Cybersecurity

India takes down battery apps after stalled e-rickshaw rides

Indian officials said on July 3 they had taken down two smartphone apps following reports that some e-rickshaws could be remotely shut down, exploiting a security gap in the budget vehicles.

AI

AI footage of politicians seen as 'more authentic' than real thing

Artificial intelligence (AI) impersonations of political debaters now come across as more "authentic, relevant and coherent" than the real thing, according to a new study.

Social media

India to summon Meta over child sexual abuse content

India's technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has asked his team to summon Meta Platforms Inc over sexual content involving children on Instagram, government officials familiar with the matter said on July 3.

Video games

French presidential hopeful: 'Retake control!' of... video games

France's hard-left presidential hopeful Jean-Luc Melenchon, who supports nationalising basic services, came out strongly on July 3 in favour of property rights... to video games.

Technology

For one small business, AI was key to a quick start and expansion

WASHINGTON, July 4 (Reuters) - Here Now Health isn't an AI-based company, but its quick path from ⁠an idea in founder Michelle Turner's mind to an operating mental health platform for foster children relied deeply on the technology now restructuring the U.S. economy.

Video games

Video games in Europe face new restrictions on age, ‘loot boxes’

The video-game industry is bracing for a wave of European regulations that could limit kids' access to some video games, potentially crimping sales across the globe.

Video games

‘Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations’ is a big reason to return to hell

Doom: The Dark Ages succeeded in bringing another dimension to the aggressive run-and-gun gameplay that id Software developed for the reboot. As the Doom Slayer who defended Argent D'nur, players controlled a being that brutalised demons with force and rage, using a shield and an arsenal of weapons.

Mobile apps

WhatsApp usernames are coming: How to reserve yours before its gone

WhatsApp is set to roll out the use of usernames over the coming months, allowing users to keep their mobile phone numbers hidden from others.

Video games

The 7 best video games of 2026 so far

Rockstar has started taking preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI, but the game is still months away from its Nov 19 launch. In the meantime, the ridiculously hyped title has warped the video game calendar.

Technology

India investigating Tata data leak that exposed Apple iPhone secrets

NEW DELHI, July 3 (Reuters) - ⁠India is investigating a data breach at Tata ⁠Electronics that exposed documents linked to Apple's unreleased ‌iPhone 18 Pro, the country's IT secretary said on Thursday in the government's first public comments on the incident.

Cybersecurity

Greek politician investigating spyware had mobile phone hacked

The mobile phone of a Greek politician was repeatedly hacked by spyware while he was working on a European Parliament investigation into sellers of the surveillance technology, new research has found.

Social media

Australian prime minister condemns delay of changes to child social media ban

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on July 3 condemned senators who blocked changes to a world-first social media ban for children, saying tech giants would use the delay to destroy incriminating documents that could be used as evidence against them.

AI

South Africa’s grocery war shifts from search to AI conversation

South Africa's online grocery battle is entering a new phase where the competition is no longer just about delivering groceries faster, but rather about making shopping itself almost disappear.

Technology

Alibaba to ban Claude Code in workplace over alleged backdoor risks, source says

BEIJING, ⁠July 3 (Reuters) - ⁠Alibaba will ban ‌employees from using Claude Code in ​workspace environments ⁠from July ⁠10 due to ⁠alleged security ‌risks ⁠involving embedded backdoors, a ​source ‌familiar with the ⁠matter ​said.

Internet

An explosion of AI slop is pushing people offline and back into the real world

The Internet used to be silly and original. Now it's just boring.

AI

AI race weakens climate pledges at Google, Amazon

Google and Amazon reported sharp increases in greenhouse gas emissions, driven by the frantic construction of artificial intelligence infrastructure that is pushing the tech giants further from their carbon neutrality pledges.

Video games

'A pure slap in the face': PlayStation announcement outrages gamers

Sony has announced it will stop releasing PlayStation games as discs from 2028 onwards, with new titles available only as digital downloads.

Internet

AI romance scam impersonating Dubai prince ensnares victims

Maria believed she was romancing a prince from Dubai, captivated by his flirtatious smile and declarations of affection he showered on her during live video calls. But the suitor was an artificial intelligence (AI) deepfake, making her yet another victim of an online romance scam.

Technology

India's HCLTech wins $1.14 billion deal with European firm

BENGALURU, July 3 (Reuters) - ⁠India's HCLTech has won a $1.14 billion ⁠deal with a major European firm, the ‌software services exporter said on Friday.

Internet

Parents: Digital literacy key to building resilient, responsible youth

Digital literacy should take precedence over blanket restrictions on technology use, as teenagers need the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex online environment safely and responsibly, parents said.