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Google sued over suicide-related AI chats on school computer
The parents of a 13-year-old girl have sued Google claiming she planned a potential suicide and funeral using its AI technology on a school-issued computer. Developers of fast-evolving AI technology are facing a litany of similar lawsuits in the US. OpenAI faces several wrongful death suits, including from the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, a teenager who committed suicide allegedly using methods advised by ChatGPT. Google and the startup Character.
Google turns off AI for schoolchildren by default
Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for schoolchildren by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms. The feature was switched on by default for students at schools that had already enabled Gemini.
Unknown numbers adding you to WhatsApp groups? Android and iOS users can change this setting to protect privacy
WhatsApp users can prevent unknown people from adding them to unwanted groups by changing their group privacy settings. Under Settings, go to Privacy and select Groups. Choose My contacts or My contacts except to restrict who can add you. The setting applies to new groups and syncs across WhatsApp Web and Desktop.
Unknown WhatsApp calls? Android and iOS users can now check these details before answering calls
WhatsApp has a feature offering details about unknown callers on Android and iOS, including whether they are saved contacts, share groups with you and the country their numbers are registered in. Users can also silence unknown calls through Privacy settings. Silenced calls remain visible in the Calls tab, but the phone will not ring.
Explained: Why Sebi wants mutual fund investors to switch to direct plans
Sebi has directed mutual fund houses to make direct plans the default option on digital platforms. This change will take effect from November 1, when investors will see direct plans pre-selected for investment. Direct plans have lower expense ratios compared to regular plans, benefiting long-term investors through compounded returns. These changes aim to reduce conflicts of interest associated with higher commission payments in regular plans.
Smart fridge, security camera, video doorbell, router, car, thermostat: Everyday devices hackers can exploit and how to protect them
Cyberattacks involving supermarket refrigerators and freezers have raised concerns about the security of everyday internet-connected devices. From smart appliances and security cameras to routers, thermostats and connected cars, several products could be vulnerable to hacking. Here is what cybercriminals could do after accessing these devices and the precautions users can take to protect themselves.
Upstox secures bond platform licence, to launch direct offerings soon
Upstox has been offering bonds through IndiaBonds, following a partnership announced in September 2025. The new licence will allow the company to offer the instruments directly instead of relying on a third-party bond platform.
Global cyber alert rings as two critical PHP flaws leave millions of web services exposed to remote takeover
Two significant vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language could allow hackers to execute code remotely. PHP has released updates to address these flaws, which affect millions of internet-facing services. Many installations remain unpatched, including those running outdated versions. Security experts warn that nearly all PHP installations face security risks from these vulnerabilities. Organizations are urged to implement immediate patches and isolate affected systems from public networks.
Real-time payments explained: How money moves between bank accounts in seconds
Real-time payments allow money to move between bank accounts within seconds, making transactions faster and more convenient for consumers and businesses. In India, systems such as UPI and IMPS enable instant transfers, while RTGS processes high-value payments in real time. Here is how these systems work, the technology that powers them, their benefits for businesses and customers, and the security challenges.
Are gilt funds a good bet amid rising interest rates?
As bond yields rise, gilt funds, which invest in government securities, are drawing significant attention from investors seeking low credit-risk options. While these investments benefit from government backing, they still carry inherent risks. The performance of gilt funds hinges on bond price changes prompted by interest rate shifts, sparking discussions among market participants about whether bond yields have peaked.
Phone stolen in metro crowd, Rs 57,000 lost within an hour; SIM card used to take money from bank accounts without unlocking the device
A phone worth Rs 60,000 was reportedly stolen in a metro crowd, followed by a loss of Rs 57,000 from a bank account within 45 minutes. A post on X describes how a stolen SIM could be misused for banking-related fraud. Here is how SIM PIN protection works and what users should do after losing a phone.
Woman’s pashmina shawl and pheran damaged by dry cleaner; consumer commission orders Rs 59,000 payout
A woman who paid Rs 5,970 to dry-clean 18 items, including a pashmina shawl and pheran, received the garments in a damaged condition, prompting her to approach the consumer commission. The Srinagar district consumer commission has now directed the dry cleaner to pay Rs 57,000, including Rs 47,000 for the damaged garments and Rs 10,000 as compensation, along with Rs 2,000 in litigation costs, taking the total payout to Rs 59,000.
SDKs emerge as key gateway to AI advertising as in-app ad market hits $400 billion
Independent advertising technology platforms are set to leverage SDKs to dominate the $400 billion in-app advertising market. Growth in this sector is characterized by a shift from traditional web-based advertising methods to SDK-driven strategies. Key companies like AppLovin and InMobi have established extensive SDK footprints, enhancing their competitive advantage. As AI products scale, the importance of advertising will increase to cover operational costs.
Google faces UK court over app store charges
A class action lawsuit against Google opens in London Tuesday, with the technology giant accused of earning excessive commissions from its app store, impacting 20 million UK consumers and businesses. Google meanwhile reached a £260-million settlement in a class action brought on behalf of thousands of UK developers, which was approved by the Competition Appeal Tribunal last month.
WhatsApp Restricted Chat rolls out to Beta users on Android and iOS
WhatsApp has started rolling out its new Restricted Chat feature to select beta users on Android and iOS, adding four restrictions designed to limit how messages and media can be accessed or handled within a conversation.
Hackers can target your wealth adviser’s WhatsApp: How to protect your money
Recent incidents highlight the increasing threat of compromised WhatsApp accounts among financial advisers in India. These attacks exploit trust, as fraudsters impersonate advisers through hacked accounts. Financial firms have implemented strict new security measures to mitigate future attacks and protect client information. Advisers urge their clients to adopt safer communication practices when handling sensitive financial information. Staying vigilant and verifying communications can prevent potential scams and financial losses.
Apple says it will flag AI requests for Mac data after Meta's Muse draws complaints
Apple announced plans to change its Mac OS to provide better security against AI agent access. This decision comes after complaints about Meta's Muse accessing private user data without consent. Users were concerned that some developers misuse the Full Disk Access feature to access sensitive information.
WhatsApp rolls out new parental controls for teenagers: Here's everything you need to know
WhatsApp has introduced enhanced parental controls to assist parents in monitoring their teenage children's app activity. These new features empower parents to adjust privacy settings and approve new group chats, which strengthens online safety. Despite these changes, messaging and calling remain encrypted, prioritizing teens' privacy. This initiative aims to alleviate concerns surrounding minors' safety online, though the implementation may vary regionally as it rolls out.
OpenAI launches Dots, claims AI agents can work while you sleep and complete tasks based on how you want them done
The new agents are designed to handle longer-running tasks instead of waiting for every instruction, with access to connected apps, a cloud computer and user preferences, according to OpenAI.
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