New tools will allow parents to stop teenagers accessing inappropriate games and experiences via Meta’s virtual reality (VR) headset. Questions have been raised about whether it was doing enough to protect children from inappropriate content. Meta-owned Instagram has also rolled out further parental controls, the plans for which were revealed last year. It comes as […]
Monthly Archives: March 2022
Ukraine conflict: Biden brands Putin a ‘war criminal’
US President Joe Biden has labelled Russian leader Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” in a move likely to escalate diplomatic tensions even further. Mr Biden delivered the remark off-the-cuff in response to a reporter’s question at the White House. It is the first time he has used such language to condemn President Putin, and the […]
Germany warns against Russian anti-virus use
Germany’s cyber-security authority has warned against using anti-virus software from Russian headquartered company Kaspersky. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) issued the statement in light of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian information-technology businesses could be spied on or forced to launch cyber-attacks, it said. Kaspersky told BBC News the warning had been “made on […]
War in Ukraine: Instagram banned in Russia over ‘calls to violence’
Russia’s state media watchdog Roskomnadzor says Instagram will be blocked in the country due to “calls for violence” against Russian soldiers. Instagram owner Meta said it would let its users in some countries call for violence against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian soldiers. It will temporarily allow some violent posts such as “death to […]
Huawei board members resign over silence on Ukraine
Two non-executive directors of Huawei UK have resigned over the company’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine. The BBC understands Sir Andrew Cahn and Sir Ken Olisa felt the firm’s failure to quickly condemn the Russian invasion had made their positions untenable. Huawei UK thanked both men for their “invaluable guidance”. Asked by BBC News […]
Telegram founder commits to Ukraine user privacy
The billionaire Russian-born co-founder of messaging app Telegram has told Ukrainian users their data is safe. In a Telegram post, Pavel Durov, who lives in Dubai, wrote: “I stand for our users no matter what. Their right to privacy is sacred – now more than ever.” Telegram was Ukraine’s most popular messaging app – the […]
War in Ukraine: Russia says it may cut gas supplies if oil ban goes ahead
Russia has said it may close its main gas pipeline to Germany if the West goes ahead with a ban on Russian oil. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said a “rejection of Russian oil would lead to catastrophic consequences for the global market”, causing prices to more than double to $300 a barrel. The US […]
TikTok limits services as Netflix pulls out of Russia
Video-sharing site TikTok and streaming giant Netflix have limited and cut their services respectively in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. TikTok said it had suspended live streaming and new content from its platform as it assesses tough new laws to crack down on “fake news” about Russia’s armed forces. Netflix said it was pulling […]
Microsoft stops selling products in Russia
Microsoft has stopped selling its products and services in Russia, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Major tech companies including Apple and Dell have made similar decisions. Microsoft said it had paused other aspects of its business in the country to comply with government sanctions. It added that it was providing cyber-security support to Ukraine […]
Bafta Games Awards: Returnal and It Takes Two lead nominations
It Takes Two, a co-operative game about a family break-up, and action title Returnal lead the way in the race for this year’s Bafta Games Awards. They have each been nominated for eight of the famous golden masks. Bafta has been recognising the cultural impact of games since 2004 and the awards are arguably the […]