainians, Chinese cryptocurrency users, and individuals in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Malaysia [2][3] Group 2: Malware Characteristics - Darksword is described as "highly sophisticated" malware, indicating a professional design and capability to steal sensitive data such as emails, usernames, passwords, photos, and cryptocurrency wallets [3][4] - The emergence of Darksword alongside another spyware tool, Coruna, suggests a growing market for mobile malware, with both tools linked to Russian intelligence and Chinese cybercriminals [3] Group 3: Security Measures - Apple emphasizes the importance of keeping software updated as the primary defense against such threats, with a spokesperson highlighting that the malware only affects older operating systems [4] - In response to the threat, Apple released a special update for older devices that cannot upgrade to the latest iOS 26, specifically designed to block the hacking tools [7]

The US central bank has raised its forecast for inflation as the Iran war-linked surge in global energy prices threatens self-inflicted damage on the world's largest economy.The Federal Reserve held off putting up interest rates despite the challenge to price stability posed by President Trump's decision, along with Israel, to attack the Iranian government. Retaliation from Iran, centred on Gulf neighbours, has severely curbed oil and gas output across the region, with the halt to deliveries through the key ...

Core Insights - Warner Brothers is poised for significant success at the Oscars with 30 nominations, including a record-breaking 16 for the film Sinners, amidst uncertainty due to a potential takeover [1][2] Group 1: Takeover Implications - The proposed $110 billion deal between Paramount and Skydance could reshape Hollywood's structure and power dynamics [2][3] - Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the merger on job security and the number of films released in theaters, with potential layoffs and consolidation of studio lots [6][9] Group 2: Industry Reactions - The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has warned that the takeover poses a direct threat to nearly 15,000 film and television workers, calling for safeguards to protect jobs and increase domestic production [9][12] - Industry experts express uncertainty about the future autonomy of Warner Brothers' film executives post-takeover, despite the studio's current success at the Oscars [4][14]

Core Viewpoint - Tech companies are urged to enhance online protections for children after a proposed blanket ban on social media for under-16s was rejected by MPs, highlighting the need for stronger age verification and safety measures [1][2][5]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and Ofcom have demanded that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube provide details on their age verification processes and measures against online grooming by the end of April [1][2]. - Ofcom has called for an end to product testing on children and requires platforms to address harmful algorithms and user update rollouts [2][5]. - ICO has expressed concerns over the enforcement of minimum age policies, noting that 72% of children aged 8 to 12 are accessing age-restricted sites and apps [3]. Group 2: Industry Response - Tech companies, including YouTube and Meta (Facebook and Instagram), claim to have implemented various safety measures, such as AI for age detection and Teen Accounts with built-in protections [9][10]. - Roblox has stated it is in regular communication with Ofcom and has introduced over 140 safety features in the past year, including mandatory age checks for chat access [10][11]. - The Molly Rose Foundation has supported the regulatory push, emphasizing the need for accountability from tech firms regarding children's safety online [8]. Group 3: Future Implications - Ofcom plans to publicly report on the platforms' responses in May and will assess the impact of the Online Safety Act on children's online experiences [5]. - The regulator has indicated readiness to take enforcement action if the responses from tech firms are unsatisfactory, potentially leading to strengthened regulations [6].

Core Viewpoint - Anthropic is suing the Trump administration over its designation as a "supply chain risk" by the Pentagon, claiming the decision is unprecedented and unlawful [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Actions - Anthropic has filed two lawsuits in California federal court and the federal appeals court in Washington DC, challenging different aspects of the Pentagon's actions [2]. - The lawsuit argues that the government cannot punish a company for its protected speech and that no federal statute authorizes the Pentagon's actions [3]. Group 2: Company Position and Technology Use - Anthropic, backed by Alphabet's Google and Amazon, insists on restricting its technology from being used for mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons [4]. - The company has been valued at $380 billion and projects $14 billion in revenue for the year, primarily from businesses and government agencies using Claude for tasks like computer coding [7][8]. Group 3: Government Actions and Implications - The Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk could cut off its defense work, utilizing powers meant to prevent foreign adversaries from compromising national security [5]. - This is the first known instance of the federal government using such a designation against a US company [6].

Core Viewpoint - The conflict in Iran is creating significant disruptions in energy markets, but it is also presenting opportunities for certain American energy companies, particularly US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, who are positioned to benefit from the situation [1][2]. Group 1: Market Impact - The conflict has led to a substantial gap in the LNG market, particularly due to the closure of Qatar's Ras Laffan gas plant, which typically produces 20% of the world's LNG [4]. - US LNG exporters are now the largest in the world, largely due to the shale gas revolution, and they have a significant portion (10% to 15%) of their supply available for spot market sales, allowing them to capitalize on soaring prices [5][4]. - Prices for LNG have surged by 50% in European and Asian markets within the first week of the conflict, indicating a strong demand for US LNG [5]. Group 2: Financial Gains - The US LNG industry is projected to achieve $4 billion in windfall profits in the first month of the conflict, as they are seen as the go-to source for additional supply [7]. - Companies like Venture Global, which sell substantial amounts of gas outside traditional contracts, have seen their share prices increase by 28% in the first week of fighting [9]. - Cheniere Energy, another player in the spot market, experienced an 8% increase in share price, although it is nearly sold out for 2026 [10]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The flexibility of US LNG exporters allows them to sell at high prices now, but it also exposes them to risks if prices fall in the future [12]. - Other countries with unobstructed shipping routes, such as Australia, Canada, and Peru, are also positioned to benefit in the long term as they can supply LNG without facing the same disruptions [13]. Group 4: Challenges - Despite the opportunities, some US LNG companies have faced disruptions in their own supplies, and rising petrol prices in the US are causing concern among consumers [16]. - The US government is considering measures to support LNG transport, including insurance coverage and navy escorts for tankers in the Gulf [16].

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is positioned to win the takeover battle for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) after Netflix withdrew its bid, which was initially valued at $27.75 per share, totaling nearly $83 billion including debt [1][2]. Group 1: Bidding Process - Netflix was invited to increase its bid after Paramount's final offer of $31 per share for the entire WBD business, valuing it at $111 billion including debt [2]. - Warner's board indicated that while it still recommended Netflix's offer, it now viewed Paramount's proposal as "superior," marking a shift in support [3]. - Following this, Netflix announced its withdrawal from the bidding process, stating the deal was "no longer financially attractive" [4]. Group 2: Implications of the Takeover - CEO David Zaslav expressed that Paramount's offer "will create tremendous value," highlighting excitement about the potential merger of Paramount Skydance and WBD [5]. - If the takeover is successful, Paramount would gain control over significant news channels, including CNN and CBS News, raising concerns about media concentration linked to political influences [7]. - A merger would combine two of Hollywood's five legacy studios, enhancing Paramount's content library with popular franchises like Harry Potter, Superman, and Barbie, alongside its existing titles such as Top Gun and The Godfather [8].

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has made a revised offer of $31 per share for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), increasing pressure on WBD to consider the bid, which has been previously rejected [1][2] Group 1: Bid Details - The new offer from Paramount Skydance is an improvement from its initial bid of $30 per share, including additional fees [1] - Netflix has also increased its offer to $27.75 per share, but it is focused on acquiring only a part of WBD, specifically its production and streaming components [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - WBD has indicated that Paramount Skydance's increased offer could lead to a superior proposal, suggesting a competitive bidding environment [2] - The competition between Paramount Skydance and Netflix highlights differing acquisition strategies, with Paramount aiming for full control of WBD [3] Group 3: Strategic Implications - A merger involving WBD and either Paramount Skydance or Netflix would represent one of the largest media deals in history, potentially reshaping the landscape of TV and film production [7] - Concerns have been raised about the concentration of news services if Paramount Skydance successfully acquires WBD, which includes major brands like CNN and CBS News [10]