Court Orders Google to Open Search Data and End Exclusive Deals

Google’s legal battle with U.S. regulators has reached a turning point. A federal court has ruled that the tech giant must stop making exclusive agreements that kept its search service as the default choice on many devices. It will also be required to share parts of its search data with competitors, though it will keep control of Chrome and Android.

A Case Years in the Making

The dispute began in 2020 when the Department of Justice claimed Google had built an illegal monopoly around internet search. After a long trial, the court found last year that the company had used restrictive contracts and huge payments to partners such as Apple to secure its position. Those deals gave Google unmatched visibility and left rival search engines struggling to compete.

Remedies Announced

The remedies unveiled this week aim to loosen that hold without breaking up the company. Google is now barred from exclusive contracts across Search, Chrome, Assistant and Gemini. At the same time, it will have to make certain search index data and user interaction information available to qualified competitors. Advertising data is not included, but the hope is that opening access to core search material will give rivals a chance to improve their services.

• Also read: AI Assistants Expand but Fail to Dethrone Search Engines

The court also ordered Google to provide syndication options that allow other companies to deliver search results and ads while building their own technology. These arrangements must be offered on standard commercial terms.

No Forced Breakup

The government had originally pushed for more drastic measures, including the sale of Chrome and possible limits on Android. The court rejected those proposals, warning that removing those products from Google would cause disruption for consumers and partners. Instead, the focus is on cutting off the practices that reinforced its dominance rather than dismantling the tools themselves.

Google’s Position

Google responded by highlighting changes in the industry, pointing to the rise of artificial intelligence as an alternative way for people to find information. The company has raised concerns about privacy risks in sharing search data and signaled plans to appeal the ruling. Any appeal could delay enforcement for years, leaving the impact uncertain in the near term.

What It Means

The decision marks a new phase in how regulators deal with large technology companies. By keeping Chrome and Android intact but opening search data and ending exclusivity, the court has tried to balance competition with stability. Whether this approach succeeds will depend on how rivals use the access they are given and how long the appeals process drags on.

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

Read next: Parental Controls Are Coming to ChatGPT as Safety Questions Grow
by Asim BN via Digital Information World

Parental Controls Are Coming to ChatGPT as Safety Questions Grow

OpenAI is preparing to roll out parental controls in ChatGPT, a move that highlights how much the chatbot has already become part of teenagers’ daily routines. The company says the update will arrive within a month. Parents will be able to link their accounts with those of their children once they reach the age of 13. After that, they can turn off features like chat history or memory, while also receiving alerts if the chatbot thinks a teenager is showing signs of distress.

The alerts are not constant monitoring. They are set to appear only in cases where the system reads a risk of real emotional harm. That might mean signs of depression, language pointing to self-harm, or other moments when a check from a parent could matter. For most everyday chats, parents will not see what their child is typing.

A Different Model for Sensitive Cases

OpenAI has also said it will direct some conversations into a safer version of its model. That switch will happen automatically if the chatbot picks up on a crisis. The version it moves to has been trained to follow rules more strictly and resist prompts that might push it toward unsafe answers. Even if a user started in another mode, the system will force the change if a risk is detected.

• Also read: Study Shows Chatbots Can Be Persuaded by Human Psychological Tactics

Expert Advice Behind the Design

The new controls are being shaped with outside input. A council on well-being and a physician network with specialists in mental health, substance use, and adolescent care are part of the process. Their advice is helping to define what counts as a warning sign, how the chatbot should respond, and what escalation might look like when the risk is judged to be serious.

Broader Push on Safety

The changes fit into a larger plan to make ChatGPT safer. OpenAI has promised more updates over the next four months. Some of those are aimed at sensitive areas like eating disorders and substance use. The timing also follows a lawsuit in the United States in which a family alleged that ChatGPT gave harmful responses to their son before his death. That case has increased scrutiny of how AI behaves in difficult moments.

The new parental tools are arriving at a point when chatbots are no longer seen as simple novelties. For many young users, they are part of private life. What the AI says in fragile moments could have real consequences, which is why OpenAI is moving now to add these controls.

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

Read next: Cost Pressures Persist Despite Cooling Inflation, Survey Finds
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Cost Pressures Persist Despite Cooling Inflation, Survey Finds

Inflation slowed to 2.7 percent this summer, well below the nine percent peak of 2021–2022. Yet many households still feel burdened by higher prices, as shown in a recent consumer survey, conducted by Statista. Almost half of U.S. adults named the cost of living as their greatest personal challenge, placing it ahead of health, work balance, and political concerns.

The statistics explain the mood. Since January 2021, consumer prices have risen more than 22 percent. Food, housing, and transport have climbed even faster, while wages increased by a slightly smaller margin, leaving purchasing power weaker than before. The strain helps explain why falling inflation rates have not translated into relief at the kitchen table.

Other challenges remain part of the picture. One in four respondents reported difficulties with physical or mental health, while similar numbers pointed to work-life balance issues. Political debate, aging, housing stress, and career dissatisfaction followed, but none rivaled the dominance of day-to-day costs.

Challenge	Percentage
Cost of living	49.1%
Physical health	26.3%
Mental health	26.0%
Work-life balance	25.8%
Political or social issues	22.7%
Age-related concerns	16.7%
Housing	16.6%
Career dissatisfaction/uncertainty	16.2%

The survey also highlights a paradox common in advanced economies: governments can report growth, stability, and resilience, while households continue to feel stretched and insecure. This contrast carries lessons for other nations, that economic strength on paper does not always reflect lived reality for citizens.

At the same time, history shows that even extended periods of pressure are not permanent. Hardship often pushes communities toward resourcefulness, adaptability, and renewed strength. That perspective tempers discouragement, offering a reminder that while challenges weigh heavily today, they also plant the seeds for recovery and resilience tomorrow.

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

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by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Daily Vitamin D May Keep Cells Healthier for Longer, but Scientists Urge Caution

Vitamin D supplements could help protect the caps on our chromosomes that slow ageing, sparking hopes the sunshine vitamin might keep us healthier for longer, a recent study suggests.

Image: Felipe Coelho / unsplash

The researchers discovered that taking 2,000 IU (international units, a standard measure for vitamins) of vitamin D daily helped maintain telomeres – the tiny structures that act like plastic caps on shoelaces, protecting our DNA from damage every time cells divide.

Telomeres sit at the end of each of our 46 chromosomes, shortening every time a cell copies itself. When they become too short, cells can no longer divide and eventually die.

Scientists have linked shorter telomeres to some of our most feared diseases of ageing, including cancer, heart disease and osteoarthritis. Smoking, chronic stress and depression all appear to speed up telomere shortening, while inflammatory processes in the body also take their toll.

Beyond strong bones

It is well known that vitamin D is essential for bone health, helping our bodies absorb calcium. Children, teenagers and people with darker skin or limited sun exposure particularly need adequate levels to build and maintain strong bones.

But vitamin D also powers our immune system. A review of evidence found that vitamin D supplements can cut respiratory infections, especially in people who are deficient.

Early research even suggests it might help prevent autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, though more trials are needed.

Since inflammation damages telomeres, vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects could explain its protective role.

In this recent study, from Augusta University in the US, the researchers followed 1,031 people with an average age of 65 for five years, measuring their telomeres at the start, after two years, and after four years. Half took 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, while the other half received a placebo.

The results showed that telomeres were preserved by 140 base pairs in the vitamin D group, compared with a placebo. To put this in context, previous research found that telomeres naturally shorten by about 460 base pairs over a decade, suggesting vitamin D’s protective effect could be genuinely meaningful.

This isn’t the first promising finding. Earlier studies have reported similar benefits, while the Mediterranean diet – rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients – has also been linked to longer telomeres.

Telomeres explained.

The catch

But there are some important points to note. Some researchers warn that extremely long telomeres might actually increase disease risk, suggesting there’s a sweet spot we don’t yet understand.

There’s also no agreement on the right dose. The Augusta researchers used 2,000 IU daily – much higher than the current recommended intake of 600 IU for under-70s and 800 IU for older adults. Yet other research suggests just 400 IU might help prevent colds.

Experts say the optimal dose probably depends on individual factors, including existing vitamin D levels, overall nutrition and how the vitamin interacts with other nutrients.

Although these findings are exciting, it’s too early to start popping high-dose vitamin D in the hope of slowing ageing. The strongest evidence for healthy ageing still points to the basics: a balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, not smoking and managing stress, all of which naturally support telomere health.

However, if you’re deficient in vitamin D or at risk of poor bone health, supplements remain a sensible choice backed by decades of research. As scientists continue unravelling the mysteries of ageing, vitamin D’s role in keeping our cellular clocks ticking may prove to be just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

Dervla Kelly, Associate Professor, Pharmacology, University of Limerick

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Global Startup Cities in 2025: Power Shifts Beyond Silicon Valley

Startup cities remain at the core of global innovation. They supply investors with high-growth opportunities and give entrepreneurs the environment to test, scale, and export new technologies. In 2025, as per Startupblink, the Bay Area still holds its position as the strongest ecosystem worldwide, but the picture is changing as Asia and Europe sharpen their roles.

U.S. Leadership Holds, but Competition Emerges

San Francisco commands the global table with an ecosystem score of 853, nearly triple its closest challenger. Deep venture capital reserves and dense networks of experienced founders keep its lead secure. New York, with its financial expertise and diverse talent base, stands firmly in second place. Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, and Austin strengthen the U.S. footprint, showing that American innovation is no longer confined to one coastal hub.

Europe’s Anchor in London

London ranks third globally, the highest position outside the United States. Its ecosystem benefits from close links between universities, venture investors, and government initiatives designed to expand computing infrastructure. Tech giants have noticed this environment: major firms are investing in local research and training programs, reinforcing the city’s role as Europe’s central startup magnet. Paris and Berlin add further weight, though London clearly sets the pace on the continent.

Asia’s Expanding Influence

Beijing and Shanghai represent China’s ability to scale ventures at speed, with Beijing securing a global fifth place. China’s market size, policy support, and rapid commercialization of research create fertile ground for startups, particularly in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Shenzhen, with its strength in hardware, also appears among the top ecosystems.

India’s Bangalore enters the global top ten, recognized for its deep pool of engineers and growing base of tech investors. New Delhi and Mumbai also appear in the broader rankings, highlighting India’s role as one of the fastest-rising startup nations. Together, these cities underline Asia’s growing contribution to the global tech race.

Israel and Singapore Punch Above Their Weight

Beyond the major economies, smaller nations are also visible. Tel Aviv continues to attract global attention for cybersecurity and defense-related technology, while Singapore leverages its position as a financial and logistics hub for Southeast Asia. Both cities show that size does not limit startup ambition when government policy, infrastructure, and investment align.

The Road Ahead

The global startup landscape in 2025 is more distributed than a decade ago. The Bay Area still dominates, but growth in Asia and Europe points to a more balanced future. As technology becomes central to economic strength and national security, cities that nurture talent and attract investment will play an outsized role in shaping global competition.

Rank	City (Country)	Startup Ecosystem Score
1	San Francisco Bay (United States)	853
2	New York (United States)	316
3	London (United Kingdom)	187
4	Los Angeles Area (United States)	139
5	Beijing (China)	137
6	Boston Area (United States)	128
7	Shanghai (China)	102
8	Paris (France)	82
9	Tel Aviv Area (Israel)	79
10	Bangalore (India)	78
11	New Delhi (India)	64
12	Singapore City (Singapore)	62
13	Tokyo (Japan)	61
14	Berlin (Germany)	60
15	Seattle (United States)	58
16	Austin-Round Rock Area (United States)	51
17	Shenzhen (China)	49
18	Mumbai (India)	48
19	Chicago (United States)	48
20	Seoul (South Korea)	48

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

Read next: ChatGPT Gains Effort Picker, Flashcard Quizzes, and Codex Upgrade in Latest Tests
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

ChatGPT Gains Effort Picker, Flashcard Quizzes, and Codex Upgrade in Latest Tests

Artificial intelligence assistants are beginning to look less like fixed tools and more like adjustable instruments, and OpenAI’s latest set of experiments with ChatGPT illustrates the shift. In recent days the company has started testing features that hand more control to the user, ranging from a dial that changes how much effort the model invests in an answer, to a study mode that creates flashcard-style quizzes, to a deeper integration of its Codex system across development environments.

A Dial for Reasoning Depth

The “effort picker,” as it is being called in early tests, is the most unusual. Instead of relying on the system to decide how hard it should think, users can now choose from a set of levels that adjust the depth of the reasoning process. A lighter setting produces quick replies that skim the surface. Higher levels push the model through longer reasoning chains, slowing down the response but delivering more structured analysis.

There are four stages in the current version, each tied to an internal budget that controls how much “juice,” as the engineers describe it, gets allocated before the answer is finalized. At the bottom is a mode designed for casual queries, the sort of questions where speed matters more than precision. Above that sit the standard and extended modes, useful for homework problems or work research where more careful steps help. At the very top, reserved for the company’s most expensive subscription, sits the maximum effort tier, which allows the model to spend far more cycles on each response. That restriction reflects cost: deeper reasoning requires more computation, which in turn means higher prices to cover it.

• Also read: Rising AI Pressure Pushes Professionals Back Toward Human Networks

This kind of dial has existed in other corners of computing for decades. In the early years of expert systems, researchers often balanced inference depth against processing time. The idea was that longer reasoning chains could uncover better answers, but only if the operator was willing to wait. OpenAI’s move is essentially a modern translation of the same idea, packaged for a general audience.

Flashcards for Study Mode

A smaller but still interesting addition appears in the form of a study mode. When prompted with a topic, the model generates a set of digital flashcards, presents questions one by one, and tracks the user’s answers through a scorecard. Unlike static test banks, the content can evolve with the conversation, producing follow-up questions or repeating material that the learner got wrong. Education research has long found that this kind of retrieval practice strengthens memory more effectively than rereading material, so the approach is grounded in existing evidence. Early tests, though, suggest the rollout is patchy. In some regions, including Pakistan, the system has not produced quizzes for certain subjects such as blogging or search engine optimization, hinting that coverage is still incomplete.

Codex Gains Broader Reach

Meanwhile, developers are seeing changes in Codex, the company’s programming assistant. The tool can now be used more smoothly across environments, with sessions linked between browser, terminal, and integrated development editors. A new extension for Visual Studio Code and its forks, including Cursor, helps bridge local and cloud work. The command-line tool has been updated as well, with new commands and stability fixes. The improvements bring Codex closer to what competing systems are attempting, such as Anthropic’s Claude Code, which is also experimenting with web and terminal links.

A Shift Toward Adjustable AI

Taken together, the updates reveal a trend. OpenAI is gradually shifting away from a model that spits out a single kind of response toward a service that lets people decide what kind of reasoning, format, or integration they want. That could matter as much for casual users who only want fast answers as it does for students drilling for exams or engineers juggling code between a laptop and the cloud. What unites all of these developments is the idea that AI should not be a sealed black box but an adjustable partner, with knobs that people can turn depending on the task at hand.

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

Read next: Study Shows Chatbots Can Be Persuaded by Human Psychological Tactics

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Rising AI Pressure Pushes Professionals Back Toward Human Networks

Across industries, the rush to keep up with artificial intelligence is leaving many workers stretched thin, and according to new LinkedIn research, that pressure is pushing people to lean more heavily on colleagues and professional circles instead of automated systems or search engines.

In the survey, just over half of professionals said learning AI felt like adding another job on top of their existing responsibilities. A third admitted they felt uneasy about how little they understood, while more than four in ten said the accelerating shift was beginning to affect their wellbeing. Younger staff, particularly those under 25, showed sharper contrasts: they were more likely to exaggerate their knowledge of AI, but also more likely to insist that no software could replace the judgment they rely on from trusted coworkers.

Those findings connect with another shift the research uncovered. When faced with important decisions at work, 43 percent of people said they turn to their networks first, ahead of search tools or AI platforms. Nearly two-thirds reported that advice from colleagues helped them move faster and with more confidence. At the same time, posts about feeling overwhelmed or navigating change have risen sharply on LinkedIn, climbing by more than 80 percent over the past year.

The study also looked at how these patterns influence buying decisions. With Millennials and Generation Z now making up more than seventy percent of business-to-business buyers, traditional brand messaging is no longer enough on its own. Most marketing leaders said audiences cross-check what they hear from companies with conversations in their networks. As a result, four in five plan to direct more spending into community-driven content produced by creators, employees, and experts, pointing to trust in individuals as a central factor in building credibility.

LinkedIn is responding to the trend with updates to its BrandLink program, which gives companies new ways to work with creators and publishers. The platform has already partnered with global enterprises and media outlets to launch original shows designed to bring professional conversations directly into member feeds.

Taken together, the findings suggest that while AI tools continue to spread quickly, professionals still anchor their decisions in relationships. Technology may provide information, but for confidence and clarity, people are still turning back to one another.

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

Image: unsplash / M ACCELERATOR

Read next: Study Shows Chatbots Can Be Persuaded by Human Psychological Tactics
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World