Apple reportedly faces €500m fine from EU over music streaming access

Brussels to issue levy after Spotify complained about block on telling users about cheaper alternatives to app store, according to FT

When your food comes via a delivery app, the exploitation is baked right in

Delivery services are only viable if someone is underpaid. Little wonder riders went on strike, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

Amount of fraud in UK more than doubled to £2.3bn in 2023, report finds

Accounting firm BDO also warns of future impact of fraudsters using artificial intelligence to rip off customers

The Crisis of Narration by Byung-Chul Han review – how big tech altered the narrative

From Instagram to health apps, the modern world no longer allows for rich and complex storytelling argues the philosopher in an entertaining polemic that’s short on humility

Does spam email actually work?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

‘Out of control’: 60% of Australian parents and carers surveyed say social media is their biggest concern for kids

Experts say algorithm-based feeds are damaging young people’s interpersonal skills and contributing to anxiety and depression

Can AI porn be ethical?

As demand for responsive sexbots grows, some developers are trying to thread the needle between fully neutered and fully uncensored AI

The perfect storm for small talk? Weather forecasters aim at long-range accuracy

In the 70s, weather forecasts were accurate just one or two days ahead. Now a specialist university project at Reading is trying to get them right a month into the future

Want to come up with a winning election ad campaign? Go with the evidence, not your gut

New research reveals different political ads work in different times and different places

BBC disinformation reporter Marianna Spring: ‘My approach to fear is to try to make sense of it’

The broadcaster on dealing with abuse, the power of the Barbie movie, and watching Spurs with her dad

Here’s to hanging out with friends, a splendidly pointless pastime we’re at risk of losing

The social pressure to go out is off, but has it been replaced by scrolling alone in our bedrooms?

Astonishing returns, cult overtones and a ‘perfect virtual world’. How the HyperVerse scheme caught fire online

Bizarre videos promoted the alleged Ponzi scheme and senior promoters lived the high life, but for thousands around the world the reality was a huge financial loss

‘There are no serious safeguards’: can 23andMe be trusted with our DNA?

The at-home genetic testing company is dealing with financial woes and a data breach. What does that mean for customers?

OpenAI boss Sam Altman wants $7tn. For all our sakes, pray he doesn’t get it

The man behind ChatGPT is wooing the UAE to invest in energy-hungry AI. But if it turns out his tech can’t fix the world, he’s got his escape plan

No focus, no fights, and a bad back – 16 ways technology has ruined my life

While some technological advances are nothing short of miraculous, there are plenty of downsides, too …