Category: Technology

Taylor Swift deepfakes spark calls in Congress for new legislation Reuters US politicians have called for new laws to criminalise the creation of deepfake images, after explicit faked photos of Taylor Swift were viewed millions of times online. The images were posted on social media sites, including X and Telegram. US Representative Joe Morelle called… Continue reading Taylor Swift deepfakes spark calls in Congress for new legislation

Microsoft video games division lays off 1,900 staff Blizzard Almost 2,000 workers in Microsoft’s gaming division are to be laid off after its $69b (£54.3bn) merger deal. A memo from Xbox boss Phil Spencer sent to workers says the company plans to shed 1,900 of its 22,000 staff. It was sent three months after the… Continue reading Microsoft video games division lays off 1,900 staff

China appears to U-turn on strict gaming rules proposals Getty Images By Imran Rahman-Jones BBC News China has reportedly backtracked on introducing strict rules on video gaming after draft legislation was removed from the regulator’s website. The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) had proposed rules aimed at limiting the amount of money and time… Continue reading China appears to U-turn on strict gaming rules proposals

MrBeast reveals he made $250,000 from X video Getty Images By Imran Rahman-Jones & Natalie Sherman BBC News The world’s most popular YouTuber, MrBeast, has revealed he made more than $250,000 (£197,000) from posting a video on X, formerly known as Twitter. He had previously said it was not worth posting on the social media… Continue reading MrBeast reveals he made $250,000 from X video

Amazon takeover of iRobot to be blocked by EU Getty Images By Shiona McCallum Technology reporter Amazon’s takeover of vacuum cleaner maker iRobot is set to be blocked by the European Union’s competition watchdog, the BBC understands. It’s a blow to the tech giant, which was previously given the all-clear for the purchase by the… Continue reading Amazon takeover of iRobot to be blocked by EU

Unseen images of code breaking computer that helped win WW2 Crown Copyright By Shiona McCallum Technology reporter GCHQ has released never before seen images of Colossus, the UK’s secret code breaking computer credited with helping the Allies win World War Two. The intelligence agency is publishing them to mark the 80th anniversary of the device’s… Continue reading Unseen images of code breaking computer that helped win WW2

BT to ditch mid-contract inflation-linked price rises Getty Images By Tom Gerken Technology reporter BT is abandoning mid-contract price rises linked to inflation after the telecoms watchdog Ofcom threatened to ban the practice. It has been one of several providers to tell customers the cost of their mobile and broadband services would increase by inflation… Continue reading BT to ditch mid-contract inflation-linked price rises

Why is the world investing so much in semiconductors? Pragmatic Semiconductor By Hannah Mullane Business Reporter, BBC News I’m at the UK’s newest computer chip plant in Durham. Formerly a ceramic pipe factory, from the outside it looks like a big warehouse. But inside the vast space is being transformed into a sophisticated hub for… Continue reading Why is the world investing so much in semiconductors?

Bitcoin: Crypto fans can now invest in exchange-traded funds – but what are they? Getty Images By Joe Tidy Cyber correspondent The US has made the long-awaited decision to allow Bitcoin to be part of mainstream investing funds. It has approved what are known as spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which can be purchased by… Continue reading Bitcoin: Crypto fans can now invest in exchange-traded funds – but what are they?

Apple Vision Pro: $3,499 headset finally gets release date Getty Images By Tom Gerken & Zoe Kleinman BBC News Apple has announced its long-awaited Vision Pro headset will go on sale on 2 February in the United States. US customers have been given the option to pre-order the $3,499 (£2,749) mixed-reality device from mid-January, though… Continue reading Apple Vision Pro: $3,499 headset finally gets release date