The Download: failed social media bans, and extending pets’ lives
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Kids are outsmarting social media bans. That’s not a problem we need to solve. —Michal Luria, Aliya Bhatia, and Danah Boyd Social media bans are stacking up. In July, France joined…
This daily tech news briefing covers various developments across different sectors. One key story focuses on the challenges faced by children attempting to bypass social media bans. Countries like France, Australia, the UK, and the EU have implemented age restrictions on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and others, but these measures have proven to be easily circumvented. The article suggests alternative approaches to ensure children's safety online.
Another significant development is in the field of pet life extension. Advances in biotechnology now offer various options for prolonging the years spent with pets, including drugs, cloning, and cryonics. While these possibilities present promising avenues, the article raises questions about the ethical implications and potential drawbacks of such interventions.
In terms of climate technology, the briefing highlights Form Energy as one of the top 10 companies to watch in 2026. The company specializes in iron batteries, which offer a cheaper alternative to existing battery technologies. Form Energy's batteries can store energy for 100 hours using a process called "reversible rusting," where iron turns into rust during discharge and back to iron during charging.
This innovation aims to address the need for long-term energy storage as renewable power sources like wind and solar grow in popularity.
The article also covers other noteworthy stories, such as the growing legal liabilities facing AI companies due to the damage their products cause. The Federal Trade Commission has issued subpoenas to OpenAI and Anthropic, and there are ongoing concerns about AI hacks and the lack of remediation efforts by these companies. Additionally, the rise of AI-generated deepfakes is becoming increasingly prevalent, with celebrities' likenesses being used to sell products without their consent.
Lastly, the briefing touches on geopolitical events, such as the first instance of a Russian drone entering NATO waters, which has raised concerns about defense measures. Market reactions to AI-related news have also been significant, with AI firms experiencing fluctuations in value and employees of AI companies facing limitations on their usage.
These diverse stories offer a snapshot of current technological trends and developments, spanning areas from child online safety to pet longevity, climate tech innovation, AI ethics, and geopolitical tensions.
Written by urgent.news from MIT Technology Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
