search
digital media
Trends
- 1Citizen Lab: governments using online ads to deliver zero-click spyware▼Citizen Lab says governments are abusing online ads to hack people with 'zero-click' spyware | TechCrunch
The Citizen Lab, a University of Toronto digital rights research unit, reports that governments are exploiting online advertising networks to infect targets with 'zero-click' spyware. It found evidence that dozens of devices at the media organization Al Jazeera were hacked after staff were shown malicious ads, with no interaction required. The findings renew scrutiny of commercial spyware and state-backed hacking of journalists.
- 2Russia hit by major internet outage after drone attack on Sberbank data center▼Major internet outage hits Russia after drone attack on Sberbank data center, media report
Russian media report a large-scale internet outage across Russia following a drone attack on a Sberbank data center. The disruption affected connectivity for users nationwide, adding to a pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure. Details on the extent of the outage and full restoration efforts remain limited.
- 3Russia's Central Bank Grants Sberbank Crypto License▼Russia’s Central Bank Gives Sberbank Crypto License
Russia's central bank has issued a cryptocurrency license to Sberbank, the country's largest bank. The move would allow Sberbank to offer crypto-related services to customers, a notable shift given the central bank's historically hardline stance against digital assets. Reports of the decision are circulating in financial and crypto media.
- 4Target adds viral TikTok brands to revamp home category●Target bets on buzzy TikTok brands like Mellow Sleep to revamp its home category
Target is bringing in popular social-media-born brands such as Mellow Sleep, the mattress and bedding company that grew largely through TikTok, as part of an effort to refresh its home goods assortment. The move reflects a broader retail strategy of using digitally native, viral brands to draw younger shoppers back into stores and online.
- 5
Canal+ has unveiled Sport+, a new free digital platform dedicated to sports content, expanding its offering beyond its paid packages. The announcement comes alongside promotion of its streaming subscription priced under €25 a month, with partner deals adding incentives for new subscribers. French media coverage highlights the group's push to broaden its audience among sports fans and cinema lovers.
- 6
Political campaigns are moving a growing share of their advertising budgets to social media platforms ahead of the 2026 election cycle. The shift reflects where voters increasingly spend their time, as campaigns follow audiences away from traditional television and print. Strategists say targeted digital ads now play a central role in reaching and persuading voters.
- 7
Russian media are reporting a wave of fraud cases and new scam tactics. A couple was convicted of cheating 39 Moscow-region apartment buyers out of 54 million rubles, a Barnaul tour operator was charged over an 8-million-ruble scheme, and officials warned of fake pension recalculation mailings, tax-service scams, data theft via digital ruble payments, and children being recruited into fraud schemes.
- 8Trump administration threatens Europe over Starlink independence push●The Trump administration is threatening Europe with economic retaliation for trying to reduce its dependence on Musk's S
The Trump administration is threatening Europe with economic retaliation as EU governments move to reduce their reliance on Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network. The dispute reflects a broader European push for technological sovereignty, covering satellite communications, cloud services, artificial intelligence and social media platforms, with Washington framing Europe's diversification efforts as a target for punitive measures.
- 9
Brazilian influencer-politician Pablo Marçal is at the centre of attention as Flávio Bolsonaro stages a final social media offensive during an event led by Marçal. Speculation is also growing that Marçal could be nominated to the Supreme Federal Court, with critics mocking the prospect of a 'coach becoming minister'. The PT, meanwhile, is running a digital campaign against Bolsonaro, warning of fake news and risks to social programmes.
- 10PIX11 launches 'Parenting Plus' digital safety series for kids▼‘PIX Parenting Plus’: Digital safety for kids
PIX11 has introduced 'PIX Parenting Plus', a segment focused on digital safety for children. The series aims to help parents navigate online risks their kids face, from screen time and social media to protecting personal information. The coverage is being carried across PIX11 and Yahoo, reflecting growing newsroom attention to how families manage children's lives online.
- 11
Commentary is warning of a 'coming entertainment gap' — a projected divide in access to entertainment, likely driven by differences in technology, spending power or the fragmentation of streaming and digital media. The piece argues that audiences may increasingly split between those with abundant, personalised entertainment options and those left behind. Beyond the headline framing, no concrete events, figures or named organisations are attached to the claim, so its substance remains thin.
- 12
Ken Kutaragi, the engineer behind the original PlayStation, has commented on Sony's shift toward digital-only consoles. Speaking in an interview, he said he understands the company's choice but argued that removing physical media "creates friction" for players. His remarks are drawing attention as digital editions of the PlayStation 5 become increasingly central to Sony's hardware strategy.
- 13German government accused of ignoring experts on youth media protection▼Sie hören einfach nicht zu. auch nicht ihren eigenen Expertenkommissionen. https://www. bundesregierung.de/breg-de/akt u
The German cabinet has agreed on key points for new youth media protection rules, drawing criticism that the government is not listening — including to its own expert commissions. Critics, including voices in the digital policy debate, argue the proposed measures fail to reflect expert advice, and the plans are being discussed as dangerous or misguided ahead of formal legislation.
- 14Drone strike on Sberbank data center knocks Russian services offline●A massive outage of Russian websites and services is being recorded in the Russian Federation due to a nighttime drone s
A massive outage of Russian websites and online services is being reported across Russia following a nighttime drone strike on a Sberbank data center, according to Russian media. The attack disrupted access to banking and other dependent platforms, highlighting the vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure amid ongoing strikes tied to the war in Ukraine.
- 15Campaign urges UK government to quit toxic social media platforms●# UK Govt must move away from # toxic social media Sites like Facebook, Instagram & YouTube track & profile users to tar
A renewed push is calling on the UK government to stop relying on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for public communication. Critics argue these sites track and profile users to target advertising, and that their algorithms amplify extreme content, fueling online harm. The campaign says a government that warns about digital harms should not depend on the platforms accused of causing them.
- 16NYC High Schoolers Build Tech Art in NYU STEAM Workshops▼NYC High Schoolers Create Tech-based Art Installations in STEAM Workshops Led by Steinhardt and the Nonprofit Community-Word Project
High school students across New York City have created technology-based art installations through STEAM workshops run by NYU's Steinhardt School and the nonprofit Community-Word Project. The program pairs students with educators to blend coding, digital media, and artistic expression, giving young people hands-on experience at the intersection of art and technology.
- 17
The Canary, an independent left-wing news outlet founded in Glasgow, has announced it is closing indefinitely, with staff informing readers of the decision in a statement. The National reported the announcement, which comes as one more independent digital publisher in the UK ceases operations, prompting reactions about the pressures facing small, reader-funded news organisations.
- 18Printed paper endures where big tech cannot reach●Big tech is never going to be able to destroy communication distributed on printed paper. It takes a bit longer to get t
Writers online are arguing that print remains the most durable form of communication, insisting that no technology company can control or destroy the written word once it is distributed on paper. The message spreads more slowly than digital media, they concede, but a printed text can survive for centuries. Many credit Johannes Gutenberg's printing press as the foundation of this resilience.
- 19German government team wins open source competition 2026●🎉 Herzlichen Glückwunsch an unser Siegerteam beim Open Source Wettbewerb 2026! 🎉 Bei der Preisverleihung heute auf der #
A team from Germany's federal IT agency won the Open Source Competition 2026 in the Transformation category. The award was presented at the SCCON26 conference in Berlin, recognising KoliBri, an open source component library built to improve the accessibility of software. The announcement is being shared on the agency's official social media account, drawing congratulations from followers and interest from the German open source and digital government community.
- 20
Balasubramanian S is exiting Tamil daily Dinamalar after 16 years with the publication, and is reportedly eyeing a broader role in media and digital leadership. The departure of a long-serving senior figure from one of Tamil Nadu's major newspapers is drawing attention within Indian media circles, with observers watching where he lands next.
- 21
JPMorgan Asset Management has included Bitcoin in its long-term outlook for the first time, projecting an expected annual return of about 10 percent for the cryptocurrency. The move signals growing acceptance of digital assets among major traditional asset managers, and comes as Dutch financial media report renewed mainstream interest in Bitcoin investing.
- 22Newsmast builds digital community spaces for sharing moments●We think everyone deserves an online space where *that* moment can be celebrated. That's why we're building digital comm
Newsmast says it is building digital community spaces and apps that let people share important moments with their community while staying connected to the wider world. The organisation argues everyone deserves an online space where milestone moments can be celebrated, positioning its work within the social web as an alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
- 23
Pew Research Center has published its News Platform Fact Sheet, a recurring statistical overview of how Americans get their news across television, digital, social media, print and radio. The report tracks audience trends and advertising revenue by platform, and its latest edition is being cited in discussions about the continued shift of news consumption toward digital and social channels.
- 24Hilary Swank announces pregnancy at 52●https://www. tkhunt.com/2600059/ オスカー女優、ヒラリー・スワンクが超高齢出産 52歳で第3子を妊娠、12月に生まれることを明かす | カルチャー | ELLE [エル デジタル] # Celebrity #
Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has revealed she is pregnant with her third child at the age of 52, with the baby due in December, according to an ELLE Digital report. The news is drawing wide attention in Japanese-language celebrity media and online chatter, focusing on pregnancy at an advanced age and reactions to the actress's family plans.
- 25Print Video Game Magazines Still Arriving in 2026▼It Is The Year Of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six, And I Just Got A Video Game Magazine Delivered To My House
A gaming journalist has received a physical video game magazine delivered to their home in 2026, and is marveling that print gaming publications still exist in an era dominated by digital media and online coverage. The piece highlights the persistence of niche print media and nostalgia for the era when magazines were the main source of game news and reviews.
- 26AIMC Launches Annual Spanish Internet Use Survey for 2026●«Navegantes en la Red»: la encuesta anual sobre el uso de Internet en España en 2026 https:// fed.brid.gy/r/http://www.m
Spain's annual «Navegantes en la Red» survey, run by the AIMC media research association, is collecting responses on how people in Spain use the Internet in 2026. The study tracks online habits, devices and services, and its yearly release is a reference point for measuring digital behaviour in the country. Respondents are being invited to take part online.
- 27Grand Island police share tips to protect youth online▼Grand Island police suggest tips for youth, parents to keep youth safe on social media and Internet from sexual predators
Police in Grand Island, Nebraska, have issued guidance for young people and parents on staying safe on social media and the wider internet from sexual predators. The department's advice urges awareness of who children are talking to online and encourages parents to stay involved in their children's digital lives. The safety reminder is drawing attention in local news coverage.
- 28Inside Gavin Newsom's Round-the-Clock Social Media Operation●Gavin Newsom’s 24/7 social media machine
Gavin Newsom, California's governor, is running a nonstop social media operation that keeps him in constant online circulation. CalMatters examines how his team's around-the-clock posting strategy works and what it signals about his political ambitions, drawing attention to how the possible 2028 presidential contender uses digital tactics to reach voters beyond traditional press channels.
- 29
Canal+ has unveiled Sport+, a new free digital platform dedicated to sport, offering sports events without a subscription. Announced by the group and reported by French media including Le Parisien, the move aims to broaden access to live sports content. The launch is drawing attention in France as broadcasters compete for sports audiences.
- 30
French media are reporting on planned changes to how cryptocurrency holdings are taxed, with reforms that could take effect in 2027. Le Journal du Coin and Boursorama both cover the proposals, which affect anyone who owns digital assets and must declare them to the tax authorities. Details of the exact measures and their scope remain limited, but crypto holders are being warned to watch the changes.
- 31London Exhibition Displays Children's Selfies as Art▼London Exhibition Displays Children’s Selfies as Art
An exhibition in London is presenting selfies taken by children as works of art, according to reporting by The New York Times. The show treats an everyday, often dismissed form of children's self-expression as material worthy of gallery display, prompting debate about what counts as art and how young people's digital culture is being framed and valued in institutional spaces.
- 32German academic floats thesis on algorithmic media and politics●Ich habe da eine politikwissenschaftliche These, die sich kompliziert mit Begriffen wie „digitale Thymotisierung durch a
A German-speaking social scientist has laid out a political science thesis arguing that digital media dynamics can be described with terms like 'digital thymotisation through algorithmic corporate media', the psychology of right-wing mimesis, and fading demographics. He promises to explain the idea in plain words in a follow-up, prompting discussion about how platform algorithms shape political identity and support.
- 33
A blogger has published an account of Apple deleting purchased books from their device, arguing that buying e-books through Apple's ecosystem does not confer real ownership. The post criticizes the company for removing content users believed they owned outright and has drawn attention in online discussion about digital ownership rights, DRM, and how little control consumers actually have over media purchased from large platforms.
- 34
Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi is drawing wide attention, with reports that Netflix is planning a talk show with him and speculation about a broader digital media strategy. Alongside this, he is making key public remarks about cancer awareness and screening, while commentary continues about a long-delayed film in his career. Fans are discussing the flurry of updates about his upcoming projects.
- 35AI-generated art fakes grow harder to spot●🎨 ICYMI: Generative # AI can mimic human brushwork, # watercolor textures, and anatomical quirks, making digital fakes d
Generative AI can now reproduce human brushwork, watercolor textures and even anatomical quirks, making digital forgeries difficult to distinguish from genuine fine art. As part of a News Literacy Project segment, Dan Evon outlines practical ways viewers can evaluate suspected AI-generated imagery, as concern grows over fakes flooding galleries, marketplaces and social media feeds.
- 36
The question of whether traditional psychotherapy can survive in the internet age is being raised in psychological and media discussion. With online therapy platforms, self-help apps and AI chatbots multiplying, commentators are weighing whether conventional one-on-one treatment can remain affordable, accessible and relevant, or whether digital alternatives are reshaping mental health care for good.
- 37Media Exec Urges Church to Embrace Digital Evangelisation▼Media Exec Says the Church Must Not Miss the Digital Missionary Moment
A media executive argues that the Catholic Church must act now to reach people through digital platforms, describing the current period as a digital missionary moment. Writing in the National Catholic Register, the executive warns that the Church risks missing an opportunity for evangelisation if it does not engage more effectively online, where audiences increasingly spend their time and seek spiritual content.
- 38
Globo has announced a partnership with the company founded by influencer Felipe Neto to produce Olympic-themed content in Brazil. The move signals the broadcaster's push to reach younger audiences through digital-first productions. Sports broadcasting is also shifting in the country, with TNT Sports airing 16 Sudamericana matches on YouTube through 2030, while Cruzeiro press for Gerson's contract termination.
- 39MIT AI Expert Sinan Aral Joins Cornerstone Research▼Sinan Aral, MIT Sloan Professor and Leading AI Expert, Affiliates with Cornerstone Research
Sinan Aral, an MIT Sloan professor and prominent expert on artificial intelligence and the digital economy, has affiliated with the consulting firm Cornerstone Research. The firm announced the move, adding Aral's expertise in AI, social media and data analytics to its expert witness and advisory roster.
- 40
A website documenting audio cassettes from 1963 to 2010 is drawing attention, cataloguing the cassette tapes that defined decades of music listening before digital formats took over. Readers are sharing nostalgia for the format and discussing the preservation of analog audio history as physical media becomes a collector's niche.