Ofcom launches probe into Telegram over child safety failures Tech The UK’s communications regulator has launched a probe into Telegram after evidence emerged that child sexual abuse material was being shared on the platform. Ofcom announced on Tuesday that it has also opened investigations into teen chat sites Teen Chat and Chat Avenue, assessing whether the platforms are meeting their legal duties to protect children [...]
BBC to cut 2,000 jobs ahead of Matt Brittin takeover Media The BBC is set to cut up to 2,000 jobs in its largest round of redundancies in 15 years, as the broadcaster accelerates cost-cutting plans ahead of a leadership change next month. Staff were briefed on the proposals at a company-wide meeting on Wednesday, with the cuts expected to affect roughly 10 per cent of [...]
Apple’s new ID checks dubbed as ‘ransomware’ as UK rollout begins Tech Apple is rolling out mandatory age verification checks for iPhone and iPad users in the UK, prompting criticism from privacy campaigners who have likened the move to ‘ransomware’. The changes introduced by the latest iOS update will require users to confirm they are over 18 to access certain apps and services. Those who do not [...]
‘Here’s a picture of a hamster’ – 4Chan ridicules Ofcom after UK regulator issues £500K fine March 19, 2026 US-based forum 4Chan has ridiculed Ofcom after the UK regulator hit them with a £520,000 fine for breaching the UK’s Online Safety Act, in a case that underlines the growing challenge of enforcing digital rules on overseas platforms as well as the increasingly combative response from parts of the tech ecosystem. The bulk of the [...]
Pressure shifts back to Big Tech as Ofcom delays social media ban March 12, 2026 Tech firms have been warned to strengthen protections for young people online after MPs rejected a proposal to ban under-16s from social media this week. Communications regulator Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have written to major platforms, asking for details of how they plan to improve safety measures for children. Companies like Facebook, [...]
GB News loss widens despite revenue jump March 3, 2026 GB News has posted another loss-making year despite sharp growth in viewing figures, with the Paul Marshall-owned broadcaster now burning through some £120m since its launch in 2021. In new accounts filed for the year ending in May 2025, GB News said its loss amounted to just over £22m. That was smaller than in 2024, [...]
Royal Mail owner to be grilled by MPs over delivery performance March 1, 2026 The Czech Billionaire who took over the parent company of the postal service last year is expected to face questions about the company’s failure to meet performance targets. The Business and Trade Committee has called on Royal Mail owner Daniel Kretinsky to present evidence to MPs in response to “significant concerns” raised around the service’s [...]
Starmer closes chatbot loophole in Online Safety Act February 16, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer is set to target AI chatbots with the UK’s Online Safety Act, warning tech titans that “no platform gets a free pass” following a deepfake scandal involving Elon Musk’s Grok. In a speech on Monday, the Prime Minister is expected to confirm plans to amend the Crime and Policing Bill, so that [...]
Landowners hit as government pushes through 5G rent cuts February 9, 2026 Mobile network operators are set to cut rents on around 15,000 existing phone masts from April, City AM understands, dragging decades-old agreements into a new regime that has already allowed payments to landowners to be cut by up to 90 per cent. The move will bring legacy mast contracts, many signed with farmers, schools, hospitals [...]
ICO opens probe into Elon Musk’s Grok AI over sexualised content February 3, 2026 The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has opened investigations in relation to the Grok AI system and its potential to produce harmful sexualised image and video content. The probe into the tech tool owned by Elon Musk’s Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) and X.AI comes after the chatbot made headlines last month over the generation of explicit, [...]