Introduction: Big news from the tech world! Google is opposing the idea of websites verifying kids’ ages. What’s the fuss all about? Let’s get into it!
Main Points:
Google’s Stance:
Google shared its viewpoint on how to make the internet safe for kids.
They believe websites shouldn’t have to confirm the age of young users before allowing access.
Utah’s Move:
Utah made a rule that social media platforms must verify kids’ ages during sign-up.
Google is against this, thinking it could limit kids from using websites they enjoy.
Google’s View on Age Checks:
Google feels only sites with content like alcohol, gambling, or adult themes should verify ages using IDs.
They suggest other platforms should focus on what’s best for youngsters.
A Look Back:
Google had issues four years ago. They were fined for collecting kids’ data to display ads.
As a result, YouTube (owned by Google) was instructed not to direct specific ads towards kids.
Recent Developments:
Despite past challenges, Google proposes new rules.
They recommend sites shouldn’t target ads to children. However, an analysis hinted that YouTube might still be doing this.
In response to these claims, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ed Markey want the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into YouTube’s actions.
In a Nutshell: Google is against widespread age checks on the web. They suggest other safety measures, but with claims of YouTube’s ad targeting, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ed Markey are calling for further investigations.
Grok “Nudify” Backlash: Regulators Move In as X Adds Guardrails
Update (January 2026): EU regulators have opened a formal inquiry into Grok/X under the Digital Services Act, Malaysia temporarily blocked Grok and later lifted the restriction after X introduced safety measures, and California’s Attorney General announced an investigation; researchers say new guardrails reduced—but did not fully eliminate—nudification-style outputs.
What this is about
The passage describes the Grok “nudify” controversy that erupted in late December 2025 and carried into January 2026. Grok, X’s built-in AI chatbot, could be prompted to create sexualized edits of real people’s photos—such as replacing clothing with a transparent or minimal bikini look, or generating “glossed” and semi-nude effects—often without the person’s consent.
Why did it become a major problem on X
The key difference from fringe “nudify apps” or underground open-source tools is distribution. Because Grok is integrated into X, users could generate these images quickly and post them directly in replies to the target (for example, “@grok put her in a bikini”), turning image generation into a harassment mechanic at scale through notifications, quote-posts, and resharing.
What researchers and watchdogs flagged
The text claims that once the behavior was discovered, requests for undressing-style generations surged. It also alleges that some users attempted to generate sexualized images of minors, raising concerns about virtual child sexual abuse material and related illegal content—especially serious given X’s global footprint and differing international legal standards.
The policy and legal angle the article is making
X’s own rules prohibit nonconsensual intimate imagery and child sexual exploitation content, including AI-generated forms.
In the U.S., the article argues the First Amendment complicates attempts to regulate purely synthetic imagery, while CSAM involving real children is broadly illegal.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act is discussed as a notice-and-takedown style remedy that can remove reported NCII, but does not automatically prevent the same input image from being reused to generate new variants.
How X/xAI responded (as described)
The piece contrasts Musk’s public “free speech” framing with the fact that platforms still have discretion—and in many places, legal obligations—to moderate harmful content. It says X eventually introduced guardrails and moved Grok image generation behind a paid tier, but some users reported they could still produce problematic outputs.
If you paste the exact excerpt/source you’re using (or tell me the outlet), I can rewrite it in a cleaner, tighter “news brief” style while keeping the meaning and key dates.
Honey Play Box Showcases Creator-Focused Innovation at 2026 AVN Expo
Honey Play Box happily attended the 2026 AVN Expo (AVN), held January 21–23 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, connecting with thousands of industry professionals at one of the adult industry’s most anticipated events.
Throughout the exhibition, Honey Play Box focused on building meaningful relationships with models, cam creators, and emerging talent, with a great interest in its strategic partner, VibeConnect. Designed specifically forcam models, Vibe-Connect is a free interactive streaming platform that links Honey Play Box toys to live animations and audience-driven reactions, turning standard cam shows into immersive, gamified performances that keep fans hooked and Cam models making money.
Creators showed enthusiasm over Vibe-Connect’s new Wishlist feature, which allows fans to gift products directly to their favorite models while enabling creators to earn an additional percentage on every item received, unlocking new revenue streams beyond traditional tokens and memberships.
Honey Play Box also showed its support to both new and experienced creators by giving away innovative products designed for live streaming.
“Honey Play Box [gave] content creators toys you can use for live streams. Fans can control your toys and other creators can connect with each other…wherever you are in the world!” said Cam Model Trinity
Italy (AGCOM): Mandatory age checks on adult sites start Nov 12
Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM, will enforce mandatory age verification for pornography websites starting November 12, 2025. The system is designed to block access by minors and relies on certified third parties (such as banks or mobile operators) to confirm whether a visitor is 18+. After verification, the third party issues an access code that lets the user proceed to the site.
AGCOM describes a “double anonymity” model: adult sites receive only an “of-age” confirmation and never the user’s identity, while verifiers do not see which website the person is trying to access. According to the rules, the check is required on every visit, not just once.
An initial enforcement list covers around 50 services, including major platforms that host or distribute pornographic content in Italy. Sites found non-compliant can face penalties of up to €250,000.
What changes in practice
Start date: November 12, 2025.
Who verifies: Certified third parties that already hold user identity data.
What sites see: Only that a user is of age, not who they are.
Frequency: Verification is required each time a covered site is accessed.
Enforcement: Fines up to €250,000 for failures to comply.
Italy’s move aligns with broader European efforts to implement age-assurance on adult content. Platforms operating in the country are expected to finalize integrations with certified providers and update user flows to meet the deadline, while users should anticipate an extra verification step before entering affected sites.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login