The EU is preparing to take action against the spread of deepfakes and fake accounts by ordering social media companies to act or risk hefty fines.
Alphabet's Google, Facebook/Meta, Twitter, and other technology companies will be required to show they are taking measures to stamp out fake news on their platforms under an updated EU code of practice, according to a document from Brussels seen by Reuters.
The changes are expected to be announced on Thursday, when the European Commission publishes an update to the code introduced in 2018 as a voluntary programme. It will not become a co-regulation scheme, with responsibility shared between the regulators and signatories.
The updated rules set out examples of manipulative behaviour such as deepfakes and fake accounts which the signatories are obliged to tackle.
Deepfakes are videos or photos in which a person is replaced with someone else’s likeness using artificial intelligence technology. The synthetic media has caused alarm around the world, particularly when used in a political context.
Many deepfakes are pornographic, with the faces of female celebrities routinely used by makers. Audio can also be deepfaked to create “voice skins” or “voice clones”, a practice which causes concern among authorities particularly when used to represent a political figure.
“Relevant signatories will adopt, reinforce and implement clear policies regarding impermissible manipulative behaviour and practices on their services, based on the latest evidence on the conduct and tactics, techniques and procedures employed by malicious actors,” the EU document read.
The code will also be linked to new EU rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) agreed by the 27-member bloc this year which has a section on combating disinformation.
In effect, companies which fail to meet their obligations under the code risk fines of as much as 6 per cent of their global turnover based on DSA rules. They have six months to put the measures into effect once they have signed up to the code.
Signatories will also have to take measures to tackle advertising containing disinformation and provide more transparency on political advertising.
“The DSA provides a legal backbone to the Code of Practice against disinformation — including heavy dissuasive sanctions,” EU industry chief Thierry Breton, who is leading the EU's efforts against disinformation, said.
EC Vice President Vera Jourova said Russia's invasion of Ukraine was behind some of the changes in the code.
“Once the code is operational, we will be better prepared to address disinformation, also coming from Russia,” she said in a statement.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
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