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Euronews
9 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
US tech giants ask European Commission for 'simplest possible' AI code
US tech giants Amazon, IBM, Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI have called upon the European Commission to keep its upcoming Code of Practice on General-Purpose AI (GPAI) 'as simple as possible', according to now published minutes of a meeting held last week. In a meeting with Werner Stengg, an official in the cabinet of EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, the companies said that the code 'should be as simple as possible, so as to avoid redundant reporting and unnecessary administrative burden'. The voluntary Code of Practice on GPAI, aims to help providers of AI models – such as large language models like ChatGPT, comply with the EU's AI Act. The final draft was due out on 2 May but was delayed because the Commission 'received a number of requests to leave the consultations open longer than originally planned.' The EU executive appointed thirteen experts last September to work on the guidelines and organised plenary sessions and workshops enabling some 1,000 participants to share feedback. The previous texts were criticised by publishers for impacts on copyright rules, while US Big Tech companies said the draft would stymie innovation and prove burdensome. The companies told Stengg that the final text should 'allow its signatories sufficient time to implement the various commitments after the publication of the final version of the Code' and warned that it should not go beyond the intended scope of the AI Act itself. Earlier this month, ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus warned lawmakers in Brussels that he is concerned about 'proposals driven by Big Tech' that weaken creative rights under the AI Act. The artist - who is the president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) - echoed concerns voiced by other creative industry players in recent months. The Commission said previously that the aim is to publish the latest draft 'before the summer'. On 2 August, the rules on GP AI tools enter into force. The AI Act itself - which regulates AI tools according to the risk they pose to society - entered into force in August last year. Its provisions apply gradually, before the Act will be fully applicable in 2027. Ukraine is no longer prohibited from using long-range weapons on targets within Russia in the ongoing effort to repulse its invasion, one of its key European allies signalled on Monday. In the past, Ukraine received long-range missiles from the US, UK, Germany, and France, but was only allowed to use them against any Russian forces that were in occupied Ukrainian territory. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told journalists that the lifting of restrictions - which, he later clarified, was a decision made months ago - will make "the decisive difference in Ukraine's warfare". "A country that can only oppose an attacker on its own territory is not defending itself adequately," he said. Following Merz's comments, Euronews Next takes a look at which weapons Ukraine can now use unrestricted, and how they might impact the course of the war now in its fourth year. The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is a long-range surface-to-surface missile artillery weapon system that strikes targets "well beyond the range of exising Army canons," according to US manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The missiles on the system are "all-weather adaptable, stealthy firepower" against targets up to 300 km away. The missiles are fired either from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) or MLRS M270 platforms, both produced by Lockheed Martin. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed in November 2024 that it had shot down some of the first foreign-made long-range missiles fired directly into their territory, including six US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). But it was not the first time Ukraine had fired them. Reports from as far back as October 2023 suggest Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles that reportedly destroyed nine helicopters at Russian bases in the eastern part of the country. The Storm Shadow, or SCALP to the French, is a long-range missile jointly manufactured between France and the UK that weighs 1,300 kg and has a range "in excess" of 250 km. European multinational manufacturer MBDA said the missile works well for pre-planned attacks against stationary targets, like hardened bunkers or key infrastructure. The missile is described by MBDA as offering a high-precision strike day or night because it combines GPS, onboard guidance systems, and terrain mapping to find its target. Once the Storm Shadow missile approaches a target, an infrared device matches an image of the target with stored pictures on its onboard hard drive to make sure the target matches its mission, MBDA said. The missile's warhead has a first charge that allows it to penetrate a bunker or clear soil, then after it lets out a fuze to control how the ordnance detonates. It's already in service with the UK, French, and Italian militaries, MBDA said. In Germany, much of the conversation has centred on supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. The Taurus KEPD 350, manufactured jointly by Swedish company Saab and MBDA Deutschland, is an "incomparable modular standoff missile" that can land precision strikes on stationary targets like bunkers and high-value targets like large radar stations. The Taurus flies at low terrain to penetrate thick air defenses and shoot down targets with a 481 kg warhead system called the MEPHISTO. The air-to-surface missile system has a range of over 500 km and weighs 1400 kg. Before Germany's last federal election held in February, Merz, as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, had called for the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Merz has now signalled that Ukraine and Germany would produce the "This will be a cooperation on an industrial level, which can take place both in Ukraine and here in Germany," Merz said. While restrictions on long-range weapons have been lifted, Merz declined to confirm if Germany would be delivering Taurus missiles to Kyiv or not.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
EU investigates four porn platforms over risks to children
HighlightsThe European Commission has launched an investigation into four pornographic platforms, including Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos, for allegedly failing to implement effective age verification measures to protect minors from accessing adult content. Under the European Union's Digital Services Act, very large online platforms with at least 45 million monthly active users have heightened obligations to safeguard children and ensure their privacy and security online. The investigation could lead to fines of up to six percent of a firm's global turnover for violations, and platforms found guilty of serious and repeated violations may face bans from operating in Europe. The EU launched an investigation on Tuesday into four pornographic platforms over suspicions they are failing to stop children accessing adult content in breach of the bloc's strict digital content law. The European Commission said its investigations into Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos "focus on the risks for the protection of minors, including those linked to the absence of effective age verification measures". The commission, the European Union's tech regulator, accused the platforms of not having "appropriate" age verification tools to prevent children from being exposed to porn. An AFP correspondent had only to click a button on Tuesday stating they were older than 18, without any further checks, to gain access to each of the four platforms. The commission found that the four platforms did not have "appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors". They also did not have measures in place to prevent negative effects on children as well as users' mental and physical well-being, the commission said. "Online platforms must ensure that the rights and best interests of children are central to the design and functioning of their services," it added. Pornhub's parent company Aylo said it was "fully committed to ensuring the safety of minors online", adding that "We will always comply with the law." The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) forces the world's biggest tech companies to do more to protect European users online and has strict rules to safeguard children and ensure their privacy and security. Under the law, "very large" online platforms with at least 45 million monthly active users in the EU have even greater obligations, and they are regulated by the commission rather than national authorities. Fearful over children's access to adult content, the commission said it would work with national authorities to make sure smaller porn platforms apply the same rules. "Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online. Together with the digital service coordinators in the member states we are determined to tackle any potential harm to young online users," EU digital tsar Henna Virkkunen said. - Protecting children - The EU also said it would remove Stripchat from the list of "very large" platforms since it now had fewer than 45 million monthly active users on average, with its probe to focus on the period when it fell under its purview. Brussels noted that the launch of formal proceedings did not prejudge the investigation's outcome, and that there was no deadline for its completion. Violations, if proven, risk fines of up to six percent of a firm's global turnover. Platforms found guilty of serious and repeated violations can also be banned from operating in Europe. The EU in parallel has invited the public including parents to help prepare guidelines for the protection of children online, and it is developing an age-verification app. The DSA, which has a wide remit, sits within the EU's powerful legal weaponry to regulate Big Tech. Brussels has opened a wave of probes under the DSA since 2023 including into Meta's Facebook and Instagram as well as TikTok and Elon Musk's X social media platform.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
EU investigates four major porn sites under bloc's digital rules on child protection
European Union regulators said Tuesday they're investigating four major porn websites over suspicions that they've breached the bloc's online content rules that include provisions for protecting children from pornographic material. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, said it has opened formal proceedings against Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos under the 27-nation bloc's Digital Safety Act. The sweeping rulebook, also known as the DSA, requires internet companies and online platforms to do more to protect users under threat of hefty fines worth up to 6% of annual global revenue. The commission said protecting young users online is one of the DSA's priorities and it will now carry out an in-depth investigation into the companies 'as a matter of priority.' The investigation will focus on the risks to protection of minors, including dangers associated with the lack of effective age verification measures. It said the porn sites have failed to put in place 'appropriate and proportionate measures' to a high level safety and security for minors, especially when it comes to age verification tools designed to prevent minors from getting to adult content. The sites also lack 'risk assessment and mitigation measures' of any negative effects, including on users mental and physical well-being, the commission said. Pornhub, XNXX, Stripchat and XVideos were classed as 'very large online platforms' that face the highest level of scrutiny under the DSA. However the commission said it granted Stripchat's request to be removed from the list because it didn't have enough users. Pornhub's parent company Aylo said it's aware of the investigation and is 'fully committed' to ensuring online safety of minors. 'We will always comply with the law, but we hope that governments around the world will implement laws that protect the safety and security of users,' the company said in a statement. Aylo said that 'the real solution for protecting minors and adults alike' is to verify users' ages with individual devices rather than having websites do it. XNXX, Stripchat and XVideos didn't respond to requests for comment. 'The online space should be a safe environment for children to learn and connect. Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online,' Henna Virkkunen, the Commission's executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in a statement. Officials said the EU is also working on its own age-verification app that online platforms can use to verify if a user is over the age of 18, without revealing any other personal information. It will be available by the summer. The investigation comes after the commission held a public consultation on draft online children protection measures that included proposals for age verification and 'age estimation' methods to block young people from inappropriate content. Along with the bloc-wide scrutiny of big sites, smaller porn platforms will also face supervision from individual EU member countries's digital regulators, the Commission said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
EU investigates four pornography platforms over risks to children
The EU launched an investigation on Tuesday into four pornographic platforms over suspicions they are failing to stop children accessing adult content in breach of the bloc's strict digital content law. The European Commission said its investigations into Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos "focus on the risks for the protection of minors, including those linked to the absence of effective age verification measures". The commission, the European Union's tech regulator, accused the platforms of not having "appropriate" age verification tools to prevent children from being exposed to porn. An AFP correspondent had only to click a button on Tuesday stating they were older than 18, without any further checks, to gain access to each of the four platforms. The commission found that the four platforms did not have "appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors". They also did not have measures in place to prevent negative effects on children as well as users' mental and physical well-being, the commission said. "Online platforms must ensure that the rights and best interests of children are central to the design and functioning of their services," it added. Pornhub's parent company Aylo said it was "fully committed to ensuring the safety of minors online", adding that "We will always comply with the law." The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) forces the world's biggest tech companies to do more to protect European users online and has strict rules to safeguard children and ensure their privacy and security. Under the law, "very large" online platforms with at least 45 million monthly active users in the EU have even greater obligations, and they are regulated by the commission rather than national authorities. Fearful over children's access to adult content, the commission said it would work with national authorities to make sure smaller porn platforms apply the same rules. "Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online. Together with the digital service coordinators in the member states we are determined to tackle any potential harm to young online users," EU digital tsar Henna Virkkunen said. The EU also said it would remove Stripchat from the list of "very large" platforms since it now had fewer than 45 million monthly active users on average, with its probe to focus on the period when it fell under its purview. Brussels noted that the launch of formal proceedings did not prejudge the investigation's outcome, and that there was no deadline for its completion. Violations, if proven, risk fines of up to six percent of a firm's global turnover. Platforms found guilty of serious and repeated violations can also be banned from operating in Europe. The EU in parallel has invited the public including parents to help prepare guidelines for the protection of children online, and it is developing an age-verification app. The DSA, which has a wide remit, sits within the EU's powerful legal weaponry to regulate Big Tech. Brussels has opened a wave of probes under the DSA since 2023 including into Meta's Facebook and Instagram as well as TikTok and Elon Musk's X social media platform.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pornhub and other adult websites under EU investigation over lack of child safety measures
The European Commission has launched an investigation into four major adult websites on Tuesday, accusing them of not complying with regulations that protect minors from accessing pornography. Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos – the websites at the subject of the investigation – are accused of not doing enough to prevent children from accessing the adult content on their platforms. Safeguarding minors from accessing pornography is an essential part of the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which went into effect in 2022 and applies to all platforms that are used in the bloc. 'Online platforms must ensure that the rights and best interests of children are central to the design and functioning of their services,' the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday, highlighting that 'appropriate and proportionate measures' must be in place to ensure that minors are safe online. The websites under investigation do not use effective age verification tools which would stop children from viewing harmful content, the European Commission alleged. CNN has reached out to Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos for comment. 'The online space should be a safe environment for children to learn and connect. Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online,' Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in Tuesday's statement. In December 2023, the EU announced that it had added Pornhub, Stripchat and XVideos to its list of 'very large online platforms' or VLOPs, a classification that subjects them to tougher standards covering age verification, content moderation and transparency under the DSA. The commission announced Tuesday that Stripchat would no longer be designated a VLOP, as the site's number of average monthly active recipients in the EU is lower than the threshold needed for this classification. Stripchat will still need to ensure a 'high level of protection of minors on its service' under the DSA despite this de-designation, the commission stressed. The EU is developing an age-verification app that will allow individuals to prove that they are over 18 without revealing any other information about themselves online, the commission statement said. The app will be available this summer, it added.
