Greece Bans Social Media for Children Under 15 Starting in 2027 – DTH

Greece Bans Social Media for Children Under 15

Greece’s parliament has passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X starting January 1, 2027. The legislation requires platforms to implement reliable age verification and utilizes state-backed apps to block access on children’s devices. Spearheaded by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis despite opposition from minority parties, the measure enjoys broad support among adults and aims to set a precedent for broader European Union regulations.

Source: Engadget

Global PC Shipments Plunge 21% in Q3

Global PC shipments dropped 21 percent year-over-year in Q3 to 57 million units, driven by rising component costs, AI-induced RAM shortages, and tariffs that have pushed system prices out of reach for many consumers. While major vendors like HP, Dell, and Lenovo suffered steep declines, Apple and ASUS fared relatively better due to budget offerings and market resilience. Analysts expect the downturn to persist through Q4 and into 2027 as consumers delay purchases until component prices normalize.

Source: Engadget

U.S. Treasury Proposes Expanded Restrictions on Foreign Tech Investments

The U.S. Treasury Department proposed a new rule expanding national security restrictions on American investments in high-tech sectors—such as artificial intelligence, supercomputing, biotechnology, and hypersonic systems—in foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea. Codifying and broadening a 2023 executive order and 2025 legislation, the rule aims to limit capital flow into foreign military-relevant capabilities, though it faces criticism and pushback from Chinese officials amid ongoing tech and trade rivalries between the two nations.

Source: AP News

Spotify Introduces QR Code Verification for Family Plans

Spotify confirmed a new QR code verification method for its Family Plan to ensure members reside in the same household as the plan manager. Members have seven days to scan the code from the manager’s phone or risk losing access and being barred from joining another shared plan for 12 months. Co-CEO Alex Norström described the update as a “routine improvement” to close account-sharing loopholes and convert non-eligible users into paying individual subscribers.

Source: TechCrunch

The Browser Company Is Shutting Down Arc on December 22

The Browser Company is officially sunsetting its Arc browser on December 22 to shift its focus entirely to Dia, its new AI-powered web browser. Arc users will lose access to their accounts on that date, but all bookmarks, extensions, passwords, and history can automatically transfer over to Dia, where optional generative AI features offer tools like context-aware chat, tab summaries, and daily briefs.

Source: Engadget

Microsoft’s AI Diagnostic System Outperforms Doctors in Complex Cases

According to a study published in Science, Microsoft’s MAI-DxO diagnostic system outperformed generalist physicians in diagnosing complex medical simulated cases, achieving up to 87% accuracy with advanced models like GPT-5.5. Led by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, the initiative aims to build “medical superintelligence” and address global healthcare shortages by partnering with institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to refine clinical decision-making and advance AI-driven medical record processing.

Source: TechCrunch

Bluesky Adds iPad Support and Profile Links

Bluesky has officially launched its latest feature update, bringing dedicated beta support for iPads to significantly enhance usability, layout optimization, and general performance on Apple tablets. Alongside tablet optimizations, the platform has introduced a dedicated “Links” section within profile settings. This new feature empowers creators, public figures, and general users to display external platforms directly on their profiles, making it substantially easier to showcase personal websites, online portfolios, or monetization pages such as Patreon and Ko-fi.

Source: Engadget

AI-Discovered Software Bugs Could Trigger New Cybersecurity Disruptions

AI advances are rapidly exposing software vulnerabilities, accelerating exploit weaponization, and disrupting critical infrastructure. PHP weakness outages illustrate how AI automated scanning forces rapid defensive patching before mass exploitation. While experts debate the near-term risk of increased attacks, many expect resolving these hidden flaws to improve long-term digital security.

Source: Reuters

OpenAI Nears $30 Billion Funding Round at $1.25 Trillion Valuation

OpenAI is closing in on a funding round of up to $30 billion led by UAE investors and Coatue, which could value the company at $1.25 trillion as a bridge toward an expected 2027 IPO, while rival Anthropic is similarly preparing for a massive public offering after confidential SEC filings from both AI leaders.

Source: CNBC

YouTube Hits Record 15.8% Share of TV Viewing

Total TV usage dropped 4.4% in August 2026, cccording to Nielsen, following a World Cup-fueled surge, though streaming and cable expanded their overall viewing shares to 49.6% and 18.9% respectively. YouTube maintained its overall leadership as top media distributor with a record 15.8% share, driven by growth among older adults, while Disney, Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Paramount followed behind.

Source: TheWrap