Big Tech must deal with disinformation or face fines

  • Tech companies such as Google and Meta will have to take action on deepfakes and fake accounts or risk facing fines.
  • New EU regulation supported by the Digital Services Act will mean tech firms have to deal with these forms of disinformation on their own platforms.
  • Firms can be fined up to 6% of their global turnover if they don’t comply.
  • The EU’s strengthened code will aim to prevent profit from disinformation, fake news, and increase transparency around political advertising.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.

Child abuse survivor feels ‘silenced’ by system

  • A Northern Irish child abuse survivor who waited five years for her abuser to appear in court has said she feels silenced by the criminal justice system.
  • Her abuse lasted for almost three years, and the grooming began when she was 14.
  • At the time of abuse, she was living in a Western Health and Social Care Trust children’s home.
  • Following first talking to the police, she says she was left feeling undermined and that “nobody was listening to her”.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.

School uniform grant in NI expected to increase by 20%

  • The school uniform grant available to families towards the cost of school uniforms is expected to rise by 20% for 2022 to 2023.
  • This comes after the Department for Education spoke about a ‘huge discrepancy’ between the grant available to NI families and other parts of the UK.
  • Low-income families are eligible for the grant and can apply through the Education Authority.
  • The department is also currently reviewing the criteria for the uniform grant and free school meals.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.