China overtakes US as a research leader
ASPI tracker reveals
According to the latest results from ASPI's Critical Technology Tracker, China has overtaken the United States as the global leader in research across most critical technologies.
UK plans a phone ban for kids
This will go down well
The UK Parliament is considering new legislation to curb young people's smartphone usage to address growing concerns over children's mental health and digital well-being.
UK might make USB-C default charging standard
Brexit means copying Europe
The British government has now begun a consultation on whether it should follow the EU and India in implementing USB-C as the default charging port for all consumer devices.
UK government needs to do more to sort out AI
House of Lords committee wants more competition and less agreeing with Big Tech
A Lords committee is laying into the government, demanding that market competition in artificial intelligence (AI) be made “an explicit policy objective”.
Sinking Fujitsu axed from UK flood warning system
Post office scandal has knock-on effects
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has given Fujitsu the old heave-ho from providing a flood warning system to the UK, just two months after signing an extension of up to 12 months.
UK facial recognition gamekeeper turns poacher
Fraser Sampson resigns after controversial decision and joins “enemy”
The recently-departed watchdog in charge of monitoring technology in UK has joined the private firm he controversially approved.
Brits make Amazon and Facebook sign data pledge
Can’t sell it to give them an unfair advantage
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has made Facebook and Amazon promise not to sell third-party seller data that gives it an unfair commercial advantage.
Signal plans to leave the UK
We will not allow spooks to spy on users
The Signal Foundation, which maintains the nonprofit Signal messaging app, has confirmed that it will leave the UK due to the country's recently passed Online Safety Bill.
UK puts Microsoft-Activision deal back on the table
After everyone in the world said it was OK
The red-faced UK Competition and Markets Authority has made a rare move to put Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition back on the table.
UK telco watchdog Ofcom hacked
MOVEit
Hackers responsible for the MOVEit cyberattack broke into the UK communications regulator Ofcom and stole information about companies it regulates, as well as its own employees.