Meta Prepares Broader Rollout of Age Verification Tool to Meet New Compliance Standards

Meta is preparing to expand its video selfie verification tool as governments increase pressure on platforms to restrict access based on user age. This step follows recent updates to Facebook’s support page, where the platform now states that people trying to access age-limited features may be asked to prove their age.

Verification Using ID or Selfie

Anyone who appears underage and tries to access content for adults could be prompted to submit additional information. Facebook offers two options: upload a government-issued ID or take a video selfie. The image from the selfie is sent to an external company that estimates the user’s age. This estimate is used to confirm eligibility and does not involve personal identification.

Meta has worked with an age verification provider called Yoti in earlier trials. Video selfies were already available in some regions, but the company is now taking steps to expand the process across more countries. This aligns with new legal requirements focused on content access controls.

Regulations in Multiple Countries

In the United Kingdom, a new safety law requires platforms to stop children from viewing inappropriate material. Other countries are moving in the same direction. Australia is close to approving similar rules. France, Denmark, and Greece are backing stronger enforcement policies that raise the minimum digital access age.

Meta issued a public statement supporting a shared approach to age rules across the European Union. The proposal would introduce a common threshold, likely starting at age 15, with the possibility of raising it to 16 depending on further review.

Broader Impact on Platforms

The changes may reduce the number of underage users who can interact with adult content. Meta appears to be preparing systems that meet this expectation. By using verified images and external checks, the company is signaling that it is building tools for compliance.

If the process proves accurate, more countries could require similar checks. Larger companies may be able to handle these systems more easily. Smaller platforms or those without similar infrastructure could face challenges. Enforcement may include penalties for non-compliance.

Meta’s approach shows a shift toward stricter age controls as part of global platform policy changes. The tools being tested may become part of a wider standard that applies across regions.

While adding age verification tools like video selfies may help social platforms comply with child safety regulations, relying on AI for this process has raised concerns. Some users have expressed discomfort and distrust toward Meta’s video selfie system, citing issues ranging from lack of camera access to privacy fears. Comments on a Digital Information World blog post reflect frustration from users who feel excluded due to disability, illness, or personal beliefs. Several users reported quitting the platform entirely after being asked for a video selfie, describing the requirement as intrusive, discriminatory, or technically unfeasible.

Read next: Google Search Adds AI Calling Feature for Local Business Queries
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Google Search Adds AI Calling Feature for Local Business Queries

Google has launched a new AI feature inside its search results that can call local businesses on behalf of users. The tool is designed to collect practical details such as pricing, opening hours, or booking availability.

When users search for nearby services like pet grooming or dry cleaning, they may now see a button labeled “Have AI check pricing.” Tapping the button allows the system to place one or more calls, retrieve the requested information, and return the results within the search page.

Feature Built on Earlier Voice System

The voice tool builds on earlier technology known as Duplex, which Google introduced in 2018. That version was tied to Google Assistant and could place calls for specific tasks like restaurant bookings. In this update, the system has been moved into Search directly. The AI speaks in a clear tone and gathers the business response without user involvement. All calls are recorded for quality review and only made during typical business hours.

Business Opt-Out and Call Limits

Google has provided a way for businesses to opt out of receiving these automated calls. Owners can make the change in their Google Business Profile. During a call, a business can also ask the system not to contact them again. The feature is currently rolling out across most of the United States. It is not available in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, or Nebraska due to local restrictions.

Available to Subscribers with Extra Features

While the basic version is reaching regular users, Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers receive higher usage limits. These paid tiers also unlock access to new tools being tested under AI Mode. One of them is Gemini 2.5 Pro, which is a more advanced model used for tasks like maths, code generation, and reasoning-based queries. Users can switch to Gemini 2.5 Pro using a dropdown option in Search. By default, Search still uses a general-purpose AI model for everyday questions.

Deeper Search and Research Tools

Another premium feature being rolled out is Deep Search. This tool helps users conduct extended research by scanning hundreds of sources, comparing information, and presenting a summarised output. It is designed for situations where users need longer or more detailed answers, such as planning a major purchase or analysing financial options. Deep Search is only available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers who have opted into the AI Mode experiment through Google Labs.

Part of a Broader AI Push in Search

The voice-calling function is just one part of Google’s broader effort to expand AI in Search. The company is adding tools that reduce manual steps, automate simple interactions, and return richer results inside the same page. While some features are still restricted to paying users, the overall plan is to gradually introduce smarter and more capable services to more people.

Read next: Survey Finds Workers Rely on AI Even When Employers Provide No Formal Policy
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Survey Finds Workers Rely on AI Even When Employers Provide No Formal Policy

A new survey of U.S. professionals reveals that 20 percent are using artificial intelligence tools at work without their employer’s knowledge or formal permission. Despite unclear policies in many workplaces, AI appears to be gaining steady ground among employees in marketing, sales, and operations.

AI Use Drives Confidence and Efficiency

Among those surveyed, 77 percent said using AI tools regularly helps them feel more confident in the quality of their work. Seventy-five percent believe AI enhances their company’s ability to compete with larger or more established firms.

The poll, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by ActiveCampaign, gathered input from 1,000 business owners, marketers, and sales professionals across the U.S. Respondents said they were using AI most commonly in marketing roles, with 52 percent applying it to creative planning, 48 percent using it during execution, and 44 percent using it to test or measure effectiveness.

Beyond marketing, AI was being used for customer service (31 percent), operations and people management (28 percent), and product-related tasks (25 percent).

Discomfort and Policy Gaps Still Limit Broader Adoption

Although almost half of respondents (48 percent) use AI tools at work on a daily basis, a significant portion remains cautious. Seventeen percent reported using AI less than once per month, and 9 percent said they do not use it at all in their official duties.

The hesitation appears rooted in several concerns. One in five feared the quality of AI output may fall short, while 21 percent of employees expressed worry about losing their jobs to automation. Other concerns involved potential damage to customer trust (19 percent) and negative feedback from peers or clients (17 percent).

In total, 57 percent of participants said they had either held negative views of AI themselves or heard critical opinions from others. Some said criticism came from social media (20 percent), while others cited direct feedback from clients (18 percent). One in five admitted they had been personally skeptical of AI.

Personal Use Often Comes First

The study found that many people began using AI tools outside of work. Among those who used AI in both personal and professional contexts, 66 percent started at home first. On average, it took users six weeks to understand how to use the tools in personal tasks, with a similar learning period applying to work-related use.

Clear Productivity Gains Reported

Respondents said AI helped them reclaim time and cut costs once they became familiar with the tools. In a typical week, AI use saved them 13 hours. Those who used AI daily reported 14 hours saved, while those using it infrequently saved around 6 hours.

Operational savings followed a similar pattern. On average, AI tools saved respondents $4,739 per month. For daily users, that figure rose to $5,038. For those who used AI less than once a month, average savings dropped to $2,237.

Some said AI integration made them more effective in managing workloads. Thirty-nine percent said it improved their task and resource efficiency. Another 29 percent said it increased their confidence in output quality, and 37 percent reported feeling more creative in how they approached marketing tasks.

Marketing, Creative, and Data Teams See Strongest Results

AI appears to deliver the most benefit in roles tied to strategy, content, and analysis. Eighty-two percent said it helped with marketing, 78 percent said it supported design and creative tasks, and 75 percent found it useful in analytics.

Read next: Experts Warn AI Could Stop Explaining Its Decisions, Making Risks Harder to Catch

by Web Desk via Digital Information World

OpenAI Adds Visual Styles to ChatGPT, Works Quietly on New AI Browser ‘Aura’

OpenAI is adding new tools to ChatGPT while moving forward with a browser project known internally as “Aura.” The latest updates reflect steady efforts to extend the platform’s features without drawing much attention to individual rollouts.

Image Styles Now Built Into ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s image generation tool now includes built-in visual styles. This lets users select a preferred look, like Retro Cartoon, Anime or Photo Shoot, without having to write detailed prompts. People can upload a photo, choose a preset, and get an image that closely matches that theme.

The feature is designed to save time and reduce guesswork. Before this change, users often had to write long, structured prompts to create art that looked the way they wanted. Even then, the results could vary. The new style picker removes some of that friction.

The option is available in the ChatGPT interface and can be used without any subscription or payment. For example, someone trying to create an anime version of a portrait can now do so in a few clicks. The image output typically reflects the selected theme in form and tone, whether it’s stylized, soft, or more detailed.

‘Aura’ Browser Appears in Testing

Alongside upgrades inside ChatGPT, OpenAI is also testing a browser codenamed “Aura”, as spotted by Tibor Blaho. Traces of the browser have turned up in the app’s code. Labels like “is Aura” and “Aura Sidebar” point to possible browser functions or early user interface elements.

OpenAI has not made a public announcement about the project. However, earlier reports described a Chromium-based browser that would carry AI-assisted features. This would place OpenAI in a similar space as Perplexity, which is already offering AI-driven web browsing.

The browser seems to be in development across desktop and mobile platforms. Since Chromium can run on multiple systems, OpenAI’s tool may be designed for broad compatibility from the start. A few speculative reports have even mentioned the company’s interest in buying an existing browser if legal shifts affect the browser market. No clear steps have been taken on that front.

Other Tools in the Pipeline

OpenAI is also building GPT-5, its next major model. This version is expected to combine lessons from earlier versions, though technical details are still under wraps.

Some internal experiments are focusing on computer agents that could support more complex tasks inside ChatGPT. These tools may help break down or guide user inputs step by step, though public access has not begun.

Steady Rollout, Broader Aims

By adding simple tools like style selectors and working on deeper features like browsers and agents, OpenAI appears to be widening ChatGPT’s role. The upgrades are arriving quietly, but each one brings a small shift in how users interact with the system.

For now, users can expect easier ways to create visuals and, eventually, more AI-driven support in how they browse, search, or work across the web.

Read next: Google-Led Study Finds Language Models Struggle With Confidence When Challenged

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

WeTransfer Adjusts Terms After User Pushback Over AI Clause

WeTransfer has revised a section of its terms of service following criticism from users who believed the company might use uploaded files to train artificial intelligence systems. The updated language, which goes into effect on August 8, led to confusion over whether customer data could be processed by machine learning tools.

The controversy began after users noted that the terms mentioned using content to improve machine learning models involved in content moderation. Some interpreted this as a signal that WeTransfer intended to use their files in AI development or share them with third parties, particularly AI firms. Reactions were especially strong among professionals in creative fields, including those who rely on the platform to transfer artwork, media projects, and other proprietary material.

In response, WeTransfer confirmed that no customer files are processed by machine learning systems or used in any AI-related workflows. The company also stated that no data is shared or sold to outside parties. It clarified that the clause had originally been introduced to cover the future possibility of employing AI to support automated moderation, but no such system had been implemented. The company later acknowledged that the language had caused unnecessary concern and decided to remove references to machine learning altogether.

• Also read: How to Read a Privacy Policy Without Getting Lost, and What to Look For Before You Tap "Accept"

The revised clause now grants WeTransfer a license to use customer content strictly for maintaining and improving the service, in line with its privacy and cookie policies. This change, the company explained, was intended to improve clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

The situation follows a similar incident involving Dropbox in late 2023, when that company also had to assure users it was not applying AI to their stored data. These repeated misunderstandings suggest persistent concern around how digital platforms handle personal files in the context of emerging AI practices.

Legal experts have warned that even subtle changes in service agreements can expose users to risks, especially when companies operate in data-intensive industries. Privacy advocates often point to the potential for platforms to repurpose stored content under broad or ambiguous clauses, particularly as interest in machine learning continues to grow.

The episode has underscored the need for online services to use precise, accessible language in their policies. For users deeply embedded in such platforms, sudden changes to data terms can leave them without practical alternatives, even if they disagree with the new conditions.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.

Read next: Gen Z Quietly Redefines Phone Etiquette, Leaving Generational Gaps at the Dial Tone
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Gen Z Quietly Redefines Phone Etiquette, Leaving Generational Gaps at the Dial Tone

A gradual shift in phone behavior among Generation Z, whose members are more accustomed to touchscreens than dial tones, has left many older users puzzled as they notice a growing pattern where younger people, upon answering a call, remain silent and wait for the caller to speak first, rejecting the traditional impulse to open with a simple “hello” or other verbal greeting.

This emerging habit gained public attention when a recruiter shared an observation on social media, noting that during scheduled calls with younger applicants, it had become common for them to stay silent upon pickup, forcing the interviewer to initiate the conversation, a trend that quickly resonated with others in professional roles who confirmed experiencing the same pattern, suggesting the behavior was no isolated occurrence.

The reasoning behind this pause, according to those familiar with the shift, stems partly from the overwhelming surge in robocalls and spam, as automated dialing systems often wait for a human voice trigger, usually a word like “hello”, before launching into their scripted pitches, which means that remaining quiet can help users differentiate between real callers and machine-generated interruptions, allowing Gen Z users to outsmart telemarketers with what amounts to a passive screening technique.

Alongside the fight against robocalls sits a more cautionary motivation rooted in growing concerns about voice-based fraud, where cybersecurity experts have warned that scammers could potentially use voice samples, particularly expressive and predictable phrases such as “hello,” to train or manipulate cloning software, making some users more likely to avoid saying anything identifiable at all, instead offering flat or non-emotional responses if they speak at all.

This approach also signals a change in social expectations, as many Gen Z users now operate on the belief that the person who initiates the call bears the responsibility for initiating the conversation, reversing the long-standing cultural pattern in which the person who answered the phone typically offered a greeting, introduced themselves, or otherwise acknowledged the connection first, a shift that, while minor on the surface, has become symbolic of the broader realignment in communication habits brought on by changing technologies and social rhythms.

For those who lived through the era of shared household phones without caller ID, answering a call involved not only speaking promptly but also declaring who you were or which residence had been reached, and for professionals who worked with landline desk phones, the practice became even more formal, with employees often trained to respond with the company name, their own name, and sometimes an offer of assistance, which reflected the anonymous and institutional nature of many incoming calls during that time.

Today, that formal scaffolding around phone use has all but collapsed, as personal mobile devices, direct-dial numbers, and ubiquitous texting have turned calls into intimate rather than shared experiences, and even the voicemail, once treated as a personal audio letter, is increasingly ignored, skimmed through transcription tools, or bypassed entirely in favor of follow-up texts or missed call notifications.

Some of my Muslim friends have shared that phone calls, like any form of speech, carry a moral weight, and they remind me that beginning a conversation with intention and a peaceful greeting, such as “Assalamu Alaikum,” (Maybe peace be upon you) isn’t just polite, it’s spiritually meaningful. They say it sets the tone for honesty, calm, and dignity in conversation, and also reflects the value Islam places on how and when we speak. Even silence, they suggest, should be purposeful, not careless, since the tongue is something one answers for, and every word, spoken or withheld, counts in the balance.

The rituals surrounding voice calls have changed so thoroughly that many people now feel the need to coordinate even brief conversations through several rounds of texting beforehand, and when someone does make an unscheduled call, it’s not uncommon for them to apologize before beginning, as if their ring tone had intruded on sacred space rather than merely announced their attempt to speak.

While those born before the early 1990s may view these behaviors as signs of declining etiquette or emotional distance, history suggests that phone customs have never been fixed for long, considering that the phrase “hello” itself only gained traction in the late 19th century after Thomas Edison popularized its use as a practical greeting for telephone conversations, and most American households did not even have phones until well into the 1940s, which indicates that the rules governing this technology have always evolved alongside it.

Although it may feel unusual to encounter silence when someone answers a call, especially for those who equate verbal acknowledgment with politeness, the reality is that such conventions often rise and fall with their relevance, and as the function of voice calls continues to narrow in the presence of faster, quieter, and more asynchronous communication channels, it becomes less surprising that younger users now approach the ringing phone with hesitation, calculation, or silence, rather than the reflexive friendliness that once defined the gesture.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.

Read next: ElevenLabs Mobile App Sees Moderate Uptake with Global Skew
by Asim BN via Digital Information World

TikTok Led Earnings, ChatGPT Topped Downloads, While AI Apps Now Rival Entertainment for User Time and Money

As June wrapped up, mobile app data painted a clear picture of where users spent both time and money. While short videos and streaming content remained popular, apps powered by artificial intelligence continued their steady climb, not just in usage but also in how much users were willing to pay.

Consumer Spending Highlights

TikTok topped the revenue charts once again. With $384 million in global earnings across Apple and Google’s stores, it pulled in more than any other app, by a good stretch. That’s the highest monthly total the platform has brought in so far. Most of that came from iOS users, but Android still contributed over $100 million.

ChatGPT came in second. It brought in $185 million across both platforms, with Apple users accounting for the bigger share. The app might not have cracked into every household yet, but judging by its recent run, it’s getting there faster than most.

YouTube, Tinder, and Disney+ followed behind. Tinder earned about $133 million, placing it just ahead of Disney+, which saw its numbers dip slightly to $112 million. Google One and HBO Max tied at $92 million each, showing that cloud storage and streaming remain strong categories.

Other names in the top ten included CapCut, which passed $80 million, and Tencent’s QQ and Video platforms, which saw consistent engagement out of Asia.

Top Earners by Platform

On iOS alone, TikTok held the top spot with $266 million. ChatGPT landed second at $147 million, and YouTube brought in $137 million. Tinder and Tencent Video rounded out the top five. HBO Max, Disney+, CapCut, QQ Video, and LinkedIn also made the list, each pulling in more than $55 million.

Over on Google Play, TikTok still led, though the gap narrowed. Google One took second with $92 million. Disney+ followed, with $45 million, and Amazon’s app brought in just under that. ChatGPT placed fifth on Android with $38 million, while Tinder, Spotify, and HBO Max hovered around the $30 million mark.

Global Download Trends

ChatGPT didn’t just bring in money, it also brought in the most new users. It was the most downloaded app worldwide in June, with 50 million new installs — 15 million on iOS and 36 million on Android. That’s two months in a row where it led the field.

TikTok came in second overall with 37 million installs, beating Instagram by a nose. Instagram followed at 36 million, then came Facebook with 30 million and WhatsApp with 28 million. CapCut stayed close behind, and apps like Temu, Threads, and Telegram kept a solid presence in the top ten.

Looking just at iOS, Threads ranked second with 11 million installs, right behind ChatGPT. Google’s suite of apps, from Maps to Gemini, held several slots, while Telegram Messenger also drew strong numbers. Temu and TikTok were evenly matched, both attracting around 7 million new iPhone users.

On Android, Instagram and TikTok remained close, with 31 million and 30 million downloads, respectively. Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat all stayed strong. Meanwhile, apps for small business and messaging, like WhatsApp Business and Telegram, continued drawing consistent interest.

General Trends and Takeaways

Overall, the top ten most downloaded apps reached about 290 million devices in June. That’s slightly fewer than May, with an 8 percent dip across the board. Summer tends to slow things down for many platforms, but not all. ChatGPT was the outlier, managing to grow while others held steady or dipped slightly.

Entertainment apps kept their hold on user wallets, but AI-powered tools are now elbowing their way into the top spots. TikTok may still lead by a wide margin, but ChatGPT’s performance across both earnings and downloads shows that users are just as ready to pay for productivity and innovation as they are for content and connections.

Whether that trend holds into July is anyone’s guess, but for now, the balance between streaming, dating, storage, and AI has never been more competitive.

The Highest Earning Apps – June 2025 (by Consumer Spend Worldwide)

iOS App Store

Rank	App	Company	Revenue
1	TikTok	TikTok Ltd.	$266M
2	ChatGPT	OpenAI	$147M
3	YouTube	Google	$137M
4	Tinder	Tinder LLC	$96M
5	Tencent Video	Tencent Technology	$76M
6	CapCut	Bytedance Pte. Ltd	$72M
7	Disney+	Disney	$67M
8	HBO Max	WarnerMedia Global	$62M
9	QQ Video	Tencent Technology	$60M
10	LinkedIn	LinkedIn Corporation	$56M

Google Play

Rank	App	Company	Revenue
1	TikTok	TikTok Pte. Ltd.	$118M
2	Google One	Google LLC	$92M
3	Disney+	Disney	$45M
4	Amazon	Amazon Mobile LLC	$44M
5	ChatGPT	OpenAI	$38M
6	Tinder	Tinder LLC	$37M
7	Spotify	Spotify AB	$32M
8	HBO Max	WarnerMedia Global	$31M
9	Crunchyroll	Crunchyroll, LLC	$21M
10	Prime Video	Amazon Mobile LLC	$19M

Combined Total

Rank	App	Company	Revenue
1	TikTok	TikTok Ltd.	$384M
2	ChatGPT	OpenAI	$185M
3	YouTube	Google	$137M
4	Tinder	Tinder LLC	$133M
5	Disney+	Disney	$112M
6	HBO Max	WarnerMedia Global	$92M
7	Google One	Google LLC	$92M
8	CapCut	Bytedance Pte. Ltd	$83M
9	Tencent Video	Tencent Technology	$76M
10	LinkedIn	LinkedIn Corporation	$68M

---

The Most Downloaded Apps – June 2025 (Worldwide)

iOS App Store

Rank	App	Company	Downloads
1	ChatGPT	OpenAI	15M
2	Threads	Instagram, Inc.	11M
3	CapCut	Bytedance Pte. Ltd	10M
4	Google Maps	Google	8M
5	Google	Google	8M
6	Temu	Temu	7M
7	TikTok	TikTok Ltd.	7M
8	Instagram	Instagram, Inc.	6M
9	Google Gemini	Google	6M
10	Telegram Messenger	Telegram FZ-LLC	6M

Google Play

Rank	App	Company	Downloads
1	ChatGPT	OpenAI	36M
2	Instagram	Instagram, Inc.	31M
3	TikTok	TikTok Pte. Ltd.	30M
4	Facebook	Meta Platforms, Inc.	25M
5	WhatsApp	WhatsApp LLC	23M
6	Snapchat	Snap Inc	16M
7	Temu	Temu	16M
8	CapCut	Bytedance Pte. Ltd	14M
9	WhatsApp Business	WhatsApp LLC	14M
10	Telegram	Telegram FZ-LLC	13M

Combined Total

Rank	App	Company	Downloads
1	ChatGPT	OpenAI	50M
2	TikTok	TikTok Ltd.	37M
3	Instagram	Instagram, Inc.	36M
4	Facebook	Meta Platforms, Inc.	30M
5	WhatsApp	WhatsApp LLC	28M
6	CapCut	Bytedance Pte. Ltd	24M
7	Temu	Temu	23M
8	Threads	Instagram, Inc.	22M
9	Snapchat	Snap Inc	20M
10	Telegram Messenger	Telegram FZ-LLC	19M

H/T: Appfigures Blog.

Note: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. 

Read next: How to Read a Privacy Policy Without Getting Lost, and What to Look For Before You Tap "Accept".
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World