Google ‘disappointed’ as Youtube swept into UK social media ban June 29, 2026 Google has said it is “disappointing” that Youtube has been included in the government’s planned ban on social media for under-16s, warning the measures risk cutting children off from one of the internet’s biggest educational resources. The rebuke forms the firm’s strongest response yet to Keir Starmer’s plans to prohibit children under 16 from using [...]
Yoti boss warns social media ban needs tougher age-check standards June 29, 2026 The chief executive of digital identity giant Yoti has urged ministers to introduce minimum standards for age verification, warning the government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s risks falling short without clearer rules on how platforms check users’ ages. The intervention comes after Keir Starmer announced plans to block children under 16 from accessing major [...]
UK firms ‘bracing for change’ as Trump revives tariff threat over Big Tech tax June 29, 2026 Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on countries with digital services taxes has renewed concerns among British exporters, with business groups warning that a trade dispute over Big Tech could end up costing manufacturers billions. The US president said on Friday that any country imposing a digital services tax on American [...]
Apple eyes blacklisted Chinese supplier to ease chip shortage June 27, 2026 Apple has reportedly lobbied the Trump administration for permission to buy memory chips from a Chinese manufacturer blacklisted by the Pentagon, as the AI boom continues to squeeze global semiconductor supplies. The iPhone maker has approached US officials seeking reassurance over sourcing memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), according to the Financial Times, after [...]
Government is set to deal major blow to Big Tech’s moves into sports rights June 23, 2026 The government is set to deal a major blow to Big Tech’s moves into sports rights after launching a consultation on the future of broadcasting. A green paper – an exploratory consultation – was announced by the minister for creative industries, media and arts, Ian Murray, on Tuesday, proposing to prevent streaming platforms such as [...]
Government to take on big tech in bid to boost British news June 20, 2026 The government is preparing to force social media platforms to boost the presence of British news providers to counter misinformation, in a move likely to ruffle the feathers of big tech firms. Ministers are preparing to consult on rules which would require platforms like YouTube and Meta to make UK news sites like the BBC, [...]
Trump to reject UK plea over Anthropic ban as AI ‘kill switch’ fears grow June 16, 2026 The White House is poised to reject Keir Starmer’s attempt to restore British access to Anthropic’s most advanced AI models, in a move that has exposed how dependent the UK has become on a handful of American Big Techs. Downing Street has spent recent days lobbying Washington for an exemption after the Trump administration blocked [...]
‘Safe’ version of Anthropic’s Mythos model hits market June 10, 2026 Anthropic officially released Claude Fable 5 on Wednesday, allowing the public to access the core architecture of its notorious ‘Mythos’ model for the first time – a technology previously deemed to dangerous for distribution. Fable 5 is being rolled out via Anthropic’s interace, but the launch comes with strict limitations. The San Francisco-based AI titan [...]
GSK says AI is reshaping drug pipeline as Nuvalent deal hits shares June 9, 2026 GSK has said agentic AI is already affecting every asset in its pipeline, as pharmaceutical firms race to use the technology to cut the cost and risk of developing new medicines. Speaking at London Tech Week in Tuesday, Eyal Itskovits, GSK’s director of AI and machine learning, said that the technology has officially become a [...]
Liz Kendall hails ‘Brit-maxxing’ as Labour bets £1.1bn on AI chip race June 9, 2026 Britain must stop listening to the “doubters, doom-mongers and naysayers” and double down on its strengths in AI, Liz Kendall said as she unveiled a £1.1bn package aimed to turn the UK into a global AI hardware powerhouse. Addressing London Tech Week attendees on Tuesday, the tech secretary embraced the conference’s now-familiar “London maxxing” mantra, [...]