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Technology News
Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology
Rockstar Games shared a 26-minute preview of the new video game Grand Theft Auto 6, showing detailed graphics, car chases, and shoot-outs. The game follows two main characters and is set in a fictional Florida-like state. It will launch as a single-player game with complex story choices and realistic environments.
Key Facts
Rockstar revealed a 26-minute preview of Grand Theft Auto 6 on Netflix and YouTube.
The game features two main characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Camino, whose story changes based on player choices.
The setting is a fictional US state called Leonida, inspired by Florida.
Graphics are photorealistic with highly detailed characters and diverse backgrounds.
Players can switch control between the two main characters during gameplay.
The preview showed classic series elements like armed heists, car chases, and satire about US culture.
GTA 6 builds on features from previous Rockstar games, like an honor system affecting reputation.
Rockstar confirmed GTA 6 will launch without an online multiplayer mode initially.
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Twitch experienced a major outage on Thursday afternoon, causing many users to have trouble loading the site, using the app, and connecting to servers. The problem started shortly after the new Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay trailer was released, which brought a large number of viewers to Twitch streams.
Key Facts
Twitch confirmed it had technical issues affecting its website, chat, and video services.
Over 17,000 users reported problems on Downdetector during the outage.
The outage began less than an hour after the GTA 6 trailer was released.
Popular streamers like Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed were streaming their reactions during the outage.
By 4:45 p.m. ET, the pages of these streamers were not accessible.
The spike in traffic from GTA 6 related content likely contributed to the issues.
Twitch Support acknowledged the widespread instability publicly.
Reports of the outage have decreased since the peak.
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A lawsuit alleges that Elon Musk’s company xAI used illegal child sexual abuse images to train its AI model called Grok. The complaint says these images were part of the training data and that Grok also trained on AI-generated illegal content, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by a victim, referred to as Jane Doe, who was abused as a child and whose images were used in child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Doe’s images are in a CSAM Hash List managed by groups like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The complaint claims xAI included these hashed images in the dataset used to train Grok’s image and video generation tools.
Grok’s terms say publicly posted content and Grok’s own outputs can be used to train the model further.
The lawsuit states xAI may not have excluded CSAM or similar harmful content from its training filters.
Doe wants a class action to stop Grok from producing illegal images and to hold xAI responsible under federal child pornography laws and related legislation.
The case is the first accusing xAI of using CSAM in AI training.
The complaint highlights the difficulty of removing illegal images' influence from AI models once they are trained.
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Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims from many U.S. states. These claims say that Meta’s social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, harm and addict children. The company will also add stronger safety rules to protect kids on its platforms.
Key Facts
Meta owns Facebook and Instagram, popular social media platforms.
Many U.S. states claimed Meta’s platforms were harmful and addictive to children.
Meta agreed to settle these claims by paying up to $18 billion.
The settlement includes new safety measures to better protect children using Meta’s products.
The agreement was reached in 2024 after discussions between Meta and state officials.
The issue was highlighted in a 60 Minutes report where families talked about social media’s impact on their kids.
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Leading AI companies and security firms warn that artificial intelligence could soon be used to launch advanced cyberattacks against important organizations. They urge quick action to improve cybersecurity and share knowledge to protect against these new threats.
Key Facts
OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and others signed a letter warning about AI-powered cyberattacks.
The letter says there is only a short time—possibly months—to improve defenses against these attacks.
AI attacks have risen by 89% from 2024 to 2025, according to a CrowdStrike report.
Existing cybersecurity weaknesses include outdated software, poor permissions, and unpatched systems.
Organizations should invest more in security teams and AI-based defense tools.
Experts are encouraged to share information and strategies to better stop attacks.
Governments need to support coordinated cyber defense efforts at all levels.
AI companies must provide safe access to their models and help train people to use them responsibly.
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Nvidia is planning to buy Hugging Face, a company that hosts and shares AI models, for about $13 billion. This deal could help Nvidia strengthen its role in the AI industry by gaining access to a popular platform used by developers and researchers.
Key Facts
Nvidia aims to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, according to reports.
Hugging Face is a cloud repository where AI models are stored, shared, and improved by users.
The acquisition is not yet final, but talks are actively ongoing.
Other companies, including Salesforce, showed interest in buying Hugging Face.
Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft have previously invested in Hugging Face.
Hugging Face hosts open-weight models, which are AI models free for public use and modification.
Nvidia hopes to revive its cloud AI business with this acquisition.
Hugging Face also works on AI models used in robotics and physical applications, matching Nvidia’s strengths in those fields.
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Netflix showed an extended preview of the new video game Grand Theft Auto 6 before its official release on November 19. The game features two main characters involved in crime and takes place in a fictional state inspired by Florida.
Key Facts
The preview was a 25-minute video showing clips of the game’s story and action scenes.
The two main characters are Jason Duval, an Army veteran, and Lucia Camino, the first female protagonist in the series.
The setting is a made-up state called Leonida, based on Florida.
Netflix partnered with Rockstar Games, the game developer, for this preview.
The game’s release was delayed twice to improve the development.
Leaks and spoilers about the game have appeared online, which Rockstar acknowledged but asked fans to wait for the official release.
An Army unit in Georgia offered soldiers time off to play the game if they sign a reenlistment contract.
Analysts predict GTA 6 could sell 35 million copies by April 2027, much more than the previous game’s launch day sales.
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The United Nations human rights chief said social media platforms should be safe for children and called on companies like TikTok and YouTube to add safety features similar to those Meta is introducing. Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a US lawsuit and promised new child protection measures like time limits and parental controls, but the UN said governments must also act.
Key Facts
Meta reached a settlement to pay up to $18 billion to 48 US states and territories over claims its platforms harm children.
As part of the deal, Meta will add safety features like one-hour daily time limits, night mode, and age verification.
$5.3 billion of the settlement depends on TikTok and YouTube also adopting similar safety measures.
The UN human rights chief Volker Türk praised Meta’s child protection plans but said more work is needed.
The UN recommends safer social media design, protecting data privacy, and better age checks without banning children from social media.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pushing TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar child safety features.
Meta did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement.
The UN says governments should take stronger action to protect children online rather than waiting for lawsuits or company decisions.
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Meta Platforms agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 48 U.S. states that includes new rules to protect kids on Instagram and Facebook. The rules set daily time limits for users under 18, stronger age checks to keep kids under 13 off, and block app use at night, among other changes.
Key Facts
Meta will pay $18 billion over 10 years as part of the settlement with 48 U.S. states.
Kids under 13 will be blocked from using Instagram and Facebook.
Teens under 18 will have a strict two-hour daily limit on app use by default.
The apps will block users under 18 from using them between midnight and 6 a.m.
Meta will improve age verification using AI and third-party tools, with outside audits to check effectiveness.
Some safety features will be turned on automatically, like time limits and night blocks, while others require user choice.
Meta said these new rules apply only in the United States and will last for about 10 years.
Critics welcome the changes but say they do not fix all problems related to kids’ safety and mental health on social media.
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Parents who lost children to harms linked to social media joined a lawsuit against Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram. Meta agreed to an $18 billion settlement and promised to improve protections for young users, but some parents feel the settlement did not fully address their concerns about safety and transparency.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involved 29 US states suing Meta for design flaws that allegedly caused addiction and exposure to harmful contact for children.
Meta settled the case for $18 billion and agreed to strengthen protections for young users.
Some parents said the settlement prevented the release of evidence they wanted to see about Meta’s internal knowledge of platform risks.
Meta’s Instagram CEO said new features like break reminders and quiet mode were added in 2024 for teen users.
Parents argued these features are seldom used, and they want more transparency and stricter limits on addictive elements like infinite scrolling and notifications.
Internal documents shown in the case reportedly revealed that Meta executives knew of the security problems and risks on their platforms.
Parents called for changes to algorithms and ads targeting minors, as the settlement did not ban advertising to children or make algorithms clear.
The trial had just begun and was expected to last six weeks before the settlement was reached.
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Nvidia has started a political action committee (PAC) funded by its employees to take part in election spending. The PAC is officially called the Nvidia Corporation Employees Federal Political Action Committee and aims to increase the company’s involvement in Washington politics.
Key Facts
Nvidia is launching a new corporate political action committee (PAC).
The PAC is funded by employees who are allowed to contribute.
Its official name is Nvidia Corporation Employees Federal Political Action Committee.
The launch was announced with a formal filing on Thursday.
This PAC will let Nvidia increase its influence in political matters in Washington.
The PAC was first reported by Bloomberg Government.
Political action committees raise money to support candidates or causes in elections.
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President Donald Trump is considering new tariffs on semiconductor chips and related products, which the tech industry warns could harm U.S. innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and the economy. The proposed taxes might apply to many tech products, potentially raising costs for consumers and slowing down important tech projects.
Key Facts
President Trump may soon announce broad tariffs on semiconductor chips and products that use them.
These tariffs could affect items like gaming consoles, data center servers, smartphones, and laptops.
Industry groups say the tariffs could cause a $90 billion annual loss in U.S. economic output (GDP).
The tariffs might delay or cancel about 20% of planned data center projects through 2030.
Higher costs from tariffs may push data center development and tech manufacturing outside the U.S.
Consumers could see higher prices on everyday tech devices, limiting access to AI-powered tools.
The administration might offer some tariff relief for foreign companies investing in U.S. chip production.
Tariffs could be implemented gradually to lessen immediate negative effects on consumers and the economy.
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UCLA is starting the country’s first bachelor’s degree program in digital humanities this fall. This program mixes traditional subjects like history and literature with technology skills such as coding and data analysis, focusing on how new technology affects culture and human behavior.
Key Facts
UCLA’s digital humanities bachelor’s degree begins in fall 2024.
The major combines humanities subjects with technology tools like coding, 3D mapping, and data visualization.
The program teaches ethical use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
Students learn how AI can create misleading information and biases.
Digital humanities has been taught at UCLA for over 20 years and is the second most popular minor on campus.
Around 750 students took digital humanities courses last year; about 40 to 100 may choose it as a major.
The department starts with 23 faculty and 4 staff, but UCLA has a current hiring freeze.
Internships will be offered with museums like the Wende Museum to provide real-world experience.
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Rockstar Games is set to officially show gameplay footage of Grand Theft Auto VI after many leaks revealed parts of the game earlier. The game is set in a state like Florida and features two main characters involved in crime and smuggling. Several hackers have leaked game materials, causing problems for Rockstar before the game’s official release in November.
Key Facts
Grand Theft Auto VI is set in the fictional state of Leonida, based on Florida.
There are two main playable characters: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
The characters work for a local smuggler named Brian Heder.
Rockstar called recent leaks of the game "devastating" and is working to stop the hackers.
A hacker group called Cyberleek has posted video clips of the game online.
An earlier leak in 2022 involved a British teenager who was caught and sentenced in 2023.
Rockstar plans to show official gameplay footage via Netflix just before the game’s release on November 18.
The game has been in development for over ten years and is expected to be very successful and expensive to make.
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NASA has given one of its T-38 jets a new paint design to celebrate its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon. The jet’s new look features black, white, blue, and red colors along with the Artemis logo and a picture of the Moon.
Key Facts
The T-38 Talon is a supersonic two-seat trainer jet NASA has used since 1962.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center currently operates 14 active T-38 jets.
Most T-38 jets have a classic blue stripe paint design used for decades.
The new Artemis-themed paint on jet N924NA was created by pilot Sean Brady.
The paint scheme includes black and white colors with blue and red stripes and Artemis logos.
Artemis III astronauts, including Andre Douglas, praised the new jet design.
Artemis III mission is planned for no earlier than June 2027 to test lunar landing technologies.
NASA plans to have astronauts land on the Moon again by Artemis IV around 2028 and eventually set up a Moon base.
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A group of 100 companies, including Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI, have signed a letter asking governments and organizations to improve cyber security before AI-powered attacks become more common and harder to stop. The letter warns that current security methods are not enough, and stresses the need for better defenses, testing, and cooperation to protect important services like hospitals and water systems.
Key Facts
100 companies, including major tech firms and banks, signed an open letter about AI and cyber security.
They warn AI-driven cyber-attacks will increase in number and sophistication soon.
Current cyber security measures are considered insufficient to handle future AI threats.
The letter calls for stronger government action, better defenses, and rigorous testing of AI systems.
Anthropic’s AI tool Mythos can find security weaknesses quickly, including one unnoticed for 27 years.
Anthropic limits access to Mythos due to its potential danger if misused.
OpenAI tested a group of AI agents that successfully coordinated an attack on the company Hugging Face.
US senators have proposed the Kill Switch Act to allow authorities to shut down dangerous AI models.
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More than 100 companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, warned that organizations have only a few months to prepare for cyberattacks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). They urge companies and governments to strengthen defenses, improve security standards, and cooperate to protect important systems like hospitals and water plants.
Key Facts
Over 100 companies signed an open letter about the urgent need to prepare for AI-based cyber threats.
AI makes it easier and cheaper for hackers to attack critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water treatment plants.
The letter calls for all organizations to fix their most serious security weaknesses and improve what they buy and build, including AI-generated software.
Cybersecurity and tech companies must develop and share defense tools that use AI to protect critical systems.
Governments should improve sharing of cyber threat information and coordinate defense efforts at all levels.
AI companies are urged to support defenders during major cyberattacks with advanced tools and funding.
The warning follows recent AI-driven cyberattacks, including one on U.S. water systems.
The letter does not include specific deadlines or promises for action or investment.
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Meta removed dozens of Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to an Iran-based group that used artificial intelligence (AI) to create posts and pretend to be Americans. These accounts shared political content aimed at U.S. audiences and gathered tens of thousands of followers before being shut down.
Key Facts
Meta took down 4 Facebook and 31 Instagram accounts connected to actors in Iran.
The accounts used AI to create content, including memes about U.S. politics and global issues like Israel-Palestine and immigration.
The operators pretended to be U.S. citizens such as activists and students living in major cities.
The fake accounts tagged real journalists and politicians and tried to contact prominent figures for collaborations.
About 79,400 Instagram users followed one or more of these inauthentic accounts.
The campaign had moderate reach but only limited engagement according to Meta.
The actors used proxy and hosting services in the U.S. and Canada to hide their Iranian origin.
Meta is investing in AI tools to detect and remove fake accounts faster.
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Flock Safety, a company that provides license plate reading technology used by police, is facing criticism over privacy concerns and police misuse. The CEO, Garrett Langley, has called for a balance between public safety and privacy while the company works on improving transparency and accountability.
Key Facts
Flock Safety operates a large network of automated license plate readers used by thousands of law enforcement agencies in 49 states.
Critics have shared Garrett Langley’s alleged home address online in response to his comments about compromising on privacy.
The company has faced backlash due to reports of police misusing its data for unauthorized purposes, including stalking.
Over 50 cities and towns have stopped using Flock’s technology since the start of the year.
Langley has appeared in media interviews to explain the company’s stance and promote new rules for auditing and accountability.
Flock has introduced tools to detect abnormal data use and is advocating for state regulation focusing on law enforcement accountability rather than banning the technology.
Supporters say the technology helps solve crimes and find missing people, while opponents warn it enables mass surveillance.
News organizations have raised concerns over privacy and the potential for creating a surveillance state.
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Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company) has agreed to pay $18 billion to settle claims from 29 US states that its platforms harmed children. As part of the settlement, new rules like two-hour daily time limits and a night mode will be added for children using Facebook and Instagram.
Key Facts
Meta agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 29 US states.
The states accused Facebook and Instagram of harming children.
Meta did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
New features for children on these platforms include a two-hour daily time limit.
A night mode will also be introduced for child users.
Meta suggests other technology companies should add similar safety features.
The article also mentions UK Home Office data showing a 23% drop in small boat arrivals compared to last year.
This information was discussed in a BBC Newscast episode featuring expert commentary.
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