AP Technology SummaryBrief at 3:43 p. m. EDT
YouTube joins Meta in appealing a jury verdict that faulted them for users' social media addictionLOS ANGELES (AP) — YouTube has appealed a landmark social media addiction lawsuit verdict in Los Angeles. The. . .
YouTube joins Meta in appealing a jury verdict that faulted them for users' social media addictionLOS ANGELES (AP) — YouTube has appealed a landmark social media addiction lawsuit verdict in Los Angeles. The jury found YouTube and Meta negligent in March in a case involving a young woman who claimed social media addiction worsened her mental health. Jurors awarded the woman $6 million in total damages after the five-week trial concluded. YouTube's lawyers filed the appeal days after Meta had already filed its own appeal. Both defendants had filed post-trial motions asking the judge to toss out the jury’s verdict and for a new trial. The judge denied those motions in early June. Amazon will launch its satellite internet in South Africa, seemingly beating Musk in his homelandCAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Amazon says that the technology company will launch its new satellite internet service Amazon Leo in South Africa in 2027. That appears to put the company owned by Jeff Bezos ahead of Elon Musk’s rival Starlink to claim business in Africa’s most advanced economy. South Africa is also Musk's homeland. Amazon said Wednesday that it would partner with South African internet provider Herotel in its first agreement to provide satellite internet in Africa. Amazon’s announcement follows Musk’s bitter criticism of his country of birth. The world’s richest man has said South African affirmative action regulations have prevented him from launching Starlink there because he's white. 26 Meta employees sue, alleging AI-driven layoff picks hit workers on medical and parental leaveA group of 26 Meta employees has sued the company, claiming it used artificial intelligence systems that disproportionately targeted those on medical or family leave for layoffs. Meta laid off 8. 000 employees, or about 10% of its workforce, in May. The lawsuit filed late Monday in federal court in Oakland, California, claims the company used internal AI systems, keystroke and activity-monitoring data, AI token-usage dashboards and other methods to determine who would be laid off. The lawsuit says that people on protected medical or family leave were disproportionately selected for layoffs. New York won't build big data centers for a year as it weighs energy and climate risksNEW YORK (AP) — New York is blocking new large data centers that fuel artificial intelligence for up to a year to protect the environment and energy grid. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Tuesday for the country's first statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers. These facilities require massive amounts of energy and water to cool thousands of servers. The governor's order pauses state permitting and directs regulators to create standards addressing environmental impacts and energy demand. Tech companies argue this could hurt job growth and cede ground to China in AI development. The decision also carries political significance for Hochul's reelection campaign and the state's congressional races. Trump addresses a defense technology gathering as the Iran war has reduced US weapon stocksCARLISLE, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump has begun addressing a defense summit at the U. S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. He's highlighting major announced investments by top firms in battlefield technology. Wednesday's summit is organized by Republican Sen. David McCormick and features defense and intelligence officials and top business leaders in the field of technology. Trump has been a frequent visitor to Pennsylvania, a critical swing state. The summit comes as U. S. military contractors face challenges replenishing stockpiles of key missiles. Stocks have dwindled due to strikes on Iran, raising concerns about future conflicts. Trump wants a historic $1. 5 trillion defense budget proposal for 2027, but it has stalled in Congress. UK unveils plans for social media curfew for older teens - but it's voluntaryLONDON (AP) — The British government has announced plans for a six-hour social media curfew from midnight for 16- and 17-year-olds. They can override this default setting. On Wednesday, the Labour government also said features like autoplay videos will be switched off by default for older teenagers. This follows a recent social media ban for under-16s. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan says a pilot program showed reduced social media usage and improved sleep. Critics argue the curfew may not be effective. A leading children's charity has called for stronger measures to address addictive design features. Baltics and Poland warn Russia could launch limited military or hybrid provocation against NATOVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania's president says intelligence suggests Russia is planning attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states or Poland. Authorities are monitoring risks to energy and transport systems. The intelligence doesn't specify locations or timing. Russia dismisses the claims as excuses for NATO's military buildup. Latvia's president also warned on Wednesday that Russia might provoke NATO's eastern flank as Ukraine pressures Moscow. The Baltic states and Poland have strengthened security around key infrastructure in response to the threat. Poland has issued similar warnings and is preparing for various scenarios. Lithuania and Poland have deployed additional troops to protect infrastructure. Elon Musk likely broke the law by promising voters $1 million payouts, Wisconsin board saysMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission has found probable cause that billionaire Elon Musk broke state law when he promised to hand out $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election. The commission last week referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s office. Prosecutors can choose to bring criminal charges over violating the state law against election bribery. The district attorney's office has 40 days to report back to the commission. Musk was deeply involved in the race in battleground Wisconsin, spending at least $20 million on the candidate backed by Republicans, who lost by 10 percentage points. EU chief weighs age restrictions for children using social mediaBRUSSELS (AP) — A top European Union official is calling for limits on children using social media. A special EU panel recommended on Monday restricting access for kids under 13 until tech companies prove their platforms are safe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concerns about social media's impact on young brains. She suggested phased access for different age ranges, comparing it to age restrictions for driving or alcohol use. The panel's report emphasizes that the burden of proof for safety should be on social media platforms. It suggests other possible restrictions for children over 13. Von der Leyen's proposals carry significant influence within the 27-nation EU. Hundreds of economists say 'we must act now' on AI’s economic impact and job displacement risksSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hundreds of economists urge immediate action to address AI's potential impact on the economy. In an open letter released Monday, they warn that AI could transform the economy and displace many jobs. The statement, signed by top economists, computer scientists, and tech executives, highlights the potential for AI to become radically more powerful in the next decade. Organized by Stanford University's digital economy lab, the letter compares this transformation to the Industrial Revolution but on a much shorter timeline. It calls for leaders to create incentives and guardrails to ensure AI benefits society. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.