We're in a slightly weird place in the streaming world this week (August 18-24). As summer and winter start to wind down in the northern and southern hemispheres, the world's best streaming services appear to be withholding their biggest releases for the final few months of the year.
That's not to say there aren't some new movies and TV shows to catch over the next few days. From a popular HBO Max show making its long overdue return, to three interesting offerings from Netflix, you're sure to find something worth watching with our help. So, read on to see what's new. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Peacemaker season 2 (HBO Max)Everyone's favorite DC comic book anti-hero is back. Peacemaker – real name Chris Smith – is back on our screens after three and a half years for his sophomore outing on Warner Bros Discovery's recently rebranded streamer. This time, the titular character stumbles on a parallel world where life is everything he wishes he could be. Oh, and he's being hunted by Rick Flag Sr, the newly-installed head of ARGUS and father of the man Peacemaker killed in 2021's The Suicide Squad.
Episode 1 is out now – read my Peacemaker season 2 release schedule guide to see where you can stream it outside of the US and when new entries will air. Before you watch it, check out my Peacemaker season 2 guide for more details on its cast and plot among other things, and my Peacemaker season 2 review to see what I thought of its first five chapters. – TP
Hostage (Netflix)Suranne Jones as UK Prime Minister? If I woke up tomorrow and that was real life, I'd be made up. Instead, she's playing fictional leader Abigail Dalton in new Netflix series Hostage, where she's faced with putting her country first while dealing with the sudden abduction of her medic husband in French Guiana. To top it all off, her scheduled visit with French president Toussaint (Julie Delpy) doesn't go swimmingly... especially when she starts being blackmailed, too.
I can't think of a time we've seen two female world leaders coexist like this, let alone work together to overthrow the tests a patriarchal system consistently subjects them to. I've no doubt in my mind that Jones was going to knock this out of the park and I hope this is the start of her rise to global stardom, much like Sarah Lancashire experienced in Happy Valley. – Jasmine Valentine, entertainment writer
Eenie Meanie (Hulu/Disney+)Ready or Not star Samara Weaving leads the cast of this new Hulu and Disney+ offering, which sees her play the role of a troubled getaway driver.Indeed, we follow her as she's dragged back into a life of crime when a former employer reveals they’ve got an opportunity to save her “chronically unreliable” ex-boyfriend.
This heist movie sounds perfect if you’re after an action flick this weekend, but we'll have to wait and see what critics think of it first before we can recommend it ourselves. – Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
While most people were watching Squid Game: The Challenge with baited breath (and to be fair, so was I), I was watching Brian Cox do his best 'M' impression on Prime Video's underrated reality TV show 007: Road to a Million. That said, considering how expensive it was to make, I'm surprised a second season was greenlit.
Nevertheless, I'm yet to see a competition series on par with this. We've all wanted to take a stab at being James Bond. Thankfully, we get to experience that from the safety of our sofa while James from Wigan screams his head off trying to win some money. This Amazon TV Original only gets more unhinged from there, so strap in. – JV
Long Story Short (Netflix)BoJack Horseman is one of the best Netflix shows and a personal favorite of mine, so you can imagine how excited I am about co-creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg's new show Long Story Short. The adult animation series centers on a middle-class Jewish family and, more specifically, three siblings as they experience everyday events while looking back on their very religious childhood.
Given BoJack was equal parts hilarious and devastating, I’ve already stocked up on tissues for the weekend. It's already been renewed for a second season, too, so there'll be plenty more to enjoy in th future. – LB
Out of the five new Apple TV+ shows releasing in August, Invasion season 3 is the most underrated. But, that doesn't mean I'm not excited for its arrival – not least because we're set to learn the true intentions of the hostile aliens that have invaded Earth.
There have been theories about the extraterrestrials' constant attacks throughout the Apple TV+ sci-fi saga, but this season promises to finally give us answers. Creator Simon Kingberg has confirmed we'll see the main characters unite in a "low-key Avengers" storyline, so I'm expecting a climatic showdown.
So far, Invasion has seen mixed responses due to its slow-burn pacing, but many agree that last season greatly improved on the first, putting the Apple TV Original's third season in good stead to be a world-saving (or -ending) spectacle. – Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
The Truth About Jussie Smollett? (Netflix)Before 2019, Jussie Smollett was known for his roles in shows like Empire and movies like The Mighty Ducks, but has since made headlines after being accused of staging a hate crime hoax.
The real-life case has more twists and turns than a Spanish soap opera, but that hasn't stopped Netflix from going ahead with a 90-minute documentary about the case. The Truth About Jussie Smollett? will bring us interviews with police, lawyers, journalists, investigators, and Jussie himself to get the story straight, making this the best way to get the (hopefully) true story on the alleged fake story. – AS
You might also likeLittle Nightmares 3 is set to arrive later this year. As such, there's still a lot to learn about the upcoming indie horror game and how it plans to build on the foundations the previous two games have laid down.
Now that Little Nightmares 3 has been fully revealed, and received a release date, we know a fair bit about it. We have played the game now too, read our thoughts as part of our Little Nightmares 3 preview.
With the original Little Nightmares landing on our list of the best horror games, alongside our best indie horror games, the third installment of the series has a lot of expectations to meet. But if you were a fan of the first two games, it’s an upcoming game worth keeping an eye on. With that in mind, we're here to provide a look at gameplay, latest news, and trailers. Here’s everything we know about Little Nightmares 3 so far.
Little Nightmares 3 - cut to the chaseLittle Nightmares 3 will launch October 10, 2025. You’ll be able to play Little Nightmares 3 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, and Xbox One, so there’s a huge variety of platforms to choose from once you’re ready to dive in.
Little Nightmares 3 trailersThe most recent Little Nightmares 3 trailer serves as a recap and overview of everything revealed about the game so far. Check it out below:
The pre-order trailer for Little Nightmares 3 reveals the game's October release date, and features new gameplay. Check it out below:
A trailer for Little Nightmares 3 debuted during Gamescom Opening Night Live. 2024 It focuses on the co-op gameplay that'll be the focus of the game. Check it out below:
The reveal trailer for Little Nightmares 3 was shown as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2023, and offers a fairly generous look at the new setting of the title, alongside the two new protagonists called Low and Alone. Unusually, we aren’t revisiting Mono and Six of the original Little Nightmares and its sequel, but that does mean there is an entirely new blank slate to build upon for this game.
In the trailer, we meet the two new protagonists alongside a number of new enemies, as well as a glimpse at several new environments to navigate. We also got a first look at the new array of enemies, including a monstrous baby and several large, human-like creatures.
The end of the trailer presents a release window of 2024 (later delayed to 2025), alongside listing the platforms the game will be available on. The full trailer can be seen below:
Little Nightmares 3 story and setting(Image credit: Supermassive Games)With only a few trailers under our belts, and not a lot of other information out in the wild, there’s still a lot we don’t know about Little Nightmares 3. Little Nightmares is a pretty lore-heavy game, so we do expect more information to come to light as we learn more about the release date of the game, but for now, we’ve got a decent chunk to sink our teeth into when it comes to the story and setting of the game.
The story follows two new protagonists called Low and Alone, both of whom have different abilities that will aid your experience with the game. Although we don’t know the backstory of these characters, we expect more to unravel as we crawl closer to the game’s release. Both characters are armed with a weapon unique to them, and you’ll be able to select which character you wish to play which is a franchise first.
Despite not knowing much about the backstory of these characters, we do know that they are working in tandem in order to escape the setting, and similarly to how Mono and Six work in Little Nightmares 2, we are expecting the duo to support one another when it comes to the puzzle solving and potentially combat side of the game.
Whether or not the character you choose to play has an impact on how the story plays out is currently unclear, but it would be a cool addition to expand the lore of Little Nightmares, especially since Supermassive Games is the team behind this game. Given how the stories weave together in both Until Dawn and The Quarry that Supermassive made it would be an intriguing addition to the Little Nightmares series if your actions had a butterfly effect too.
In terms of setting, Little Nightmares 3 takes place in a new environment called “The Spiral” which is described as a cluster of dystopian lands built upon disturbed delusions. As we move further into 2025, we are expecting more information regarding the setting to be shared.
Little Nightmares 3 gameplayWith Little Nightmares 3 being a puzzle-platform horror adventure game, there’s a lot to expect from its haunting gameplay. We’ve only had a brief look at the in-game content from the reveal and subsequent trailers, but it appears to follow the same style of content as the previous two games. Because of this, we’re anticipating the game to present a lot of traditional Little Nightmares mechanics, such as sneaking past enemies to solve puzzles in larger-than-life environments, alongside elements like tense chase scenes, and platforming throughout different areas.
However, we are expecting combat to be more prominent in Little Nightmares 3 since both Low and Alone are each equipped with a weapon. For players who select to play as Low, you’ll be armed with a bow and arrow, whereas players who select Alone will be armed with a wrench. This could indicate more instances of combat with various enemies, alongside utilizing these weapons for any puzzle-solving or quick escapes you might have to navigate.
Excitingly, Little Nightmares 3 will also be the first game in the series to include co-op play, so you won’t have to go through the entire adventure solo. We’re anticipating this game to become one of the best co-op games, especially since Little Nightmares 2 felt as though it should be multiplayer, but the feature wasn’t implemented.
As a game that relies on two characters throughout its content, whether that is during puzzle solving or platforming, or even as a pair of extra hands during boss battle-esque combat, multiplayer will be a huge benefit for the game. Similarly to information regarding the story and setting, we are expecting more to come to the surface about what the game offers to set itself apart from the last two games.
In an 18-minute playthrough published by Bandai Namco, we get a first look at how co-op will feel. While the vast majority of this trailer walks us through an entirely new setting, we do gain a feel for the puzzle-solving element of the game and how crucial teamwork will be regarding progression. It seems as if both Low and Alone will not be able to progress without one another, and for once it might be preferable to play the game with a companion rather than entirely solo.
It also appears that there will be instances within the game where you are separated from one another in order to solve puzzles. Interestingly, the game doesn't use split-screen and instead focuses on one character at a time when the pair are split. With no couch co-op, this is an interesting way to approach separation since one player will effectively lose access to their character for a bit, but it does reduce the risk of getting lost within the map.
Little Nightmares 3 FAQWill Little Nightmares 3 be multiplayer?Little Nightmares 3 will feature multiplayer at launch. You'll be able to jump into online co-op to control Low and Alone, or play solo with an AI companion. Unfortunately, there's no local co-op mode planned at present.
Who is making Little Nightmares 3?While the first two Little Nightmares games were handled by Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares 3 is being developed by Supermassive Games under Bandai Namco. This is primarily due to Tarsier Studios having been bought by Embracer group, with Bandai Namco having retained the IP rights to the Little Nightmares franchise.
Little Nightmares 3 news(Image credit: Supermassive Games)Watch 10 minutes of the Carnevale level
A new gameplay breakdown for Little Nightmares 3 arrived during Gamescom 2025. It's our best look at gameplay yet. Watch it here (opens YouTube).
18 minutes of Little Nightmares 3 gameplay has been released
We've received our first look at in-game content within Little Nightmares 3 through a fairly lengthy video walking us through one of the games new settings - the Necropolis. We get a look at how the pair will work together in order to progress through the setting, alongside a small look at combat and the games first boss.
Little Nightmares 3 will not support couch co-op It has been announced that Little Nightmares 3 will not have couch co-op in order to preserve "atmosphere and immersion." While the title is the first in the series to have any sort of multiplayer, players will need independent devices to play with one another. That said, both players will not need a copy of the game, and similar to It Takes Two, a friend pass will allow a second player to jump in.
Little Nightmares 3 reveal trailer shown at Gamescom Opening Night Live Little Nightmares 3 was announced with a new reveal trailer as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023. This was the first look at the game and what we can expect. Within the trailer, we quickly meet two new protagonists alongside a brief look at the new setting of the game, before it closes out with a release window and its available platforms.
You Might Also Like...The FBI says its search of Bolton's home was authorized by a court but declined to provide further details. Bolton is a frequent critic of the president.
(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)
Google and the US Government have come together to announce the release of Gemini for Government, described as the combination of “commercial cloud, industry-leading Gemini models, and agentic solutions” for maximum productivity.
The announcement comes from Google and the General Services Administration (GSA) and forms part of the OneGov Strategy for centralized IT procurement and Trump’s AI Action Plan.
Gemini for Government will be valid until 2026 and builds on existing Google agreements with the US Government.
Google launches heavily discounted Gemini for GovernmentGemini for Government will cost $0.47 per agency and follows a Google Workspace deal with savings of 71% for government agencies – all enabled through renewed purchasing power through the GSA’s OneGov Strategy.
“Building on our Workspace offer for federal employees, ‘Gemini for Government’ gives federal agencies access to our full stack approach to AI innovation, including tools like NotebookLM and Veo powered by our latest models and our secure cloud infrastructure, so they can deliver on their important missions,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai commented.
Gemini for Government includes Google-quality enterprise search, video and image generation, NotebookLM AI, Deep Research agents, Idea Generation agents, and support for workers to build their own agents.
“We are a long-term, strategic partner for America, deeply invested in the mission, innovation, and security of our government,” Google Public Sector CEO Karen Dahut noted, pointing to headline figures like Google’s 100,000+ US workers and its data centers and officers across 26 states.
With the deal set to last just one year, it’s unclear what happens next. The GSA could renew or extend the agreement, or competition could once again open up as the White House looks for cheaper or other advanced AI tools.
You might also likeApple TV+’s sudden price hike has left subscribers scrambling to decide whether to cancel their subscription before the increased rate shows up in their next renewal bill, but there are some ways to avoid paying as much as 30% more.
The best I've seen so far is to sign up for an annual subscription, as the 12-month rate remains unchanged for the moment. That means you can not only still get a more than 16% saving on the old monthly cost of Apple TV+ by buying an annual subscription, but you can also save 55% on the newly raised monthly price.
By signing up for 12 months upfront, you can bring the cost of a monthly subscription down to just $8.33 in the US, £7.49 in the UK, and AU$10.83 in Australia (see the table below for how these stack up against the new raised prices).
Apple TV+ global costsAnnual
Monthly equivalent
New monthly prices
US
$99
$8.33
$12.99
UK
£89.99
£7.49
£9.99
AU
AU$129.99
AU$10.83
AU$15.99
Apple also has not announced any further changes to the price of other bundles and offers, which means the cost of its mega subscription service that bundles all of its services, including Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Apple TV+, and more, into one package remains unchanged.
The Apple One subscription bundle has three different pricing tiers depending on whether you want an individual account, family, or more premium features like a higher storage capacity on iCloud, making it a great value for anyone who regularly uses these services. It starts at $19.95 a month in the US, £18.95 per month in the UK, and AU$21.95 per month in Australia.
If you haven't already read our Apple TV+ cost guide, then you might not know that you can also still get a free trial of Apple's streaming service. The introductory offer is available for new and select returning customers, making it a great option if you're a savvy budgeter who hops between subscriptions.
An Apple TV+ free trial is by far the cheapest option to avoid the price hike, and there are multiple ways to get one. The standard trial period is seven days, but you can get a month if you're a student or a new Apple One subscriber – or three months with an Apple device purchase. In the US, you can also get three months if you purchase a Roku device, or six months if you're on a T-Mobile Go5G plan. There are similar offers in the UK too, with EE iPhone contracts and Three bundles.
These are the best ways to avoid missing out on streaming Spike Lee's new movie Highest 2 Lowest, alongside the return of The Morning Show season 4 and Slow Horses season 5 in September. Of course, it's always worth keeping an eye on the best streaming deals, but Apple TV+ isn't known to offer many discounts throughout the year.
Will Apple TV+ introduce an ad-supported tier?If you're like me and signed up to the rare Apple TV+ deal that marked a 70% saving on the usual price of a subscription in April, then your discounted account has probably run out by now – great timing, I know.
There are thankfully ways to save money on an Apple TV+ subscription (as listed above), but for anyone who's looking for a more long-term solution that doesn't involve swapping and changing which of the best streaming services you're signed up to each month, then one could be on the horizon.
Reports have been circling for over a year now that Apple TV+ has been making inroads in the advertising space. From recruiting ad execs to testing ad tools, industry insiders have connected these dots and believe they suggest that Apple TV+ could be next to get an ad-based tier.
That's not too surprising considering the success that Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video have had following the rollout of similar ad-supported tiers, with the services each announcing an increase in sign-ups off the back of the launch of these new, cheaper tiers.
With Apple increasingly spending more on big-ticket productions and acquiring the expensive rights to big sporting tournaments – namely the Formula 1 rights in the US – it's bound to have an impact on the bottom line, and that means we'll have to cough up for it.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start to hear more about a potential ad-supported tier rolling out on Apple TV+ off the back of the price hike, especially if it impacts subscriber numbers, as Apple's streaming service will undoubtedly want to win back eyeballs.
You might also likeDanish hi-fi company Dali has just announced a new pair of budget stereo bookshelf speakers, and as someone who's been testing the model just above them in the range at home recently, I think these could be very interesting.
The new speakers are called the Dali Kupid, and they're hoping to make you fall in love with their funky color options (as well as more traditional wood finishes), and their promise of detailed, audiophile-pleasing sound for a low price of just £299 (about $400 / AU$625 – no price has been confirmed for the US or Australia at the time of writing).
They sit between the cheapest Dali Spektor 1 bookshelf speakers ($280 / £199 / AU$499) and the impressive Dali Oberon 1 speakers ($600 / £399 / AU$749) – both of which scored five stars from our friends at What Hi-Fi? in their reviews of those products.
I've been using the Dali Oberon 1 at home recently as part of testing a new streaming amp, and they're really quite astounding for the price when it comes to detail and musicality – which means I think these genuinely could be fantastic value.
The Kupid are built with a custom-designed 26mm tweeter paired with a 4.5-inch mid-woofer. While the woofer appears to be very similar to one in the Spektor 1, the combination with a new tweeter and different bass reflex design could produce wider-ranging sound than the Spektor 1.
Though having said that, I should note that the Kupid are rated for slightly less extensive bass frequencies than the Spektor 1 (63Hz for the Kupid and 59Hz for the Spektor) – but spec numbers never tell the whole story with speakers, so I would expect a more full sound from the Kupid when factoring in all elements of the design.
One of the big focuses of the Kupid seems to be making them easy to live with – Dali suggests they should be pretty unfussy to place and get good sound from, and they come with wall brackets in the box as well as rubber feet.
They're also reasonably small, and they can be powered comfortably from 4-ohm amplification, so budget amps should have no problem getting their best sound. Dali says they should sound great quiet as well as loud, so they're suited to a lot of different environments – this is something the Oberon 1 are great at, so I don't doubt it here.
And perhaps coolest of all, they come in five great finishes for different tastes: Black Ash, Walnut, Caramel White, Golden Yellow, and Chilly Blue.
(Image credit: Dali)A great way to step up to the detail of bookshelf speakers?These look like they would pair nicely with something like the Pro-Ject Stereo Box E amp, which costs $349 / £199 and should have enough power for these speakers, plus has Bluetooth built in. That would get you lovely analog audio components from two great hi-fi makers, all in a compact size, plus the convenience of wireless connectivity – all for under £500 total, in the UK.
If you compare to a similar wireless stereo speaker setup – something like a pair of Sonos Era 100 speakers costs only a little less – you'd almost certainly hear a major difference in detail and clarity from the hi-fi system.
With far bigger speaker drivers, more air moved, and more space for powerful components, you'll find that music has a lot more room to express itself than from a smaller system. This usually means you'll get the experience of hearing 'new' elements in songs, or just be able to appreciate them anew with an improved sound profile.
I actually did a comparison listening test recently between a pair of stereo Sonos Era 300 speakers and the Dali Oberon 1 speakers with the new Wiim Amp Ultra powering them – and although the Sonos speakers gave a great account of themselves with the sound dispersal and hefty low-end, the Oberon 1 had a clear edge when it came of mid-range expression, detail across the frequencies, and the handling of complex instrument mixes. Basically, all the things that make you feel really immersed in a song are boosted.
Obviously, we'll have to give these a real test to see if they can do the same at a lower price, but given my recent experience with Dali speakers, and the company's history, I think these look like a good threat to our list of the best stereo speakers.
You might also like…Google has asked app developers to prepare for "upcoming 64-bit Google TV and Android TV devices" by making sure their TV apps are available as 64-bit versions.
Developers have plenty of time to prepare: the new rules come into force in August 2026.
Moving from 32-bit to 64-bit is good news for Google TV and Android TV users with compatible hardware, because 64-bit apps generally deliver faster loading times, less lag and better overall performance.
And streaming fans can see that in action on an Apple TV 4K, because Apple started the 64-bit app transition ten years ago and completed the switchover in 2019.
Many third-party devices, such as the Nvidia Shield, are 64-bit ready. (Image credit: Future)Does Google's 64-bit move mean new hardware?Yes, but not necessarily from Google: while there's been some speculation that Google is working on a new 64-bit Google TV Streamer for launch next year, the operating systems are also used by third party products such as the Nvidia Shield and several of the best TVs, including the Sony Bravia 8 II. Google's blog post notes that three versions of the Nvidia Shield are 64-bit capable.
While Apple removed 32-bit support in tvOS 13 back in 2019, Google isn't following suit. "We’re not making any changes to 32-bit support, and Google Play will continue to deliver apps to 32-bit devices," Google TV product manager Fahad Durrani wrote.
What Google is doing here is asking developers to futureproof their apps, and from next August that means submitting both 32-bit and 64-bit versions for maximum compatibility.
That means users of existing Google TV and Android TV hardware don't need to worry about their apps disappearing or being left without updates in the foreseeable future, but depending on your device it might mean a performance boost is coming next year – or it might mean your next device gets the boost.
You might also likeSwann, the company behind some of the best home security cameras we've tested here at TechRadar, has launched a new compact outdoor camera that you'll never need to take down for recharging, and which doesn't require a subscription plan to save and review your video footage.
The Swann EVO Wireless Solar is a compact weather-resistant camera (much smaller than the all-seeing Swann MaxRanger4K Solar), and can run all day with just 45 minutes of sunlight exposure, giving you plenty of flexibility as to where you mount it.
The camera comes with a 16GB SD card, so you can save your footage locally and keep full control over it. If you do decide that you want to keep clips in the cloud, the free Swann Secure plan gives you 1-7 days of cloud recording for a single camera.
The EVO Wireless Solar records at 2K with a 120-degree field of view, and offers infrared night vision for spotlight-free recording after dark. There's two-way audio as well, letting you speak to visitors and warn off potential intruders.
(Image credit: Swann)The Swann EVO Wireless Solar has a list price of $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.95, and is available to buy direct from Swann.
For comparison, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Battery is $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$179, but lacks solar charging, and requires a Ring Home plan if you want to store your recordings. For more details of what you get with Ring Home, see our guide do I need a Ring subscription.
The price difference between the wireless Swann and Ring cameras disappears immediately if you want solar charging, since Ring's solar panels start at $39.99 / £39.99 / AU$59 each.
We're hoping to test the Swann EVO Wireless Solar soon, to see how it compares with other wireless cams in its price bracket and above.
You might also likeAs artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, Grok and predictive analytics platforms become embedded in everyday business operations, many companies are unknowingly walking a legal tightrope.
While the potential of AI tools provide many benefits - streamlining workflows, enhancing decision-making, and unlocking new efficiencies - the legal implications are vast, complex, and often misunderstood.
From data scraping to automated decision-making, the deployment of AI systems raises serious questions around copyright, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
Without robust internal frameworks and a clear understanding of the legal landscape, businesses risk breaching key laws and exposing themselves to reputational and financial harm.
GDPR and the Use of AI on Employee DataOne of the most pressing concerns is how AI is being used internally, particularly when it comes to processing employee data. Many organizations are turning to AI to support HR functions, monitor productivity, or even assess performance. However, these applications may be in direct conflict with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
GDPR principles such as fairness, transparency, and purpose limitation are often overlooked in the rush to adopt new technologies. For example, if an AI system is used for employee monitoring without their informed consent, or if the data collected is repurposed beyond its original intent, the business could be in breach of data protection law.
Moreover, automated decision-making that significantly affects individuals, such as hiring or disciplinary actions, requires specific safeguards under GDPR, including the right to human intervention.
The Legal Grey Area of Data ScrapingAnother legal minefield is the use of scraped data to train AI models. While publicly available data may seem fair game, the reality is far more nuanced. Many websites explicitly prohibit scraping in their terms of service, and using such data without permission can lead to claims of breach of contract or even copyright infringement.
This issue is particularly relevant for businesses developing or fine-tuning their own AI models. If training data includes copyrighted material or personal information obtained without consent, the resulting model could be tainted from a legal standpoint. Even if the data was scraped by a third-party vendor, the business using the model could still be held liable.
Copyright Risks in Generative AIGenerative AI tools, such as large language models and image generators, present another set of challenges. Employees may use these tools to draft reports, create marketing content, or process third-party materials. However, if the input or output involves copyrighted content, and there are no proper permissions or frameworks in place, the business could be at risk of infringement.
For instance, using generative AI to summarize or repurpose a copyrighted article without a license could violate copyright law. Similarly, sharing AI-generated content that closely resembles protected work may also raise legal red flags. Businesses must ensure their employees understand these limitations and are trained to use AI tools within the bounds of copyright law.
The Danger of AI “Hallucinations”One of the lesser-known but increasingly problematic risks of AI is the phenomenon of “hallucinations”- where AI systems generate outputs that are factually incorrect or misleading, but presented with confidence. In a business context, this can have serious consequences.
Consider a scenario where an AI tool is used to draft a public document or legal summary, in which it includes fabricated company information or incorrect regulations. If that content is published or relied upon, the business could face reputational damage, client dissatisfaction, or even legal liability. The risk is compounded when employees assume the AI’s output is accurate without proper verification.
The Need for Internal AI GovernanceTo mitigate these risks, businesses must act promptly to implement robust internal governance frameworks. This includes clear policies on how AI tools can be used, mandatory training for employees, and regular audits of AI-generated content.
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) should be conducted whenever AI is used to process personal data, and ethical design principles should be embedded into any AI development process.
It’s also critical to establish boundaries around the use of proprietary or sensitive information. Employees interacting with large language models must be made aware that anything they input could potentially be stored or used to train future models. Without proper safeguards, there’s a real risk of inadvertently disclosing trade secrets or confidential data.
Regulatory Focus in 2025Regulators are increasingly turning their attention to AI. In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has made it clear that AI systems must comply with existing data protection laws, and it is actively investigating cases where this may not be happening. The ICO is particularly focused on transparency, accountability, and the rights of individuals affected by automated decision-making.
Looking ahead, we can expect more guidance and enforcement around the use of AI in business. The UK is currently consulting on its AI Bill which aims to regulate artificial intelligence by establishing an AI Authority, enforcing ethical standards, ensuring transparency, and promoting safe, fair, and accountable AI development and use that businesses must comply with.
AI is transforming the way we work, but it’s not a free pass to bypass legal and ethical standards. Businesses must approach AI adoption with caution, clarity, and compliance to safeguard their staff and reputation. By investing in governance, training, and legal oversight, organizations can harness the power of AI while avoiding the pitfalls.
The legal risks are real, but with the right approach, they are also manageable.
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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
A U.N.-backed panel of experts has declared that northern Gaza is suffering from famine. And, the DOJ is expected to release to Congress the first wave of documents related to its Jeffrey Epstein probe.
(Image credit: Eyad Baba)
President Trump may soon be browsing for the best website builders after ordering improvements to federal government websites and physical spaces in the hope to make them more attractive for both workers and customers.
“The Government has lagged behind in usability and aesthetics,” Trump said in a new Executive Order, noting the need for system modernization that could tackle high maintenance costs in the process.
The Executive Order explains legacy systems can be costly to maintain and costly to American citizens, who can spend more time than necessary trying to navigate them, hence the need for change.
Trump wants to modernize US Government websitesThe Order introduces Trump’s new ‘America by Design’ initiative, which begins with high-touch point sites where citizens are most likely to interact with government agencies.
The formation of a new National Design Studio and the appointment of a Chief Design Officer will oversee the project.
“It is the policy of my Administration to deliver digital and physical experiences that are both beautiful and efficient, improving the quality of life for our Nation,” Trump wrote.
The National Design Studio has been tasked with reducing duplicative design costs, much in the same way that the White House has already started centralizing IT procurement to boost cost efficiency.
It will also use a standardized design for consistency and trust, and improve the quality of public-facing experiences.
Agencies have been given until July 4, 2026 to deliver their initial results after consulting with the Chief Design Officer.
Separate Reuters reporting has revealed Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia will lead the National Design Studio as Chief Design Officer, with the Internal Revenue Service set to be the first place to see an overhaul.
Trump’s Order also confirms the “temporary organization” will close in three years, on August 21, 2028, suggesting that site modernization could be complete even before that.
You might also likeWe've just been treated to a host of new Google Pixel devices, including four different Pixel 10 phones, but we also have news about Google devices that aren't coming – including a flip foldable and a successor to the Pixel Tablet from 2023.
Speaking to Mark Gurman and Samantha Kelly at Bloomberg, Google's Vice President of Devices and Services Shakil Barkat confirmed that there are no plans for a Google flip foldable to join the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Barkat also ruled out a smart ring, and says the Pixel tablet series is on pause until a "meaningful future" can be figured out for the product category. It seems the likes of Samsung will be left to release those kinds of devices for the time being.
The status on smart glasses, meanwhile, is "TBD" – it seems Google is happy to stay focused, for now. "Every time a new type of category of product gets added, the bar on maintenance for the end user keeps going up," says Barkat. "It's already pretty painful."
The "vanguard" of AIGoogle is focused on Pixel phones and AI (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Google execs did also use the interview to hype up what they are working on. Rick Osterloh, who is head of Google's hardware and Android divisions, described the Pixel 10 as a "super strong release" in what is now a "mature category".
The Pixel 11 is almost finalized, apparently, while work has started on the Pixel 12. Google design chief Ivy Ross says that the company is aiming for big visual changes to the Pixel phones "every two to three years" – so watch this space.
As you would expect, the Google team pushed AI as being the big innovation that'll be happening on phones over the next few years, via Gemini and features such as Magic Cue, which surfaces key info from your phone when you need it.
Osterloh says he wants Android to be "on the vanguard of where AI is going", and that Google isn't overly worried about Pixel sales: the phones account for about 3% of the US market at the moment, compared to a 49% share for Apple.
You might also likeFamine has been officially declared in northern Gaza, a U.N.-backed group warns — marking the first such confirmation in the Middle East.
(Image credit: Moiz Salhi)
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted of a royal defamation charge by a court on Friday, in a case that could have sent him to prison for up to 15 years.
(Image credit: Arnun Chonmahatrakool/AP)