Medical clinics in the UK have been accused of boosting their online profiles with fake Google reviews, according to a BBC investigation. Consumer groups are calling for action, stating that fake reviews are a significant and persistent issue. They have urged internet firms to do more to remove these reviews and fine the companies responsible. Consumer advocacy group Which? has warned that relying on fake reviews can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to choosing a treatment clinic. The UK government has pledged to strengthen consumer protection laws, while Google has stated that it actively removes fake reviews. The problem of fake reviews extends beyond Google and has been found on platforms like Amazon, Trustpilot, and the App Store.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies in the UK are lobbying the government to relax surveillance laws that they claim restrict their ability to train artificial intelligence (AI) models using large amounts of personal data. GCHQ, MI6, and MI5 argue that the current laws are burdensome and are proposing changes to facilitate the use of certain types of data. However, privacy experts and civil liberties groups have expressed concerns about potential privacy infringements, particularly in light of revelations made by Edward Snowden in 2016 regarding intrusive state surveillance. The proposals would roll back some of the legal protections introduced following Snowden’s disclosures.
In other news, Google is reportedly working on enhancing its virtual personal assistant software, Google Assistant, by incorporating new generative AI features similar to those found in chatbots like Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The tech giant has begun developing the next version of Google Assistant, starting with the mobile version. The company is also reorganizing its Assistant team, with some job roles expected to be eliminated.
The UK government is promoting the use of hydrogen-powered transport in the North East and has announced winners of a £8 million competition to support this initiative. The projects aim to develop new technologies that harness hydrogen fuel to reduce carbon emissions in transportation. One of the winning projects, led by ULEMCo, will focus on creating hydrogen-powered ground-based support vehicles for airports. The competition seeks to encourage further innovation in the field and attract more businesses to invest in hydrogen-powered transportation.
Lastly, lithium is described as the cornerstone of the 21st century due to its extensive use in various devices and vehicles. While lithium batteries are considered safe when used correctly, incidents can occur if they are damaged or misused, leading to uncontrolled and dangerous lithium fires. According to London Fire Brigade’s deputy commissioner Dom Ellis, there has been a 60% increase in lithium fires compared to the previous year. This emerging hazard poses a grave risk to individuals in close proximity to such fires.
As technology advances and new challenges arise, it is essential for companies, governments, and regulators to address these issues to protect consumers and ensure a safer and more sustainable future.
