This is the ODPA's monthly round-up of data-related developments from around the world.
On 2 February 2024, the UK House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee (HoL) published its report on large language models (LLMs) and generative AI:
House of Lords - Large language models and generative AI - Communications and Digital Committee (parliament.uk)
On 5 February 2024, the Alan Turing Institute launched the Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory in partnership with UNESCO and the International Telecommunication Union. The Observatory seeks to promote the operationalisation of AI ethics and governance by bringing together the latest governance initiatives, expert insights and good practices from a diverse range of stakeholders and contexts:
Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory | Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory (unesco.org)
On 6 February 2024, the Huffington Post reported that a Hong-Kong based company had lost millions after an employee was tricked by an Ai-generated deepfake of the company’s chief financial officer:
Deepfake Video Conference Call Costs Company Millions | HuffPost UK World News (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
On 6 February 2024, the UK government published its response to the consultation on AI regulation: AI regulation:
AI regulation: a pro-innovation approach – policy proposals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
On 7 February 2024, the day after Safer Internet Day shone a light on the impact of social media platforms on the well-being of children and young people, the Guardian reported on a mental health crisis among children in the UK:
Children’s emergency mental health referrals in England soar by 53% | Mental health | The Guardian
On 14 February 2024, the mayor of New York City launched a lawsuit against social media companies on the grounds that they are fueling a mental health crisis:
Mayor Adams Announces Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies Fueling Nationwide Youth Mental Health | City of New York (nyc.gov)
On 16 February 2024, the Verge reported that a number of nation-backed groups were starting to use large language models to help with research, scripting and phishing emails. It said the Strontium group, linked to Russian military intelligence, has been using LLMs “to understand satellite communication protocols, radar imaging technologies, and specific technical parameters."
Microsoft and OpenAI say hackers are using ChatGPT to improve cyberattacks - The Verge
On 16 February 2024, a judge gave the go-ahead to a mass legal action against Facebook owner Meta, potentially worth £3bn:
Facebook £3bn legal action given go-ahead in London - BBC News
On 16 February 2024, the BBC reported on how bereaved parents joined forces to campaign for online safety. Ian lost his 14-year-old daughter Molly after she took her own life six years ago, and Esther's daughter Brianna was murdered one year ago this week. While the circumstances of their children's deaths were different, the one theme running through both is social media, Esther and Ian say:
Brianna Ghey's mother and Molly Russell's father join forces to combat online harm - BBC News
On 16 February 2024, Lexology published a blog exploring the House of Lords report on large language models (LLMs) and generative AI:
Who’s been regulating my AI?: Goldilocks and the House of Lords Report on LLMs and Generative AI - Lexology
On 18 February 2024, UK Ministers confirmed plans to ban the use of mobile phones in English schools, releasing guidance for headteachers that some unions said included practices that had already been widely adopted:
Ministers confirm plan to ban use of mobile phones in schools in England | Schools | The Guardian
On 20 February 2024, the European Union announced plans to investigate whether ByteDance's TikTok breached online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising, an official said on Monday, putting the social media platform at risk of a hefty fine:
EU opens formal investigation into TikTok over possible online content breaches | Reuters
On 29 February 2024, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) found that the operator behind Pornhub and other popular pornographic sites contravened Canadian privacy law by enabling intimate images to be shared on its websites without the direct knowledge or consent of everyone depicted: News release: Pornhub operator failed to obtain meaningful consent before allowing adult content to be posted on its websites - Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
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