United News of Bangladesh

The first stand-alone trial brought by state prosecutors in a series of lawsuits against Meta is set to begin in New Mexico, with jury selection starting Monday. The case is based on a state undercover investigation that used proxy social media accounts and posed as children to document sexual solicitations and Meta’s response. Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The case could provide states with a new legal avenue to pursue social media companies over the impact of their platforms on children, relying on consumer protection and nuisance laws. Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging that Meta created a marketplace and “breeding ground” for predators targeting children for sexual exploitation and failed to disclose what it knew about those harmful effects. Legal experts say a victory for New Mexico could have far-reaching consequences as regulators worldwide search for legal theories to rein in social media companies. “So many regulators are keyed up looking for any evidence of a legal theory that would punish social media that a victory in that case could have ripple effects throughout the country, and the globe,” said Eric Goldman, codirector of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law. “Whatever the jury says will be of substantial interest.” The trial, which is scheduled to begin with opening statements on Feb. 9, is expected to last nearly two months. Read More: Meta secures large nuclear energy supply to power AI data centers Meta has denied the civil allegations, accusing prosecutors of using a “sensationalist” approach. Although CEO Mark Zuckerberg was removed as a defendant, he has been deposed and case documents include references to him. The New Mexico lawsuit centers on allegations that Meta’s algorithms promote harmful and addictive content to children, rather than focusing on user-generated posts themselves. Prosecutors argue this strategy could bypass longstanding legal protections under the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The state’s undercover investigation involved decoy accounts posing as minors, which documented sexual solicitations and monitored Meta’s response. Prosecutors say the company prioritized profits over child safety. Goldman said Meta is deploying significant legal resources in New Mexico and elsewhere. “If they lose this,” he said, “it becomes another beachhead that might erode their basic business.”

Some Roblox users have been staging “raids” in the popular roleplaying game Brookhaven, wearing ICE gear and acting out immigration enforcement scenarios. Others have taken to virtual streets with protest signs, displaying messages like “We hate ICE” — all compliant with Roblox’s rules against profanity. Videos of these protests and raid reenactments have gone viral on TikTok, garnering millions of views. While such activism in Roblox isn’t entirely new — similar content emerged during last summer’s “No Kings” protests — the renewed activity seems linked to recent immigration operations in Minnesota and the resistance they sparked among protesters. Read More: Meta secures large nuclear energy supply to power AI data centers Giovanni Ramos, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley, noted that virtual protests can be a healthy outlet for young people to process news about immigration enforcement. However, reenacting raids can be concerning and violates Roblox’s community standards, which prohibit content that recreates real-world sensitive events or glorifies those responsible. Roblox enforces these rules using human moderators, AI, and user reports. Ramos added that while some youth may simply be exploring current events, these protests also help them find social support and connect with peers experiencing similar challenges — an important emotional lifeline.

Apple posted record iPhone sales during the October–December holiday quarter, as loyal customers snapped up the new iPhone 17 lineup despite the company’s delayed rollout of promised artificial intelligence upgrades and recent missteps in AI development. In its quarterly results released Thursday, Apple reported iPhone revenue of $85.3 billion, up 23 percent from a year earlier and the highest ever for the device in a three month period since its launch in 2007. The strong performance came even as Apple has yet to deliver on its pledge to enhance Siri with advanced AI features in 2024. To help drive demand, Apple introduced a new “liquid glass” design across the iPhone 17 series and older models through a free software update released last September. That strategy appeared to resonate with consumers during the peak shopping season. Microsoft tops Wall Street assumption with $81.3B in revenue “The demand for iPhone was simply staggering,” Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said during a conference call with analysts, expressing confidence that the iPhone will evolve into a leading platform for artificial intelligence. The surge in iPhone sales helped Apple post quarterly profits of $42.1 billion, or $2.84 per share, marking a 16 percent increase from the same period last year. Overall revenue rose 16 percent to $143.8 billion, with both earnings and sales beating Wall Street expectations. Apple’s shares rose about 1 percent in after hours trading following the announcement, although the stock remains slightly lower so far this year and only modestly above its level at the end of 2024. Analysts said concerns over Apple’s slower entry into AI may have been overstated. Ethan Feller of Zacks Investment Research said Apple now appears well positioned to expand AI features across its ecosystem, which includes iPads, Mac computers and smartwatches. Apple said more than 2.5 billion active devices worldwide currently run on its operating systems. Looking ahead, Apple plans to release a long delayed batch of AI tools, including an upgraded version of Siri designed to be more conversational and flexible. To support this push, the company is turning to Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 3, in a rare acknowledgment that it needs outside help in a technology seen as the industry’s most significant advance since the iPhone itself. Despite its AI challenges, the iPhone ended last year as the world’s top selling smartphone with nearly 20 percent market share, narrowly ahead of Samsung, according to International Data Corp. Apple also issued an upbeat forecast, saying revenue in the January–March quarter is expected to rise by at least 13 percent year on year, surpassing analysts’ expectations of about 10 percent growth. Meta to test paid subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp However, the AI boom is creating fresh pressure for Apple, particularly from a global shortage of memory chips used in smartphones and laptops. Intense demand from data centers powering AI services is pushing up chip prices, squeezing Apple’s profit margins and raising the possibility of higher prices for iPhones and other products. “We do continue to see market pricing for memory increasing significantly,” Cook told analysts, adding that the company is evaluating multiple options to manage the rising costs.

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) maker led by billionaire Elon Musk, reported a 3% drop in annual revenue for 2025 and a 61% fall in profits in the last quarter, as the company pivots towards artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The automaker announced it will discontinue production of its Model S and Model X vehicles, converting the California plant that produced them to manufacture its humanoid robots, known as Optimus. Musk also confirmed a $2 billion (£1.45 billion) investment in his AI venture, xAI, citing shareholder pressure despite mixed votes on the proposal. The move comes as Chinese EV manufacturer BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s largest electric car maker. Analysts note Tesla’s dated vehicle lineup and declining high-end models prompted the shift to focus on higher-volume vehicles like Model 3 and Model Y, alongside emerging ventures in robotaxis and AI-driven technologies. Musk described the upcoming capital expenditure of about $20 billion as an investment for an “epic future,” aiming to boost Tesla’s market value over the next decade to meet conditions of his record-breaking pay package. Tesla shares rose 2% in after-hours trading following the announcement. The strategic pivot also follows Musk’s controversial political activities, including involvement in former US President Donald Trump’s administration, which affected consumer sentiment toward the company globally.   With inputs from BBC

Microsoft on Wednesday reported revenue of $81.3 billion for the October-December quarter, marking a 17% increase from the same period a year earlier, as the company continues efforts to expand global use of its artificial intelligence tools. The tech giant posted a net profit of $30.9 billion, or $4.14 per share, for the quarter, exceeding Wall Street expectations. The results did not include the impact of Microsoft’s investments in ChatGPT developer OpenAI. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had projected Microsoft to earn $3.91 per share on revenue of $80.31 billion for the October-December quarter. When excluding its OpenAI investments, Microsoft’s profit rose to $38.5 billion, or $5.16 per share, reflecting a new accounting approach the company said it plans to apply going forward. The investments stem from OpenAI’s restructuring last year. Microsoft held an approximately 27% stake, valued at about $135 billion, in OpenAI as the startup originally a nonprofit transitioned into a for-profit public benefit corporation. Although Microsoft is no longer OpenAI’s exclusive cloud provider, a partnership that helped finance the AI company’s early expansion, it will continue to hold commercial rights to OpenAI products through 2032. Read More: Microsoft to invest $17.5 billion in India for AI and Cloud infrastructure Revenue from Microsoft’s AI-driven cloud computing segment totaled $32.9 billion in the final three months of the year, an increase of 29% from the same period last year and above the $32.4 billion forecast by analysts surveyed by FactSet. Despite surpassing expectations, Microsoft shares fell nearly 5% in after-hours trading following the release of its earnings report. Zacks Investment Research analyst Bryan Hayes said the decline likely reflected “investor scrutiny” over Microsoft’s heavy spending on the infrastructure including computer chips and data centers required to support artificial intelligence. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella told investors during an earnings call that the company remains in the “beginning stages” of AI diffusion, referring to the broader adoption of artificial intelligence across industries.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is providing blind people with unprecedented access to visual feedback about their own appearance, transforming daily routines and self-perception, though experts caution that the technology may have complex psychological effects. Apps like Be My Eyes and Envision now allow blind users to receive detailed analyses of their faces and bodies through image recognition and AI-powered feedback. The technology can describe skin condition, facial features, and even suggest styling or makeup adjustments, functioning as a “digital mirror” for users who have never been able to see themselves. Lucy Edwards, a blind content creator, described how AI feedback allows her to understand her appearance after years of relying solely on descriptions from others. “Suddenly we have access to all this information about ourselves, about the world, it changes our lives,” she said. Experts warn, however, that such tools can inadvertently reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. Helena Lewis-Smith, a body image researcher at the University of Bristol, noted that AI often compares users against idealized Western beauty norms, which could negatively affect mental health, especially for those who cannot cross-check information visually. Envision CEO Karthik Mahadevan said that while the apps were initially designed for basic tasks like reading text or navigating the world, users increasingly employ them for personal grooming and styling. “Often the first question they ask is how they look,” he said. AI’s growing role as a personal visual assistant raises both empowerment and risk. Users can control how feedback is provided—whether descriptive, poetic, or evaluative—but inaccuracies and algorithmic biases remain a concern. Some services, such as Aira Explorer, offer human verification of AI descriptions to improve reliability. Researchers emphasize that body image is multi-dimensional, influenced by context, social comparison, and personal agency—factors that AI cannot fully capture. Yet for many blind users, the technology offers newfound independence and self-understanding. Edwards said: “Even though we don’t see visual beauty in the same way sighted people do, AI allows us to experience aspects of ourselves we thought we’d lost.” As AI continues to expand into daily life, specialists call for careful study of its emotional and psychological impact on blind communities, balancing empowerment with awareness of potential harms.   With inputs from BBC

A NASA research plane made an emergency landing in Texas on Tuesday after experiencing a malfunction that prevented its landing gear from deploying, officials said. The WB-57 aircraft touched down at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, sliding across the runway on its belly. Social media footage showed flames and smoke trailing from beneath the plane as it descended and came to a stop. NASA confirmed that the crew is safe and reported the incident as a "mechanical issue" that will be investigated. Local news outlets captured images of the aircraft stationary on the runway with emergency responders and fire trucks attending to the scene. The WB-57, known for its thin fuselage and two-seat cockpit, has been used in scientific research missions since the 1970s. It is capable of flying at high altitudes above 63,000 feet (19,200 meters) for about six and a half hours. Read More: NASA’s new moon rocket rolls to launch pad ahead of possible February astronaut mission According to NASA, the aircraft remains a valuable tool for atmospheric and space research.  

Meta has announced plans to begin testing a new range of paid subscription services on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, signalling a shift toward offering premium features alongside its free core platforms. The tech giant said the upcoming subscriptions will unlock exclusive tools aimed at enhancing creativity, productivity and artificial intelligence use, while keeping basic services accessible to all users at no cost. Meta said the subscriptions will be introduced gradually over the next few months and will deliver a premium experience tailored to how people interact on each app. Rather than launching a single uniform plan, the company will experiment with different feature bundles across platforms, indicating that the strategy may evolve based on user feedback. A key element of the subscription initiative is the expansion of Manus, an AI agent Meta recently acquired for a reported $2 billion. Meta plans to integrate Manus directly into its apps while also continuing to market it as a standalone product for business users. Industry observers have already noticed early signs of Manus integration, including work on adding a shortcut within Instagram. Also Read: EU probes X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes The company is also exploring ways to monetise its AI-driven creative tools. Vibes, an AI-powered short-form video generator available through the Meta AI app, is currently free and allows users to create and remix AI-generated videos. Under the proposed model, users may receive limited free access, with paid subscriptions offering additional video creation credits each month. While Meta has yet to disclose detailed plans for Facebook and WhatsApp, early indications suggest that Instagram’s paid features could include tools such as unlimited audience lists, insights into followers who do not follow back, and the ability to view Stories anonymously. These features are designed to give users greater control and visibility over their social interactions. Meta clarified that the new subscriptions will be separate from Meta Verified, its existing paid service aimed primarily at creators and businesses. Meta Verified focuses on account verification, impersonation protection and priority support, benefits that are less relevant to everyday users. The new subscription plans are intended to attract a broader audience, including casual users and content creators. Also Read: TikTok’s US operation set to collect precise location data Although subscriptions could open up fresh revenue streams, Meta acknowledged the challenge of subscription fatigue, as users already juggle multiple paid services. However, the company pointed to the success of Snapchat+, which has surpassed 16 million subscribers, as evidence that users are willing to pay for added value. Meta said it will closely track user feedback as it rolls out and tests the new offerings. #With inputs from The Indian Express

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk-owned social media platform X over concerns that its AI chatbot Grok was used to generate sexually explicit deepfake images of real individuals. The probe follows a similar move by the UK communications regulator Ofcom in January and focuses on whether X has breached its obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). If violations are confirmed, the company could face fines of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue. X previously said it had blocked Grok from digitally altering images of people to remove clothing in regions where such content is illegal. Regina Doherty, an Irish member of the European Parliament, said the Commission would examine whether manipulated sexually explicit images were shown to users within the EU. Campaigners and victims have criticised the technology, saying it should never have been allowed to generate such content. The Commission said it could impose interim measures if X fails to introduce meaningful safeguards. It has also expanded an ongoing investigation launched in December 2023 into risks linked to X’s content recommendation algorithms. Despite the growing scrutiny, Musk has publicly mocked new restrictions around Grok and previously accused regulators, including the UK government, of using the issue as a pretext for censorship. X recently claimed Grok generated more than 5.5 billion images within a 30-day period. Other countries, including Australia, France and Germany, are also examining the chatbot. Grok was temporarily banned in Indonesia and Malaysia, though Malaysia has since lifted its restriction. Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for technology, described AI-generated sexual deepfakes as a harmful and degrading practice, saying the investigation would determine whether X has upheld its legal responsibilities and protected users, particularly women and children. The move comes weeks after the EU fined X €120 million over concerns that its blue tick verification system misled users. Meanwhile, US officials have criticised the EU’s actions, accusing European regulators of targeting American technology companies. Musk echoed those claims in posts on X.   With inputs from BBC

A singer named Sienna Rose has gained almost three million monthly Spotify listeners with jazz-infused soul tracks, but growing evidence suggests she may be entirely computer-generated. Her song Into the Blue alone has over five million streams, and several of her tracks feature on Spotify’s Viral Top 50. Deezer, a music streaming service, flagged many of her songs as AI-generated. Experts point to anomalies such as continuous hissing sounds, inconsistent drum patterns, generic lyrics, and flawless vocals—hallmarks of AI music. Rose has no social media presence, has never performed live, and uploaded at least 45 tracks in just over two months, a pace unusual even for prolific human artists. Her Instagram featured AI-style images, now deactivated. Despite doubts, pop star Selena Gomez used one of Rose’s tracks in an Instagram post, highlighting the reach of her music. Listeners have expressed both fascination and disappointment upon learning she may not exist. Deezer reports that 34% of daily uploads are AI-generated, up sharply from 5–6% eighteen months ago. Industry voices, including pop star Raye, stress that audiences prefer authentic, soulful music over algorithmically produced tracks. The Sienna Rose phenomenon raises broader questions for the music industry as AI-generated artists compete with real musicians, earning royalties while bypassing the traditional costs and effort involved in launching a music career.   With inputs from BBC