Research reveals 100+ deepfake video ads impersonating Rishi Sunak on Facebook in the past month, potentially reaching 400,000 viewers. Costing £12,929 and originating from 23 countries, the fakes breach Facebook policies. One ad fabricates a scandal involving Elon Musk and a fake government decision, leading to a scam investment. Former Downing Street official Marcus Beard warns of heightened AI-generated falsehoods impacting elections, citing lax ad moderation. Meta, owner of Facebook, faces criticism. Government emphasizes readiness to combat threats with the Online Safety Act, as regulators push for electoral system updates before the expected November general election.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expresses worry about Muslim and Arab tech professionals, especially Palestinians, feeling hesitant to speak up due to fear of retaliation and damaged career prospects. Altman, also acknowledging rising antisemitism, emphasizes the need for empathy within the tech industry. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has heightened tensions, leading to increased discrimination and bias. Altman's observations shed light on the challenges faced by affected communities and underscore the importance of awareness and support in the tech sector and society at large.

A 16-year-old girl's avatar was allegedly gang-raped by male avatars in a metaverse game, causing psychological trauma although she was not physically harmed. The incident occurred as the British teenager was using a VR headset in an immersive metaverse platform. Police are investigating the virtual sexual assault. Authorities stressed the seriousness of such acts and their impact on victims. The case highlights concerns around user safety and the need for platforms to enhance protections, especially for younger users. It also underscores the importance of developing legal policies and support services to address virtual crimes.

Efforts to establish self-regulatory bodies for online gaming in India have stalled, prompting the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) to consider direct control over game approvals. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed a lack of progress in appointing such bodies, with only one application received and rejected. The proposed group of ministers for a regulatory framework also faces delays. Meity aims to prevent industry dominance in self-regulation and is weighing the government's direct involvement in determining permissibility. The decision, yet to be finalized, comes after amendments to IT rules in April sought self-regulation for online gaming.

The central government has taken a firm stance against fraudulent loan apps, directing social media and online platforms not to host their advertisements. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's advisory, stating that carrying ads for these apps misleads and exploits users. The move aims to ensure a safe and trusted internet environment, aligning with evolving jurisprudence. The Minister highlighted the government's commitment to enforcing IT rules that prohibit 11 areas of content, emphasizing the crackdown on misleading ads to protect online users.

Billionaire investor Vinod Khosla, a key supporter of OpenAI with a $50 million investment, anticipates AI causing significant economic deflation over the next quarter-century. Khosla suggests a shift in economic metrics, where traditional measures like GDP may lose relevance due to AI's impact. As AI takes center stage, he envisions capital scarcity but an abundance of goods and services. Khosla's insights prompt reflection on the right metrics for this evolving economic landscape, challenging conventional assessments of economic health.

In response to rising concerns over deepfake videos, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory, urging social media platforms to adhere to existing IT rules. The directive, targeting misinformation fueled by AI, emphasizes clear communication of prohibited content under Rule 3(1)(b) to users. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar warns of legal consequences for violations and announces close monitoring of compliance. The advisory aims to combat deepfake dissemination, outlining penalties under the Indian Penal Code and IT Act. Social media platforms must inform users about legal provisions, ensuring due diligence in content removal.

Apple faces a setback as the International Trade Commission orders the halt of Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watch sales before Christmas. Accused of incorporating trade secrets by tech firm Masimo, Apple complies, pausing online sales from December 21 and in-store sales from Christmas Eve. A Presidential Review Period, lasting until December 25, will determine the ban's fate. Apple disagrees with the order, vowing legal and technical pursuit. The dispute centers on blood oxygen sensing technology. Customers affected are urged to stay tuned for updates as Apple explores options to swiftly return the halted models to the U.S. market.

Twitter experienced a major global outage on Thursday morning that prevented tweets from showing up in users' feeds. While the platform itself remained accessible, user timelines were completely empty across all tabs like Following, For You and Lists. The cause of the glitch is still unclear but tweets continue to be posted, as evident by the quick rise of the #TwitterDown hashtag. However, tweeted content is not visible to other users while the outage persists. There is no estimate yet on when full Twitter functionality may resume and timelines start populated again. The fresh issue underscores Elon Musk's ongoing struggles with stabilizing his newly-acquired company.

The European Union initiates formal proceedings against X, owned by Elon Musk, citing potential breaches of Digital Services Act rules. The allegations involve countering illegal content, disinformation, and transparency obligations. X asserts cooperation with regulatory processes, emphasizing the importance of a non-political and lawful investigation. The Digital Services Act introduces stringent regulations, allowing substantial fines or suspension for major tech firms failing to protect users from extreme content. The investigation, the first under the DSA, follows prior EU scrutiny of X over the spread of terrorist content and hate speech.