Tag Archives: freedom

New Scientist Reveals Changes to UK Freedom of Information Laws in 2025

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Peter Kyle’s Landmark Request for ChatGPT Logs Stuns Observers

In early 2025, I sent an email that I never expected would set a legal precedent for the UK government’s approach to AI chatbot interactions. However, that’s precisely what unfolded.

It all began in January when I came across an interview with Peter Kyle, then UK Technology Secretary. In the interview with Politics Home, Kyle disclosed that he frequently converses with ChatGPT, hinting that he actively engages with the technology his department is responsible for regulating.

This revelation piqued my curiosity. Could I obtain his chat history? Freedom of Information (FOI) laws are typically used to request emails and documents from public authorities, yet past court rulings suggest that certain personal data, like search queries, are not released under these laws. I was particularly interested in how chatbot conversations are classified.

Ultimately, the answer leaned towards the former. Most of Kyle’s interactions with ChatGPT were deemed private and exempt from FOI regulations. However, interactions that occurred in an official capacity were subject to disclosure.

In March, the Department of Science, Industry, and Technology (DSIT) provided several conversations between Kyle and the chatbot. This revelation formed the basis of an exclusive article detailing his exchanges.

The publication of these chat logs took data protection and FOI experts by surprise. “I’m astonished you obtained them,” remarked Tim Turner, a Manchester-based data protection expert. Others were simply left speechless.

When this article was released, we emphasized that this represented a world first, capturing global attention around the accessibility of AI chatbot conversations.

International researchers from countries like Canada and Australia reached out to me for advice on how to file similar requests with their government ministers. For example, subsequent FOI requests in April revealed that Ferrill Clarke, the then UK Artificial Intelligence Secretary, had never used ChatGPT in an official capacity, despite promoting its advantages. However, many inquiries were met with denials as governments increasingly cited legal exceptions to FOI.

I observed a noticeable shift in the UK government’s approach to FOI, especially regarding AI utilization. In a subsequent request for DSIT’s internal responses to this article—comprising emails and Microsoft Teams messages—my FOI application was denied, citing the process as laborious and time-consuming.

Despite considering asking the government to utilize ChatGPT for summarizing the relevant information, I ultimately chose not to pursue it.

This release was pivotal as governments swiftly adapt to AI technologies. The UK government has acknowledged that civil servants use tools such as ChatGPT in their daily operations, claiming that this adoption can save up to two weeks annually due to enhanced efficiency. However, it’s critical to note that AI does not always deliver impartial summaries and can produce inaccuracies or “hallucinations.” Thus, transparency in how these technologies are employed is essential for accountability, whether the implications are positive or negative.

Topic: Politics / 2025 News Review

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Source: www.newscientist.com

European Journalists Investigating Paragon Solutions Spyware: A Press Freedom Perspective

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The intrigue surrounding the hacking deepens as researchers unveil new evidence indicating that two additional journalists were targeted by the same military-grade spyware utilized by Italy against activists.

Earlier this month, a parliamentary committee supervising the intelligence reporting agency confirmed that Italy employed mercenary spyware developed by Israel-based Paragon Solutions against two Italian activists.

Nevertheless, the same committee, which initiated an inquiry into the hacking scandal in March, stated that it could not ascertain the identities of those responsible for targeting prominent Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato.

In a recent report from Citizen Lab researchers, Ciro Pellegrino, a close associate of Cancellato and head of the research outlet’s fan page, revealed that the Naples Bureau was also targeted by users of Paragon Solutions’ spyware. The Civic Research Institute reported that a third journalist, described as a “prominent European journalist,” was similarly targeted by the spyware.

This development unfolds as Paragon and the Italian government face mounting public scrutiny. Haaretz reported this week that Paragon offered to assist the Italian government in investigating the Cancellato incident; however, Italy allegedly declined the offer, with the Italian Security Agency expressing national security concerns.

The office of Meloni did not respond to requests for comment. A debate on this matter, which has sparked outrage between the Italian opposition and Brussels MEPs, is slated for June 16th in the European Parliament.

The Guardian sought comments from Paragon regarding the latest updates and referenced communication to Haaretz, where they confirmed that they had terminated their contract with the Italian government following the revelation in February that Cancellato had been targeted. The Guardian initially reported on Paragon’s contract termination with Italy in February.

Like other spyware vendors, Paragon markets cyber weapons to government clients, ostensibly for crime prevention purposes. The company asserts that it sells spyware exclusively to democratic nations and prohibits its use by journalists or members of civil society.

So, who is behind the targeting of the two journalists?

“We’ve noticed considerable efforts to reassure our customers,” stated John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab. “The journalists’ devices displayed a clear digital fingerprint indicating Paragon’s involvement. It became even more intriguing, as we found fingerprints in both instances that corresponded to the same Paragon clients.”

A report from the Copasir Parliamentary Committee disclosed that Italy’s domestic and foreign intelligence agencies had contracts with Paragon in 2023 and 2024, with the hacking software being used under prosecutor authorization. The committee noted that the spyware was deployed to investigate fugitives, suspected terrorism, organized crime, fuel smuggling, and anti-smuggling operations.

It also mentioned that pro-immigrant human rights activists like Luca Casarini and Giuseppe Caccia were surveilled not for their human rights work but due to their connections with “irregular immigrants.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Latest NHS heartburn surgery gives men the freedom to indulge in holiday feasts” | Science and Technology Update

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A man who suffered from heartburn so severe that he sometimes regurgitated his food has finally been cured with a “revolutionary” new surgical procedure.

Jeff Cohen had difficulty swallowing more than a sip or two because acid had been rising from his stomach for so long that the normal muscle contractions in his esophagus, or esophagus, were impaired.

He told Sky News that he had become uncomfortable eating, especially in public places.

“It was sitting there heavy in my chest like a blockage,” he said.

“But now I can eat without worrying. The food goes straight forward as usual.”

read more:
Turmeric may be as effective as indigestion medicine

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Jeff Cohen: “You’ll be able to eat whatever you want this Christmas”

Mr. Cohen was one of the first patients. NHS A device called RefluxStop must be implanted.

Surgeons at St Mary’s Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare, sewed a small cube of medical-grade silicone into the outer pouch of the stomach in a keyhole surgery that took just over an hour.

This device holds the stomach and esophagus in place so the muscle valves between them function properly to allow food to pass through and prevent acid from escaping.

Ahmed Ahmed, a consultant surgeon at the hospital, said the technology addresses the root cause of severe heartburn and acid reflux.

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Dr. Ahmed Ahmed said that for most reflux patients, “the valve that stops acid from entering the throat is in the wrong position.”

“The main problem for most reflux patients is that the valve that stops acid from entering the throat is in the wrong position.

“That’s what causes them to have regurgitation on a daily basis.

“The new procedure involves implanting an anti-reflux device to return the valve to its correct position and maintain its natural anatomy.”

Other surgical techniques constrict the floor of the esophagus to stop acid leaking from the stomach, but this can make swallowing more difficult, especially for patients like Jeff who have pre-existing problems. there is.

“For them, this [new procedure] It’s revolutionary because they will now be eligible for surgery,” said Ahmed.

Read more from Sky News:
Christmas vegetables that may help fight cancer
UK gears up for new internet traffic record

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Reflux stops hold the stomach and esophagus in place, allowing the muscle valves between them to function properly.

Around a quarter of adults in the UK suffer from heartburn, with overeating over the festive period being a common trigger.

According to NHS Digital, finally Christmas 1 person views online advice every 13 seconds.

Acid can cause symptoms that can lead to cancer, so you should see your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than 3 to 4 weeks.

Mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications that neutralize the acid. However, more severe cases may require prescription medication.

Dr Ahmed said surgery should now be considered as an alternative to lifelong drug treatment.

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Around a quarter of UK adults suffer from heartburn

Jeff is now looking forward to his first festive season in many years.

“You can eat whatever you want this Christmas,” he said.

“We’re going to have more pigs in a blanket for dinner than we could have last year.

“I’m able to carry on with my daily life, which I wasn’t able to do before.”

Source: news.sky.com