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EU targeting Snapchat over child safety

LONDON — European Union regulators are investigating Snapchat over concerns the platform isn’t doing enough to protect kids and exposing them to risks such as increased vulnerability to child predators or recruitment by criminals. The 27-nation EU’s executive Commission said Thursday it was opening a formal investigation into Snapchat under the bloc’s sweeping rule book known as the Digital Services Act that’s designed to protect internet users. The European Commission said that Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 to use the platform but it suspected that the ...

Wall Street drops again to close 5th straight losing week

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks deepened their drops Friday as Wall Street finished off a fifth straight losing week, its longest such streak in nearly four years. The S&P 500 fell 1.7% to close its worst week since the war with Iran began. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 793 points, or 1.7%, and fell more than 10% from its record set last month, while the Nasdaq composite sank 2.1%. The losses were a break from Wall Street’s pattern this week, where the U.S. stock market flip-flopped from gains to losses each day as hopes rose and fell about a possible end to the war. Moments ...

Study: AI giving bad advice to flatter users

Artificial intelligence chatbots are so prone to flattering and validating their human users that they are giving bad advice that can damage relationships and reinforce harmful behaviors, according to a new study that explores the dangers of AI telling people what they want to hear. The study, published Thursday in the journal Science, tested 11 leading AI systems and found they all showed varying degrees of sycophancy — behavior that was overly agreeable and affirming. The problem is not just that they dispense inappropriate advice but that people trust and prefer AI more when the ...

Workplace

New hires and promotions Jason Graham has been named as Bedford County’s new Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, a position created through a Circuit Rider grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The position reflects Bedford County’s commitment to strengthening outdoor recreation opportunities, enhancing trail connectivity, and leveraging the region’s natural assets to support quality of life, workforce attraction and economic growth. In his role, Graham will focus on strengthening trail connectivity, supporting recreation initiatives and ...

Ticker: Wall Street falls to worst drop since Iran war

U.S. stocks had their worst day since the war with Iran started, as doubt took over again from hope on Wall Street about a possible end to the conflict. The S&P 500 fell 1.7% Thursday. The index is back on track for a fifth straight losing week, which would be the longest such losing streak in nearly four years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 2.4%. Oil prices rose more than 4%, and Treasury yields climbed in the bond market. Mortgages could be backed by crypto Prospective homebuyers who have invested in certain cryptocurrencies will be able ...