Скачать или смотреть Jester Tech Rundown Tory push to ban under16s on social media Google & Walmart's AI shopping P

Daily digest from Jester Tech Rundown — quick, clear breakdown of the biggest tech and policy stories of the day.

1) UNDER‑16s SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
• Conservatives, led by Kemi Badenoch, pledge to ban social media accounts for under‑16s following Australia’s move. Backing from figures including Andy Burnham has ramped up cross‑party pressure on No 10, while PM Keir Starmer says the government is monitoring developments rather than adopting an immediate blanket ban. Key issues: enforcement, age verification, privacy and legal implications. Platforms affected could include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Threads.

2) WALMART + GOOGLE GEMINI — GOOGLE LAUNCHES UCP
• Walmart adds Google’s Gemini to its AI shopping stack (joining OpenAI ChatGPT and Walmart’s Sparky). Google also rolled out the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) — an open commerce framework supporting in‑AI checkout (Google Pay, PayPal planned), Business Agents (brand voice sales agents), related-product discovery and Direct Offers. Early adopters and partners include Shopify, Etsy, Lowe’s, Michaels, Poshmark and Reebok. Analysts say UCP tightens Google’s path to monetize AI via ads, direct offers and streamlined checkout.

3) DfT POTHOLE TRAFFIC‑LIGHT MAP
• The Department for Transport launched an interactive traffic‑light map showing how English councils are tackling potholes. Thirteen councils received a ‘red’ rating. The tool aims to boost transparency and local accountability on road repairs.

Why this matters: policy decisions on kids and social media, AI’s next step into commerce, and a new public tool to hold councils accountable — all could affect millions of users and consumers.

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Keywords: social media ban, under‑16s, Kemi Badenoch, age verification, AI shopping, Google Gemini, Universal Commerce Protocol, UCP, Walmart, Business Agents, in‑AI checkout, pothole map, Department for Transport, council ratings, tech news

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