Technology News Era

Today, Paris became one of the first European cities to implement an outright ban on rented e-scooters, after residents previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion. During a referendum in April, voters were given two choices: “for” or “against” a city-wide ban on shared e-scooters. Almost 90% voted in favour of the ban, but the overall turnout was low — only 7.5% of eligible voters casted ballots. Nevertheless, the result was celebrated as a win for democracy by Mayor Anne Hidalgo who vowed to follow through on the verdict. The ban applies to rental e-scooters (known as trottinettes in… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/01GQZbe

This article was originally published on .cult by Melina Zacharia and Luis Minvielle. .cult is a Berlin-based community platform for developers. We write about all things career-related, make original documentaries, and share heaps of other untold developer stories from around the world. The Spanish job market is booming — and so are opportunities for developers. After a turbulent 2020, official sources pointed out that the resuscitation of the services sector and the overall uptick in economic activity will positively impact employment and lower the unemployment rate in Spain in the coming years. The government projected a 7% growth in the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/LXOcsiQ

This article was originally published on .cult by Melina Zacharia and Ines Almeida. .cult is a Berlin-based community platform for developers. We write about all things career-related, make original documentaries, and share heaps of other untold developer stories from around the world. It’s that time again: the annual Honeypot breakdown of software developer salaries in Germany. We’re building on the data we shared in 2022 and 2021 with new insights from 2023, providing you with the learnings you need to make informed choices around your salary options. 2023 has been a more conservative year of growth but growth persists. Our… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/bXh9PBW

Vienna-based advocacy group Noyb has filed complaints against Fitbit in Austria, the Netherlands, and Italy, alleging that the Google-owned fitness tracking company is in violation of EU data privacy regulations.    Fitbit — which sells watches that track activity, heart rate, and sleep — “forces” new users of its app to consent to data transfers outside the EU, said Noyb.  Currently, the only way Fitbit users can withdraw their consent is by deleting their accounts entirely, which would mean losing all their previously tracked workouts and health data.  “This means there is no realistic way to regain control over your data… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/tYWy0xA

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is warning organisations to be wary of the imminent cyber risks associated with the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) — such as ChatGPT — into their business, products, or services. In a set of blog posts, the NCSC emphasised that the global tech community doesn’t yet fully grasp LLMs’ capabilities, weaknesses, and (most importantly) vulnerabilities. “You could say our understanding of LLMs is still ‘in beta’,’’ the authority said. One of the most extensively reported security weaknesses of existing LLMs is their susceptibility to malicious “prompt injection” attacks. These occur when a… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/zlvVTNI

Dutch VC firm PhotonVentures has raised €60mn for its new fund aimed at stimulating Europe’s photonics industry. The capital targets startups and scaleups active in photonic chips — a crucial technology for applications in robotics, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles. Specifically, the fund will initially invest in 15 early-stage companies that show international growth potential and have an integrated photonics-based MVP connected to the European ecosystem. It will prioritise Series A rounds, while investments will vary between €1mn and €2.5mn. The deep tech VC expects to raise an additional €40-90mn by the start of 2024. Joachim de Sterke, General Partner… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/YEf3RrM

This article was originally published on .cult by Melina Zacharia and Ines Almeida. .cult is a Berlin-based community platform for developers. We write about all things career-related, make original documentaries, and share heaps of other untold developer stories from around the world. In this report, we’re exploring developer salaries and trends in the Netherlands. How does the country perform against other tech hubs in Europe? Will it remain an English-speaking haven for software developers and data scientists? 2023 has been yet another year of growth when it comes to software developer salaries in the Netherlands. The average salary grew by… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/rW0RmDU

As governments increase demands for labels on AI-generated content, Google DeepMind has released a potential solution: a watermarking tool. Named SynthID, the system harnesses deep learning to embed digital stamps into the pixels of images. According to DeepMind, the watermarks are imperceptible to the human eye, but detectable with an algorithm. The UK-based research lab said the watermark doesn’t compromise image quality. It also remains detectable after modifications, such as adding filters, changing colours, and cropping. The concept resembles watermarks applied to movies and stock photos. But in this case, the objective isn’t to protect rights holders from counterfeits, but… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/QxZJ1r3

It’s been nearly 2,000 years since Vesuvius’ eruption buried the vibrant Roman city of Pompeii under a deadly blanket of ash. The eerie ruins and the famous casts of Pompeii represent an invaluable window into the dramatic event. However, one of the most pressing questions about that day remains: what exactly was the cause of death of the victims? Applying a new research and technological method, a European team led by the University of Valencia has determined that a number of the fossilised Pompeians died of asphyxiation — and not from dehydration or heat as previously theorised. The researchers performed… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/R1BgKPv

First discovered in 1773 by French astronomer Charles Messier, the Whirlpool galaxy (aka ‘M51’) is one of the most well-known objects in the night sky. Everyone from amateur astronomers to NASA have been sharing images of the Whirlpool galaxy for decades.  But never have you seen an image like the one just captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful of its kind.   What exactly am I looking at here? This mesmerising picture (featured top) is a composite image from the telescope’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. Both devices are built to capture the distant universe by decoding infrared… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/C0N2MEA

After being banned from Belgium in June, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, Binance, has resumed operations in the country by redirecting customers through its entity in Poland.  Binance said its Polish division would comply with the “regulatory obligations” for residents of Belgium, who can now expect an uninterrupted experience on the crypto exchange platform.  However, in keeping with the regulatory requirements, Belgian customers will need to comply with the terms defined by Binance Poland. This may include submitting specific KYC (Know Your Customer) documents to meet the stipulations of Polish regulators.  The move comes roughly two months after Belgium’s… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ZoHBmyV

Rohingya refugees are taking Meta to Ireland’s High Court for the tech giant’s alleged role in the 2017 Myanmar genocide, one of the worst war crimes of this century. Friday (25 August) marked six years since the start of the ethnic cleansing, which saw more than 25,000 people of Muslim Rohingya descent killed by Myanmar’s military, with a further 700,000 displaced.   In 2018, UN human rights investigators said the use of Meta’s social media platform Facebook had played a key role in spreading hate speech, fuelling the violence.   “Facebook’s algorithms and Meta’s ruthless pursuit of profit created an echo… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/HjNPbQy

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has selected two Nordic companies to provide the battery and propulsion technology for the world’s largest electric ship, as the industry looks to charter a course toward greener voyages.  Incat is currently constructing the 130-metre-long battery-electric vessel at its factory on the island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. It is building the vessel for South American shipowner Buquebús.   Once the ship launches, scheduled for some time in 2025, it will ferry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles on a route between Argentina and Uruguay.  Finland’s Wärtsilä will provide the electric motors and water… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/w2KiVxA

In a breakthrough for the EV industry, researchers have discovered a way to prevent a damaging and potentially dangerous side effect that can occur during fast charging: lithium plating. The phenomenon takes place when lithium ions build up on the surface of the battery’s anode (aka the negative electrode) instead of inserting themselves into it via a process called intercalation. As a result, the ions form a layer of metallic lithium which continues to grow on top of the anode. This can damage the battery, reduce its lifespan, decrease its overall performance, and cause short-circuits that could lead to fire… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/YvLUJtl

AI has a notorious history of biases, from facial recognition systems misidentifying Black people to chatbots admiring Hitler. In some settings, the outcomes can be deadly. A case in point was exposed this week. According to new research, the pedestrian detection systems used in autonomous vehicle research have major age and race biases. The study adds another obstacle to the rollout of driverless cars. It also uncovers an alarming potential addition to road safety. The findings derive from a systematic review of eight popular pedestrian detection systems. Researchers from King’s College London (KCL) tested the software on over 8,000 images of pedestrians.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/k0wVrxp

Google will provide more information on targeted advertising, content decisions, and product policies as it strives to comply with the EU’s new content moderation rules, the tech giant said on Thursday. Known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the bloc’s landmark legislation kicks in today for 19 big tech companies. It sets multiple far-reaching measures designed to empower and protect users online against disinformation, harmful or illegal content, and the violation of privacy and free speech. “We will be expanding the Ads Transparency Center, a global searchable repository of advertisers across all our platforms, to meet specific DSA provisions and… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/gx3sCvY

A spacecraft has detected tiny jets that could be the elusive source of the sun’s solar wind. The discovery was made by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter. According to ESA, the satellite is the most complex scientific lab ever sent to the sun. Using the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) —a suite of remote-sensing telescopes —  the probe spotted jets of material emerging from the sun’s outer atmosphere. Each jet lasts between 20 and 100 seconds. During these fleeting moments, they expel charged particles — known as plasma — at around 100km per second. Scientists suspect the jets are powering the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/c1kfd7F

The EU’s latest crackdown on big tech begins before the end of the week. Starting on Friday, a total of 19 major companies must adhere to the sweeping rules of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Essentially, the DSA is a landmark content moderation rulebook, designed to empower and protect users online against harmful or illegal content, disinformation, and the violation of privacy and free speech. The tech firms listed are not only the first required to comply, but also the ones facing the act’s strictest and most far-reaching measures. That’s because they reach at least 45 million European active users… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/cI4JuWj

On Wednesday, the German government announced that it would nearly double its funding for artificial intelligence research. The money pledged towards the development of AI systems now amounts to nearly €1bn, which is still far behind the $3.3bn (€3.04bn) in public funding the US reportedly threw at the field last year.  The Federal Ministry for Education and Research said that AI is a “key technology” that offers enormous opportunities for science, growth, prosperity, competitiveness, and social added value. It further added that “technological sovereignty in AI must be secured,” and that Germany and Europe should take a leading position in… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Xq8QBHj

There seems to be no end in sight for Getir’s woes in Europe. Following exits from multiple markets, the rapid grocery delivery platform is now reducing operations in the Netherlands as well. The Turkish startup is set to close four dark stores in Amsterdam, the company told local paper Het Parool. This is a result of the city council’s new zoning plan which no longer allows the establishment of such stores in exclusively residential areas, following complaints about noise, waste, and traffic nuisance. The five locations are on Karperstraat, Baarsjesweg, Overtoom, Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat, and on Jan Rebelstraat. While… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/KeVFM1v

Franky Zapata, the French inventor-slash-daredevil who flew across the English Channel on a hoverboard, has launched an ‘airscooter’ to go alongside his jet-powered flyboard and flying deckchair.     Zapata, Franky’s company, unveiled the egg-shaped hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) prototype at the Viva Technology conference in Paris, France. The “personal flying machine” is supposedly compliant with the Federal Aviation Authority Regulations and can be flown without a pilot’s license in the US as an “ultralight aircraft”. Thanks to the fly-by-wire flight controller and plenty of safety sensors, piloting the airscooter should be as easy as flying a drone. Its market… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/BsJTiNU

A piece of space junk being monitored by the European Space Agency as part of a mission to remove space junk has been hit by another piece of space junk. The collision highlights the mounting threat of space debris, and the need to deal with it sooner rather than later. The ESA announced this week that the US’ 18th Space Defense Squadron had detected debris in the vicinity of an object named VESPA, earmarked for removal from orbit. The most likely cause of the debris was the “hypervelocity impact of a small, untracked object” smashing into VESPA, said the ESA.  … This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/jynvNKi

3D eye scans used in eye clinics and high-street opticians could help detect signs of Parkinon’s disease about seven years before clinical symptoms appear, a new study has found. Using eye data to identify health conditions is no novelty in the medical word. But advancements in ocular health monitoring tech and computing power have, in recent years, broadened the scope of diagnoses. A type of 3d scan, known as optical coherence tomography (OCT), has been key to this progress. An OCT scan produces a cross-section of the retina (the back of the eye) in remarkable detail — down to one… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/zkAxyQ1

Across the globe this year, from Greece and Portugal to Canada and Hawaii, wildfires have been burning out of control. And as the world heats up, blazes like these are only predicted to get worse and more frequent. Faced with this imminent threat to lives and infrastructure, authorities are doubling down on tried and tested firefighting techniques. But they are also investing in new, high-tech approaches, pioneered by an emerging segment of ‘firetech’ startups.    Telecoms specialist Dryad Networks, based out of Berlin, is one of them. By tapping AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Dryad hopes to bring down… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/v5ASHEc

The French government is close to passing a new law that threatens the free internet, Mozilla has warned. Named SREN, the bill ostensibly aims to fight online fraud, but its approach has sparked alarm. The concerns centre on a requirement for web browsers to block sites listed on a government-provided list. Critics fear that the plan will turn browsers into censorship tools. Mozilla, which makes the Firefox browser, is among the most vociferous opponents of the bill. According to the non-profit, the rules would be disastrous for the open internet and create a dangerous yardstick for autocrats. “Such a move will… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Mozilla from The Next Web https://ift.tt/byIu410

Job searching can be invigorating, like when you get to imagine yourself sitting behind a new desk or out meeting new clients. But it can also be disappointing if you find exciting roles that you’re not fully qualified for. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t meet 100% of the criteria in a job listing. Whether you want to move up a level in your career or you’re looking to transition into a completely new job field, you won’t get an offer if you don’t apply. Instead of passing up interesting opportunities, you might just need to think outside the box,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/P1Undi6

A cargo ship retrofitted with two huge sails has set out on its maiden voyage, potentially chartering a greener course for the global shipping industry. The ship Pyxis Ocean will test the so-called “WindWings” as it travels across the globe from China to Brazil. American firm Cargill, which is chartering the vessel, said this is the first time sails of this size have been fitted to a cargo ship and tested in the real world. The rigid, foldable sails were designed by British company BAR Technologies, a spin-off from the 2017 UK team of America’s Cup, a world-famous sailing competition… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/euJvHQX

Chip designer Arm has filed for an initial public offering, which is expected to be the biggest IPO of the year. The UK-based company announced on Monday that it’s applied to sell shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange in the US — a move that is a big blow to its home country. Arm is reportedly eyeing a valuation of between $60bn (€55bn) to $70bn (€64bn). The lofty target stems from the ubiquity and efficiency of Arm’s semiconductor architectures — particularly in mobile devices. Arm estimates that more than 99% of the world’s smartphones use Arm-based chips. In recent years, however,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/YxAbtzr

Lamborghini unveiled its first concept for an all-electric grand tourer last week, as it becomes the latest carmaker to hop on the battery-powered bandwagon.      The Lanzador looks strikingly different to the iconic low-slung two-seaters supercars for which Lamborghini is famous. The muscular, angled look coupled with high-ground clearance makes it more of a hulky crossover than a supercar.  The bulk is to accommodate for the large “new generation high-performance” floor-mounted battery packs which will power the car’s two electric motors. A peak output of over one megawatt (equivalent to 1,341 horsepower) will make the Lanzador the most powerful Lambo ever. … This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ImSGoZK

A new satellite designed to analyse X-ray light in space is set to launch on August 26. The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM — pronounced “crism”) brings together Nasa, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Together, they aim to resolve mysteries about the formation of the universe and the structure of spacetime.  The X-rays released in the cosmos’ most energetic explosions and hottest places can reveal some of these secrets. One particularly powerful example involves galaxy clusters — the universe’s biggest building blocks. These groups of galaxies are enveloped by a super-hot gas.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/GwhOsPE

Among the many benefits of artificial intelligence touted by its proponents is the technology’s potential ability to help solve climate change. If this is indeed the case, the recent step changes in AI couldn’t have come any sooner. This summer, evidence has continued to mount that Earth is already transitioning from warming to boiling.  However, as intense as the hype has been around AI over the past months, there is also a lengthy list of concerns accompanying it. Its prospective use in spreading disinformation for one, along with potential discrimination, privacy, and security issues. Furthermore, researchers at the University of… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/d5I3EZt

Thousands of hills across Britain could be transformed into renewable energy batteries thanks to a new ‘high-density’ hydropower system buried underground. Developed by UK startup RheEnergise, the system puts a modern spin on pumped storage hydro, a centuries-old technology which accounts for 95% of today’s energy storage capacity. Pumped storage hydro uses surplus electricity to pump water into an uphill reservoir, later releasing it back downhill over a set of turbines and into the original lake, generating electricity on demand. Except RheEnergise’s hydro system doesn’t use water at all, but a proprietary high-density fluid. Named R-19 it is 2.5 times… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/WzlnUOa

To say that Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund made a killing these past months would be an understatement. The world’s largest investor in the stock market earned 1,501 billion crowns (€131.1bn) in the first half of 2023, and much of it due to the recent boom in AI. To a large extent, the profits came from the fund’s shares in tech companies such as Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Nvidia that all saw a surge from the current AI craze. Meanwhile, the fund is telling the very same companies to get serious about the responsible deployment and risks of artificial intelligence.  “As… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/6daZTjC

The UK has devised a novel solution for a funding gap: more funding. In a bid to strengthen the country’s financial sector, up to £1bn (€1.2bn) has been allocated to a new investment vehicle for fintech firms. Named the FinTech Growth Fund, the scheme will invest predominantly in companies between Series B and pre-IPO, with the aim of scaling them into global leaders. The first capital deployment is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. The fund plans to make an average of four to eight investments every year, each between £10mn (£11.7mn) and £100mn (€117.1mn). All of them will be… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Fintech from The Next Web https://ift.tt/M6zK5rs

In the divided world of semiconductors, Arm is frequently compared to Switzerland. The UK-based business is built on a foundation of neutrality. Rather than build chips, Arm merely designs their blueprints. The company then licences the IP to almost every major semiconductor maker without directly competing against them. That approach — as well as the energy-efficient architectures — has driven Arm’s designs into over 95% of smartphones, alongside cars, computers, and countless other applications. But the independence that underpins Arm has become contentious. Meanwhile, a budding contender has emerged with a promise of true impartiality: the RISC-V Foundation.  The anxieties… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/nwCptMR

Elon Musk said in April that Tesla would prioritise mass production over profit, in an attempt to spur demand and fend off competition — and the bold tactic seems to be working.  Tesla’s Model Y was Europe’s best-selling car in all categories in the first half of 2023. You heard that right: the electric SUV even elbowed out combustion engine cars like the Dacia Sandero and Volkswagen T-Roc to take the top spot, the first time ever for an EV in Europe.  Tesla sold 138,814 Model Y’s between January and June of this year, almost double the volume sold during… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Tesla from The Next Web https://ift.tt/K9WLEhf

Quantum computing holds a lot of promise. The question is when the hyped and indeed potentially revolutionising technology will begin to deliver on it. According to UK quantum startup Phasecraft, it’s not that far off. The secret? Algorithms that can work on today’s “imperfect” quantum computers, without having to wait for the very tricky hardware to draw level.  You could forgive the quantum sceptics for their “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude. To date, no quantum computer or algorithm has been able to solve any problem of actual significance. However, according to Ashley Montanaro, Phasecraft CEO and University… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/3c5wdAh

A team of researchers at King’s College London, has demonstrated that, despite being the more vulnerable group when it comes to cyber abuse, women engage much less than men with security and privacy tech.  Led by Dr Kovila Coopamootoo, lecturer in Computer Science within the Cyber Security Group at King’s College, the research revealed a significant gender gap in the utilisation of tools designed to keep users safe online.  From a survey of 600 people, in near equal proportion men and women, the team concluded that the habits of protecting oneself from cyber harassment and crime differ greatly between the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/qRKXxm5

The UK’s first bank account dedicated to accelerating science and technology is set to launch next month.  Science Card is the brainchild of Daniel Baeriswyl — during his PhD in biomedical engineering at UCL, he cultivated an appreciation of the importance of life-saving scientific research, but also the runway it requires. “I found it interesting that the investment side is so heavy on financial services, but by comparison, life-changing innovation is very underfunded,” said Baeriswyl, who also co-founded machine learning platform Marget Carpet AI, acquired by Blockchain.com last year.      The entrepreneur is looking to bridge the gap between… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/cZyYXV0

Many of us have become accustomed to getting the newest, flashiest versions of our favourite gadgets, leaving yesterday’s tech destined for the dustbin. In 2022, the global economy produced 50 million tonnes of e-waste — equivalent to the weight of 5,000 Eiffel towers.  This take-make-waste habit is unsustainable, and research shows, increasingly unpopular. The second-hand goods market is growing 20 times faster than retail as a whole and is expected to be worth €120bn by 2025.  “Buying refurbished goods has got a huge tailwind at the moment,” James Murdock, Alchemy’s CMO, tells TNW. “More and more people want to do… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Apple from The Next Web https://ift.tt/xG0JeA6

Angel and seed funding in Europe are remarkably resilient to the startup market downturn, according to new research by Pitchbook. In the first half of 2021, noth median deal values and valuations in these stages exhibited positive trends The biggest increase was in median angel deal values, which were up 28.8% compared with 2022. The median angel valuation, meanwhile, was up 10.2%, while the median seed-stage valuation was flat. These figures illustrate the insulated nature of early-stage funding. Angel and seed rounds are typically more removed from public markets, as businesses at those stages are further away from maturity and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/o75ISel

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he believes forthcoming green tech investments will benefit the country’s stagnated economy as a whole. In a ‘summer interview’ with public broadcaster ZDF, the chancellor stated that the government has “moved at an incredible pace” when it comes to shifting legislation around hydrogen production and other renewable energy sources.  Indeed, in June this year, Germany overtook China as the second most attractive country for investing in renewables (the US ranks first). The country has set a target for renewable sources to make up as much as 80% of its energy mix by 2030 (currently at… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ORBS2Yr

Ed Newton-Rex, a creative AI pioneer and VP Audio at Stability AI, says that he’s become the first author to publish a piece of classical music that uses generative AI. The musician and entrepreneur wrote his “I stand in the library,” a piece for the choir and piano, to a poem produced by OpenAI‘s generative AI model GPT3. Written back in 2022, the 15-minute composition has been premiered at the Live from London online classical music festival, performed by a choral group VOCES8. The full version of the performance is available (behind paywall) on the festival’s website, but here’s an… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/saDHr27

The British government’s promise to protect encryption has been pilloried by security experts and libertarians. The dispute stems from a section of the Online Safety Bill. Under the legislation, messaging apps would be forced to provide access to private communications when requested by the regulator Ofcom. Proponents say the measures will combat child abuse, but critics are aghast about the threat to privacy. They fear the plans will facilitate mass surveillance and damage the UK’s tech sector. Signal, Whatsapp, and five other messaging apps have all threatened to leave the country if the law is passed. The British government has… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/51GgApj

The day following US President Biden’s unveiling of an executive order designed to curb investments in certain tech sectors in China has been marked by tentative reactions from both policymakers and the business community.  The UK government stated early on Wednesday that the decision provided “clarity” on the approach of its close ally. Furthermore, it said it would “consider these new measures closely” as it continued to evaluate any potential implications for national security.  Meanwhile, the European Union was only marginally less ambiguous in its response. Later in the afternoon, the Commission said that it was “in close contact” with… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/nkvQAVf

A number of the world’s largest media organisations have assembled to call for greater transparency in regard to the training of generative AI models. In an open letter to policymakers published yesterday, they ask to be involved in creating standards for the use of artificial intelligence, especially as it relates to intellectual property rights.  With generative AI, it is now possible to produce and distribute synthetic content at a previously unimagined pace and scale. The threat, the letter states, is that the irresponsible use of the technology could come to endanger the media ecosystem as a whole by eroding the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/4zEfxPp

Social media influencers are facilitating the trade in counterfeit goods, according to new research by Portsmouth University. After analysing surveys of 2,000 people in the UK, the study team found around 22% of consumers who are active on social media have bought counterfeits endorsed by influencers. The researchers believe it’s the first-ever estimate of its kind. They warn that counterfeiters are exploiting the popularity of influencers to peddle harmful products. “Counterfeit products injure and kill hundreds of thousands of people across the world,”  Dr David Shepherd,  the study’s lead author, said in a statement. “The working conditions in the counterfeit… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ycir2xh

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden unveiled an executive order banning new investments in certain tech sectors in China, citing security risks. The order is set to come into effect next year, and the US will be waiting to see if its closest ally will follow suit. However, for now, the UK says it will consider the measures taken by its transatlantic partner, as it continues to evaluate security implications. “This executive order on outward investment gives important clarity on the US approach,” a spokesperson for the government said in a statement shared with the Financial Times earlier today. “The… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/baLj5oX

The European Space Agency’s next-generation heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, definitely won’t launch until at least 2024, the agency’s director general confirmed this week.  Ariane 6 was first scheduled to launch four years ago. However, the rocket has suffered a series of delays, attributed to technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes.  The ESA said the most recent setback was because it failed to complete a short hot firing test,, mimicking the environment in space to provide data to operators,of Ariane’s engine system in a July attempt. The ESA wants to reattempt the test on August 29, with tentative plans for a… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: SpaceX from The Next Web https://ift.tt/zG8ormQ

While the US and China have dominated the space sector for decades, Europe is carving out a niche for itself: small satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).  One of the most promising startups in this space is Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg, which has just raised €30m from KKR, an American investment firm.   The cash injection will facilitate RFA’s upcoming launch test at the end of this year and help complete its launch pad at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. SaxaVord Spaceport is a planned spaceport to be located on the Lamba Ness peninsula on Unst in the Shetland Islands, the most northerly… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ce8B61n