Archive for January 2026

The House of Lords has voted to add a legal requirement to block under-16s from social media platforms, intensifying pressure on the government as it runs a parallel consultation on children’s online safety. Amendment Backed By 261 votes to 150, peers backed a cross-party amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would require…

OpenAI has started rolling out an age prediction system on ChatGPT consumer plans as it tries to better identify under-18 users and automatically apply stronger safety protections amid rising regulatory pressure and concern about AI’s impact on young people. Why OpenAI Is Introducing Age Prediction Now On 20 January 2026, OpenAI confirmed it had begun…

Blue Origin has announced TeraWave, a space-based communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 terabits per second worldwide, positioning the company as a serious new contender in high-capacity global connectivity for businesses and governments. Who Blue Origin Is and What It Does Blue Origin is the privately owned aerospace and…

The UK government has begun testing a digital version of the driving licence as part of wider plans to modernise how people prove their identity and access public services through their smartphones. Starts With Veteran Card The testing marks a significant step in the rollout of a new GOV.UK Wallet, which is designed to allow…

TikTok has formally completed a deal to split its US operations from its global business, establishing a new majority-American joint venture designed to address long-running national security concerns and prevent the platform from being banned in the United States. A Long-Running Political And Legal Battle The agreement, announced on 23 January, brings to an end…

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has become the focus of political, regulatory, and international scrutiny after users exploited it to generate non-consensual sexualised images, including material involving children, triggering urgent action from regulators and reopening a heated debate over online safety and free speech. What Triggered The Controversy? The row began in late December when…

In this week’s Tech Insight, we look at 15 notable gadgets from a CES focused on how artificial intelligence is being embedded into physical products for homes, health, and everyday use. CES 2026 The Consumer Electronics Show, held each January in Las Vegas, Nevada, has long been a place where experimental concepts sit alongside near…

WhatsApp has rolled out a set of new group chat features designed to reduce confusion in larger conversations and make coordination easier, as the platform continues to evolve beyond simple one-to-one messaging. What Has Been Introduced? In a blog post published on 7 January, WhatsApp confirmed the launch of three new group chat features entitled…

Spotify has introduced two new Messages features that let users see what friends are listening to in real time and invite them into shared listening sessions, signalling a deeper shift towards in-app social interaction. Wider Rollout By Early February The update, confirmed by Spotify on 7 January, adds Listening Activity and Request to Jam to…