Today's tech digest covers former President Trump forming a tech policy advisory panel and Meta's recent job cuts amidst its AI investment drive. Additionally, Apple is implementing new age verification requirements for users in the UK, while Reddit plans human verification for suspect accounts. The UK government is also trialing social media restrictions for teenagers, and the FCC has banned the sale of new foreign-made routers.
Trump Taps Tech Billionaires for Policy Advisory Panel
According to the Financial Times, former President Trump is establishing a policy advisory panel. This panel is set to include prominent tech billionaires. Further details regarding the specific individuals appointed to the panel or its precise mandate have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Meta Cuts Hundreds of Jobs Amid AI Investment Drive
Bloomberg Technology reports that Meta is undergoing a process of cutting hundreds of jobs across its workforce. These layoffs are reportedly taking place concurrently with the company's significant investment drive into artificial intelligence technologies. The specific departments or regions affected by these job reductions were not detailed in the available information.
Apple Implements Age Verification for UK Users
Apple is implementing age verification requirements for its users within the United Kingdom, according to a report from Bloomberg Technology. This new measure is designed to ensure compliance with specific regulations applicable to the region. The report did not provide extensive details on how this verification process will operate or which particular Apple services will be impacted.
Reddit to Require Human Verification for Suspect Accounts
Reddit is introducing new measures aimed at combating bot activity on its platform, specifically requiring accounts exhibiting suspicious or automated behavior to complete human verification. The Verge reports that Reddit CEO Steve Huffman stated these verification prompts would be rare and apply to a minority of users. The company is exploring several methods for verification, including passkey checks and fingerprint scanning, as well as potential reliance on third-party identification services. This initiative targets the integrity of user interactions by reducing platform manipulation.
UK Government Trials Social Media Ban for Teenagers
The UK government is initiating a six-week pilot program to test social media restrictions on 300 teenagers, CNBC reports. The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is overseeing this trial as part of a broader digital wellbeing consultation. Interventions being tested include daily time caps of one hour and overnight curfews from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. The restrictions will apply to popular social media applications such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, aiming to evaluate their impact on young users.
FCC Bans Sale of New Foreign-Made Routers
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will no longer approve new models of consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the United States, effectively prohibiting their future import and sale. Ars Technica reports this action stems from a national security directive issued by former President Trump. Routers that have already received approval for sale are exempt from this new ban. Any new foreign-made models will now require a special security waiver from the Department of Defense or Homeland Security to be sold within the U.S. market.