According to recent research, frequent sexual fantasies are linked to neuroticism, a personality trait that can elevate the risk of various physical and mental health issues. A study conducted by Michigan State University reveals intriguing insights.
In this study, researchers surveyed over 5,000 American adults, examining their sexual fantasies and personality traits.
The scientists utilized the Big Five personality framework, a standard tool in psychology, to assess openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Findings indicated that individuals scoring high in neuroticism reported fantasizing about sex more frequently than their non-neurotic counterparts.
Neuroticism is characterized by rumination, self-consciousness, and a propensity for negative emotions like anger, anxiety, irritability, stress, and sadness.
Previous studies have correlated high neuroticism levels with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions.
This personality trait is also associated with a heightened risk of physical ailments, including heart disease, inflammation, immune dysfunctions, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Within sexual contexts, neuroticism can lead to lower satisfaction, heightened negative emotions, and an increased likelihood of dysfunction.
Participants with high neuroticism scores, particularly those experiencing depression or negative emotions, were more prone to report frequent sexual fantasies.
Dr. James Ravenhill, a psychologist at Royal Holloway, University of London, who was not part of the study, noted in BBC Science Focus: “Individuals high in neuroticism often struggle with emotional instability, making it challenging to manage stress.
“Sexual fantasies provide an escape from negative emotions, allowing individuals to experience more rewarding and fulfilling sexual relationships, even if only in their imaginations.”
“Individual differences in personality may help predict variations in the frequency of sexual fantasies,” the authors state. – Credit: Getty Images
Conversely, participants scoring high in conscientiousness and agreeableness tended to fantasize less frequently.
Conscientiousness refers to the traits of being responsible, organized, and motivated, while agreeableness relates to kindness and a desire to cooperate with others.
The authors attribute the lower frequency of fantasies among these individuals to their respect for and responsibility toward their partners.
“People high in agreeableness experience more positive moods and have higher relationship satisfaction, lessening their need to escape into sexual fantasies,” Ravenhill explained.
“Those high in conscientiousness may also fantasize less due to a commitment to their partners, as infidelity often contradicts their values.”
While openness has been traditionally linked to more liberal sexual attitudes, the study found no significant connection between open-mindedness and sexual fantasies.
Participants shared their preferred sexual fantasies, which the researchers categorized into four themes: exploratory (e.g., attending an orgy), intimate (e.g., making love outdoors), impersonal (e.g., watching others have sex), and sadomasochistic (e.g., being compelled to perform a task).
Same-sex sexual activity isn’t exclusive to humans; various primates engage in it too.
A recent study identified 59 non-human primate species, including bonobos, chimpanzees, and macaques, that exhibit same-sex behavior.
This extensive research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, is the most thorough review to date of same-sex behavior among primates (excluding humans). The findings challenge existing assumptions about the purpose of sexual activities within the animal kingdom and indicate that sex may serve a more complex social function.
The authors propose that same-sex behavior has evolved to assist primates in navigating complex social structures, reducing conflict, and strengthening bonds. They suggest that both genetic factors and external environmental stresses influence this behavior.
Vincent Savolainen, director of the Georgina Mace Center for the Living Planet at Imperial College London and lead author of the study, stated: “Our findings illustrate that homosexuality is not an anomaly; it’s widespread, beneficial, and essential.”
In their study, Savolainen and colleagues evaluated existing data from 491 primate species, focusing on documented instances of same-sex sexual activities.
“The behaviors observed included mounting, ventral-to-ventral, or ventral-to-dorsal contact, genital touching, and fellatio, encompassing both male-to-male and female-to-female interactions,” the study highlighted. Non-sexual same-sex interactions were excluded to maintain clarity.
Findings suggest that same-sex behavior is more prevalent among animals needing social cohesion to endure harsh environmental conditions, facing predation risks, or competing for resources. It is particularly common in social structures with rigid hierarchies, where sexual behaviors help individuals manage competition and foster alliances to reduce intergroup aggression.
“People often underestimate the significance of same-sex behavior in societal dynamics; it is as crucial as eating, fighting, parenting, and nurturing,” Savolainen remarked.
He likened same-sex sexual interactions to a form of “currency” that may enhance social standing, create opportunities, and facilitate resource sharing.
“In times of social strife, utilizing same-sex behavior can be advantageous,” Savolainen explained.
He noted that while this behavior is likely to be present in more than 23 primate species, limited data in the field and a lack of focused studies hinder comprehensive understanding.
Observing and interpreting same-sex sexual behavior can be challenging for scientists. Historically, many researchers viewed these behaviors as unusual and neglected documentation. Additionally, securing funding for studies on same-sex behavior in animals has been difficult, particularly from government sources.
“We have a plethora of species about which we lack knowledge. This knowledge gap is significant,” Savolainen warned. “Unless we incorporate same-sex behavior into our understanding of social dynamics, we can’t fully grasp how societies operate. We aim to gather more data in forthcoming studies.”
While the new research doesn’t directly relate its findings to contemporary human sexual behavior, it suggests that our ancestors experienced social and environmental pressures similar to those driving same-sex behavior in other primates.
Marlene Zook, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Minnesota who studies same-sex behavior in animals, commented on the interesting breadth of the analysis.
“The extensive range of data collected in this study is particularly impressive,” she noted.
Zook expressed no surprise at the conclusion emphasizing the influence of environmental and social factors on same-sex behavior. The study prompts a reconsideration of widespread misconceptions regarding animal sexual conduct, emphasizing its complexity beyond mere reproduction.
“Sexual behavior often transcends reproduction, a fact evident in our species. However, many tend to overlook this reality in animals,” Zook observed. “People seem to assume that animals, unlike humans, conduct sexual activities purely for procreation purposes, which is quite inaccurate.”
Zook added that the scientific community has traditionally dismissed the concept of a “gay gene” that directly influences homosexual behavior.
“No single gene dictates homosexual behavior in humans or other animals. Instead, a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors shape nearly all behaviors and traits, whether they be physical or psychological,” she concluded.
Male baboon (Papio hamadryas) showcases dominance through mounting behavior.
Credit: Ger Bosma/Alamy
Same-sex sexual behavior in monkeys and apes may enhance social standing and increase reproductive success, particularly in harsh environments with predators or limited food resources.
This conclusion stems from a study exploring variations in same-sex behavior across primate species, suggesting that such behavior, contrary to popular belief, is an adaptive trait aiding survival.
Historically, same-sex behavior has been dismissed as “unnatural.” However, it has now been documented in at least 1,500 animal species, including insects, dolphins, bison, and bonobos.
This could be just the beginning of a larger understanding; many species remain understudied. Additionally, same-sex activities may often go unrecognized due to ambiguous gender identification. Even when recognized, they may not be reported.
In research covering around 20 mammalian species over extended periods, 80% exhibit same-sex behavior. In a detailed study of a rhesus macaque colony (Macaca mulatta) in Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, researchers found that three-quarters of males engage in homosexual behavior, according to findings by Vincent Savolainen from Imperial College London.
The prevalence of same-sex behavior poses the question: why is it so common?
This phenomenon is often referred to as “Darwin’s paradox,” arising from the assumption that homosexual behavior is maladaptive, offering no reproductive advantage.
Several theories have been proposed to explain the high occurrence of same-sex behavior, despite its perceived maladaptive nature. One theory suggests that such acts may occur due to the inability of individuals to distinguish between genders. While this idea holds for simpler animals, it likely does not apply to complex animals such as apes and dolphins.
Another explanation is that same-sex behavior could be a byproduct of natural selection for other traits. For instance, some traits enhancing reproductive success in females could be linked to the increased likelihood of homosexuality in males.
Importantly, same-sex behavior may hold adaptive value. One theory suggests it aids males in forming alliances, enhancing their access to females. “Same-sex behavior serves as a social currency within these societies,” Savolainen explains.
His team analyzed data on same-sex behavior in 59 primate species, correlating it with various environmental and social factors. Notably, they observed that same-sex interactions are more prevalent in complex societies and dryer habitats where food scarcity and predation pressure are heightened.
The increased frequency of such behavior in stressful environments suggests its adaptive nature. If same-sex acts were purely for enjoyment, we would expect them to be less frequent in these conditions.
“Same-sex behavior may foster cooperation and cohesion by strengthening social bonds, which is particularly vital in challenging environments,” notes team member Chloe Coxshall, also from Imperial.
However, to establish the adaptive value, this behavior must show a link to enhanced fitness and increased offspring. “This is precisely what I aim to examine in monkey populations,” Savolainen states.
While conclusive evidence identifying same-sex behavior as adaptive in certain primate species remains elusive, scientific inquiry may soon challenge outdated perceptions surrounding this behavior.
What implications does this research hold for understanding human homosexual behavior? If validated, these findings may clarify its commonality. Researchers emphasize that these insights do not dictate moral judgments about such actions, thereby avoiding the naturalistic fallacy—wherein human behavior is evaluated through the lens of animal behavior.
Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to consider that redefining “the fittest” may be necessary in the context of survival of the fittest.
A study commissioned by law enforcement revealed that 25% of individuals either believe there is no issue with creating and sharing sexual deepfakes or feel indifferent, regardless of the subject’s consent.
In response to these findings, a senior official in law enforcement cautioned that AI is exacerbating the crisis of violence against women and girls (VAWG), with tech companies being complicit in this misconduct.
A survey involving 1,700 participants, commissioned by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser, found that 13% were comfortable with creating and sharing sexual or intimate deepfakes (content manipulated using AI without consent).
Additionally, 12% of respondents felt neutral about the moral and legal acceptability of creating and sharing such deepfakes.
Det. Church Supt Claire Hammond of the VAWG and National Center for Civil Protection emphasized that “distributing intimate images of someone without their consent, regardless of whether they are authentic, is a serious crime.”
Discussing the survey results, she remarked: “The rise of AI technology is accelerating the violence against women and girls globally. Tech companies bear responsibility for enabling this abuse, facilitating the creation and dissemination of harmful material with ease. Immediate action is required.”
She encouraged anyone affected by deepfakes to report them to authorities. Ms. Hammond stated: “This is a serious crime, and we are here to support you. Nobody should endure pain or shame in silence.”
Under new data laws, the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes without consent will be classified as a criminal offense.
A report from crime and justice consultancy Crest Advisory indicated that 7% of participants had been portrayed in a sexual or intimate deepfake. Of those, only 51% reported the incident to law enforcement. Among those who remained silent, common reasons included embarrassment and doubts regarding the seriousness of the crime being taken.
The data also pointed out that men under 45 were more likely to be involved in the creation and sharing of deepfakes. This demographic also tended to consume pornographic content, hold misogynistic views, and have a favorable attitude toward AI. However, the report noted that the correlation between age, gender, and such beliefs is weak, calling for more research to delve deeper into this connection.
One in 20 respondents admitted to having created a deepfake previously, while over 10% expressed willingness to do so in the future. Moreover, two-thirds reported having seen or potentially seen a deepfake.
Karian Desroches, the report’s author and head of policy and strategy at Crest Advisory, cautioned that the creation of deepfakes is “growing increasingly common as technology becomes more affordable and accessible.”
“While some deepfake content might seem innocuous, the majority is of a sexual nature and predominantly directed at women.”
“We are profoundly alarmed by our findings: a demographic of young individuals who actively consume pornography, exhibit misogynistic attitudes, and perceive no harm in creating or sharing sexual deepfakes of others without consent.”
“We are living in troubling times, and without immediate and concerted action in the digital arena, we jeopardize the futures of our daughters (and sons),” said Carrie Jane Beach, an advocate for stronger protections for deepfake abuse victims.
Moreover, she stated: “We are witnessing a generation of children growing up devoid of protections, laws, or regulations addressing this matter, leading to dire consequences of such unregulated freedom.
“Confronting this issue starts at home. To have any hope of elimination, we must prioritize education and foster open discussions every day.”
A 12,000-year-old clay figurine and artistic restoration showcasing a woman with a goose from Nahal Ein Geb II
Laurent Davin
A diminutive 12,000-year-old clay figure featuring a goose on the back of a woman might illustrate an animistic ritual linked to mating between a gander and a human.
Measuring just 3.7 centimeters tall, this sculpture was uncovered in 2019 at the archaeological site of Nahal Ein Geb II in Israel, though its importance wasn’t fully appreciated until 2024.
The site was inhabited by the Natufians, a group of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers who established settlements in the region. Known as the direct ancestors of the Neolithic farming communities, the Natufians are credited with early agriculture throughout the Middle East.
To the casual observer, it might be challenging to discern the figure’s components; Laurent Davin, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, expressed certainty, stating it clearly depicts a goose on the woman’s back.
“Upon extracting this small clay form from its packaging, I instantly recognized a human figure with a bird resting atop,” Davin recalls. “What I held was an extraordinary artifact, 12,000 years old, notable for both its subject and craftsmanship.”
There are ancient sculptures and paintings illustrating human-animal interactions, in addition to even older hybrid sculptures dating back 40,000 years, like the “Lion Man” discovered in Germany. Davin asserts this elegant piece is “the earliest figurine representing human-animal interaction” ever found.
Geochemical analyses indicated the statuette was heated to around 400 degrees Celsius. Davin notes the artist skillfully modeled the clay, showcasing a keen awareness of anatomy and how light and shadow play into the scene.
He and his team do not propose that the figure represents a literal event, such as a female hunter with a captured goose. Instead, Davin believes the goose was artistically rendered in a mating position.
“We view this portrayal as an imaginative interaction between animal spirits and humans,” he explains. “Such themes are prevalent in animistic cultures globally, particularly reflecting erotic dreams, shamanistic visions, and mythology.”
Researchers also found fingerprints on the figurine, likely made by its creator. Due to its small dimensions, it likely belonged to a young adult or an adult female of any gender.
Paul Tacon, a professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, not involved in the research, presents an alternative interpretation of the statue. “Having grown up in Canada and recalling Canada geese, [it] “It reminds me of their aggressive behavior. They often charge and leap onto one’s back, pecking at the head or neck,” he observes.
“The tale of a woman being pursued by a goose could represent an altercation rather than an intimate union, though the exact significance may remain elusive.”
Ancient caves, the origins of humanity: northern Spain
Explore the world’s oldest cave paintings in this picturesque region of northern Spain. Journey back 40,000 years and learn about the lives, play, and work of our ancestors. Every cave, filled with ancient Paleolithic art and awe-inspiring geological wonders, narrates a unique and timeless tale.
Engagement in sexual activity or even simple intimate contact might accelerate wound healing, especially when paired with oxytocin nasal spray.
Oxytocin, often dubbed the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” is known for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth and aiding breastfeeding. It’s also linked to social connections and intimacy. Previous studies suggest it can facilitate healing of conditions like oral ulcers, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Furthermore, a contentious relationship between partners may contribute to slower healing of blisters. Researchers, including Beate Ditzen from the University of Zurich, speculated whether a lack of oxytocin during these strained interactions could be a mediating factor.
To explore this, the team conducted a study involving 80 healthy heterosexual couples, averaging 27 years of age, all of whom had four small wounds created on their forearms through a suction device.
The couples were split into four groups, each assigned different interventions for the following week. One group received oxytocin nasal spray twice daily while engaging in a 10-minute Partner Appreciation Task (PAT) — a structured activity focusing on expressing gratitude and compliments up to three times a week.
The second group also used oxytocin but did not participate in PAT. The third group carried out PAT with a placebo spray, while the fourth group used a placebo without any PAT intervention.
Neither using oxytocin alone nor engaging in PAT with a placebo led to faster wound healing compared to the control group without spray and PAT. However, the combination of oxytocin and PAT showed some effectiveness in reducing scars’ size and depth, especially among couples who reported increased physical affection or sexual activity during the study week. This was also linked to lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone known to hinder immune function, observed in saliva samples.
“We observe enhanced wound healing in groups that incorporate PAT; however, the effects are significantly more pronounced when oxytocin is combined with spontaneous contact or intimate behaviors,”
Darryl O’Connor from the University of Leeds noted, “Our findings are intriguing as they imply that pairing oxytocin administration with positive interpersonal interactions might bolster physical recovery, opening promising avenues for future psychosocial interventions in healthcare settings.”
According to Anna Whitaker, researchers at the University of Stirling in the UK suggest that increased doses of oxytocin may yield similar benefits, particularly for older adults with generally weakened immune systems.
A chatbot platform featuring explicit scenarios involving preteen characters in illegal abuse images has raised significant concerns over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence.
A report from the Child Safety Monitoring Agency urged the UK government to establish safety guidelines for AI companies in light of an increase in technology-generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reported that they were alerted by chatbot sites offering various scenarios, including “child prostitutes in hotels,” “wife engaging in sexual acts with children while on vacation,” and “children and teachers together after school.”
In certain instances, the IWF noted that clicking the chatbot icon led to full-screen representations of child sexual abuse images, serving as a background for subsequent interactions between the bot and the user.
The IWF discovered 17 images created by AI that appeared realistic enough to be classified as child sex abuse material under the Child Protection Act.
Users of unnamed sites for security reasons also had the capability to generate additional images resembling the illegal content already accessible.
Operating from the UK and possessing global authority to monitor child sexual exploitation, the IWF stated that future AI regulations should incorporate child protection guidelines from the outset.
The government has revealed plans for AI legislation that is anticipated to concentrate on the future advancement of cutting-edge models, prohibiting the ownership and distribution of models that produce child sexual abuse in crime and police bills.
“We welcome the UK government’s initiative to combat AI-generated images and videos of child sexual abuse, along with the tools to create them. While new criminal offenses related to these issues will not be implemented immediately, it is critical to expedite this process,”
stated Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive Officer of NSPCC, as the charity emphasized the need for guidelines.
User-generated chatbots fall under the UK’s online safety regulations, which allow for substantial fines for non-compliance. The IWF indicated that the sexual abuse chatbot was created by users and site developers.
Ofcom, the UK regulator responsible for enforcing the law, remarked, “Combating child sexual exploitation and abuse remains a top priority, and online service providers failing to implement necessary safeguards should be prepared for enforcement actions.”
The IWF reported a staggering 400% rise in AI-generated abuse material reports in the first half of this year compared to the same timeframe last year, attributing this surge to advancements in technology.
While the chatbot content is accessible from the UK, it is hosted on a U.S. server and has been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the U.S. equivalent of the IWF. NCMEC stated that the report on the Cyber Tipline has been forwarded to law enforcement. The IWF mentioned that the site appears to be operated by a company based in China.
The IWF noted that some chatbot scenarios included an 8-year-old girl trapped in an adult’s basement and a preteen homeless girl being invited to a stranger’s home. In these scenarios, the chatbot presented itself as the girl while the user portrayed an adult.
IWF analysts reported accessing explicit chatbots through links in social media ads that directed users to sections containing illegal material. Other areas of the site offered legal chatbots and non-sexual scenarios.
According to the IWF, one chatbot that displayed CSAM images revealed in an interaction that it was designed to mimic preteen behavior. In contrast, other chatbots not showing CSAM indicated that they were neither dressed nor suppressed when inquiries were made by analysts.
The site recorded tens of thousands of visits, including 60,000 in July alone.
A spokesperson for the UK government stated, “UK law is explicit: creating, owning, or distributing images of child sexual abuse, including AI-generated content, is illegal… We recognize thatmore needs to be done. The government will utilize all available resources to confront this appalling crime.”
Sexual desire is frequently mistaken for sexual arousal, yet these three terms are often used interchangeably without full comprehension.
Though libido typically represents sexual desire, it’s often perceived as binary. The term “awakenings” refers to the physical changes that prepare the body for sexual activity, such as increased heart rate, altered breathing, and heightened blood flow to the genitals.
From a medical perspective, desire indicates a person’s inclination to engage in sexual activity. This is a fluid phenomenon. Similar to many human behaviors, sexual activity can become a habit. However, the frequency, duration, and type of sexual engagement vary based on what each individual finds pleasurable.
Individuals seek and engage in sex for diverse reasons. Traditionally, sexual desire is viewed as a quantifiable trait, often categorized into low or high drives. This notion has been rooted in the belief that such drives are inherent. Many women have been mischaracterized as having low sexual desire, not because they lack it, but because they may not desire sex as much as their partners.
This view has evolved with the introduction of the dual-control model of sexual responses. This model posits two independent processes influencing our sexual responses: one is excitatory (activation), while the other is inhibitory (deactivation).
The interplay between these opposing processes dictates the overall sexual response at any given moment, akin to a vehicle’s accelerator (excitability) and brakes (inhibition).
In terms of sexual activity, the levels of acceleration and braking vary among individuals. While one may generally lean towards being an accelerator or brake, each circumstance can differ significantly. Thus, desires are intricate, personal, and dynamic.
A closer examination of the science surrounding sexual desire reveals two distinct types: spontaneous desire and responsive desire. Spontaneous desires can manifest suddenly and may arise with or without external stimulation. These are often heightened in younger individuals or during the initial phases of new relationships.
Conversely, responsive desires are reactions to external stimuli, like sharing a meal with a partner, and typically become more prevalent in long-term relationships where spontaneous desires may diminish.
These two desire types are woven into alternative models. The framework discussed in our examination of women’s sexual reactions recognizes both types of desire, illustrating that they can occur before or after awakening, thereby more accurately reflecting women’s experiences with sex.
Moreover, it acknowledges the significant role intimacy—both physical and emotional—plays in a woman’s inclination to engage in sexual activity.
Numerous biological, psychological, and social factors can also influence sexual desire. For instance, physical conditions such as joint pain, vulvar discomfort, or menopausal genital symptoms can lead to a postponement of sexual engagement.
This can carry over to subsequent experiences, further delaying desire. As a result, inhibiting factors may overshadow arousal processes, dampening sexual interest.
This applies both psychologically and physically, as we naturally shy away from activities we don’t enjoy. For example, discomfort with body image or strains within a relationship can detract from the enjoyment of sexual experiences, ultimately impacting overall sexual desire.
External distractions can also obstruct desire. Everyday responsibilities—work commitments, meal preparation, child care, etc.—can interfere. With an unending to-do list and constant demands from others, it’s clear that physical and mental states affect the capacity to foster spontaneous desires.
Engaging in pleasurable, fulfilling sex is an endeavor that must be cultivated; it does not happen automatically. It’s a complex and evolving aspect requiring growth and nurturing. However, this reality is not fully recognized by many, leading to confusion about attitudes towards sex.
It doesn’t have to remain this way. A deeper understanding of the science behind desire can illuminate our motivations, contributing to a more satisfying and fulfilling sexual life.
Three former executives from the video game company Ubisoft received suspended sentences during the first significant trial linked to the gaming industry’s #MeToo movement, which aimed to address a culture of sexual and psychological harassment in the workplace.
A court in Bobigny, located north of Paris, heard testimonies on how these executives exploited their authority to intimidate and sexually harass employees, creating an atmosphere that left women feeling objectified.
A former employee recounted how, between 2012 and 2020, the Montreuil office, situated east of Paris, was rife with a toxic environment marked by bullying and sexism, which some employees compared to “legal juvenile clubs.”
Ubisoft, a family-owned French enterprise, has grown into one of the largest video game developers worldwide. The company is known for hit franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Just Dance.
State prosecutor Antoine Haushalter stated in court that the gaming world and its subculture are characterized by “systematic” sexism and potential abuse, framing it as a “turning point” for the industry.
Thomas François, a former editorial vice president at Ubisoft, 52, was found guilty of sexual harassment, psychological harassment, and attempted sexual assault. He received a suspended prison sentence of three years and was fined 30,000 euros (£26,000).
The court heard allegations that he once restrained a female colleague with tape, pushed her in a chair into an elevator, and selected a random floor. He was also accused of compelling a woman to wear a skirt and perform a handstand.
She testified, “He was my boss, and I was scared of him. He forced me to do a headstand. I complied out of fear.”
Thomas François has been convicted of sexual harassment, psychological harassment, and attempted sexual assault. Photo: Xavier Galiana/AFP/Getty
At a 2015 office Christmas party themed after Back to the Future, François allegedly approached a female staff member, expressing his admiration for 1950s attire, before attempting to kiss her while her coworkers held her back. She managed to scream and break free.
François defended himself in court by describing the workplace as one filled with a “culture of jokes,” insisting, “I never intended to hurt anyone.”
Serge Hascoët, 59, a former Chief Creative Officer and Deputy Commander at Ubisoft, was convicted of psychological harassment and complicity, although he was acquitted of charges related to sexual harassment. He received an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Hascoët had handed young female employees a tissue used for blowing his nose, remarking, “You can sell it; it’s worth a fortune at Ubisoft.” Witnesses also recounted instances of him bullying his assistant, demanding personal tasks like waiting at his house for package deliveries.
Hascoët asserted in court that he was unaware of any harassment occurring.
Hascoët’s attorney, Jean Guillaume Le Mintier, announced that his client is contemplating an appeal.
Guillaume Patrux, 41, a former game director at Ubisoft, was found guilty of psychological harassment, receiving a 12-month suspension and a fine of 10,000 euros.
The court was informed that he had physically assaulted walls, struck staff, cracked a whip close to a colleague’s face, threatened to fire an employee, and played with a lighter near another worker’s face while offering a man’s beard. He denied the allegations.
IIt started with an anonymous email. It read, “That's true. I'm sorry to have to contact you.” Below that word were three links to internet forums. “HUGE trigger warning…they contain vile photoshopped images of you.”
Jody (not her real name) froze. The 27-year-old from Cambridgeshire has had problems in the past with her photos stolen to set up dating profiles and social media accounts. She called the police, but was told there was nothing they could do and pushed it to the back of her mind.
However, I couldn't ignore this email that arrived on March 10, 2021. She clicked on the link. “It was like time stood still,” she said. “I remember screaming so loud. I just completely broke down.”
Forum, an alternative porn website, has hundreds of photos of her alone, on holiday and with friends and housemates, alongside a caption labeling them as 'sluts'. The comments included calling her a “slut” and “prostitute,” asking people to rate her, and asking her what kind of fantasies she had. they will.
The person who posted the photo also shared the invitation with other members of the forum. It involved using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit “deepfakes,” digitally altered content, using fully clothed photos of Jodi taken from her private Instagram.
“I've never done anything like this before but I love seeing her being fake…happy to chat and show more of her too…:D,” they wrote. Ta. In response, users posted hundreds of composite images and videos of the woman's body and Jodi's face. One posted an image of her wearing high school girl clothes and being raped by a teacher in a classroom. Others showed her full “nude”. “I was having sex in every room,” she said. “The shock and devastation still haunts me.”
The now-deleted fake images show that a growing number of synthetic, sexually explicit photos and videos are being created, traded and sold across social media apps, private messages and gaming platforms in the UK and around the world. Masu. As well as adult forums and porn sites.
Inside the helpline office. Photo: Jim Wileman/Observer
Last week, the government announced a “crackdown” on blatant deepfakes, expanding current laws that make it a criminal offense not only to share images, but also to create them without consent, which will be illegal from January 2024. I promised. Someone making them for you – is not going to be covered. The government will also ask whether the crime was consensual (campaigners say it must be) or whether the victim can prove that the perpetrator had malicious intent. I haven't confirmed whether it is necessary or not yet.
At the Revenge Porn Helpline's headquarters in a business park on the outskirts of Exeter, senior practitioner Kate Worthington, 28, says stronger laws with no loopholes are desperately needed.
Launched in 2015, the helpline is a dedicated service for victims of intimate image abuse, part-funded by the Home Office. Deepfake incidents are at an all-time high, with reports of synthetic image abuse increasing by 400% since 2017. However, it remains small compared to overall intimate image abuse. There were 50 incidents last year, accounting for about 1% of the total. caseload. The main reason is that it's vastly underreported, Worthington says. “Victims often don't know their images are being shared.”
The researchers found that many perpetrators of deepfake image abuse appear to be motivated by “collector culture.” “A lot of times it's not with the intention of the person knowing,” Worthington said. “Buyed, sold, exchanged, traded for sexual gratification or for status. If you are finding this content and sharing it alongside your Snap handle, Insta handle, or LinkedIn profile. , you may receive glory.'' Many are created using the “Nude'' app. In March, a charity that runs a revenge porn helpline reported 29 such services to Apple, which removed them.
There have also been cases where composite images have been used to directly threaten or humiliate people. The helpline has heard cases of boys creating fake incestuous images of female relatives. A man addicted to porn creates a composite photo of his partner engaging in non-consensual sex in real life. Stories of people who were photographed at the gym and deepfake videos made to make it look like they were having sex. Most, but not all, of those targeted are women. Approximately 72% of the deepfake incidents identified by the helpline involved women. The oldest was in his 70s.
There have also been cases where Muslim women have been targeted with deepfake images of themselves wearing revealing clothing or without their hijabs.
Regardless of intent, the impact is often extreme. “Many of these photos are so realistic that your coworkers, neighbors, and grandma won't be able to tell the difference,” says Worthington.
Kate Worthington, Senior Helpline Practitioner. Photo: Jim Wileman/Observer
The Revenge Porn Helpline helps people remove abusive images. Amanda Dashwood, 30, who has worked at the helpline for two years, says this is usually a caller's priority. “It says, 'Oh my God, help me. I need to delete this before people see it,'” she says.
She and her colleagues on the helpline team, eight women, most under 30, have a variety of tools at their disposal. If the victim knows where the content was posted, the team will issue a takedown request directly to the platform. Some people ignore the request completely. However, this helpline has partnered with most of the major helplines, from Instagram and Snapchat to Pornhub and OnlyFans, and has a successful removal rate of 90%.
If the victim doesn't know where the content was posted, or suspects it's being shared more widely, they can send a selfie to be run through facial recognition technology (with their consent) or vice versa. Ask them to use image search. tool. Although this tool is not foolproof, it can detect material being shared on the open web.
The team can also advise you on steps to stop your content from being posted online again. They plan to direct people to a service called StopNCII. The tool was created by online safety charity SWGFL, which also runs a revenge porn helpline, with funding from Meta.
Users can upload real or synthetic photos, and the technology creates a unique hash and shares it with partner platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Pornhub, and Reddit (but not X or Discord). If someone tries to upload that image, it will be automatically blocked. As of December, 1 million images had been hashed and 24,000 uploads were proactively blocked.
Alex Wolff was found guilty of a derogatory nature.I'm posting images, not soliciting them. Photo: Handout
Some people call the police, but responses vary widely depending on the force used. Victims who try to report fraudulent use of composite images are told that police cannot cooperate with edited images or that prosecution is not in the public interest.
Helpline manager Sophie Mortimer recalls another incident in which police said: “No, that's not you. It's not you.” It’s someone who looks like you,” and refused to investigate. “I feel like police sometimes look for reasons not to pursue these types of cases,” Mortimer said. “We know it's difficult, but that doesn't negate the real harm that's being caused to people.”
In November, Sam Miller, assistant chief constable and director of the violence against women and girls strategy at the National Police Chiefs' Council, told a parliamentary inquiry into intimate image abuse that police lacked a “deep understanding of violent behavior”. I'm worried,” he said. Discrepancies in laws and precedents. “Yesterday, one victim told me that out of the 450 victims of deepfake images she has spoken to, only two have had a positive experience with law enforcement,” she said. Ta.
For Jodi, it is clear that there is a need to raise awareness of the misuse of deepfakes, not only among law enforcement but also the general public.
After being alerted to her deepfake, she spent hours scrolling through posts trying to piece together what happened.
She noticed that they were not shared by strangers, but by her close friends alex wolf, a Cambridge University graduate and former BBC Young Composer of the Year. He had posted a photo of her with a cut out of him. “I knew I hadn't posted that photo on Instagram and only sent it to him. That's when the penny dropped.”
The sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has filed a lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused her on a regular basis over several years as a child.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, alleges the abuse began when Ann Altman was 3 years old and Sam Altman was 12. The complaint alleges that the last abuse occurred after he was an adult, but his sister, known as Annie, was still a child.
The CEO of ChatGPT Developers posted: Joint statement on X”, he signed alongside his mother Connie and brothers Max and Jack, denying the allegations and calling them “totally false.”‘
“Our family loves Annie and is extremely concerned about her health,” the statement said. “Caring for family members facing mental health challenges is incredibly difficult.”
It added: “Annie has made deeply hurtful and completely untrue allegations about our family, especially Sam. This situation has caused immeasurable pain to our entire family.”
Ann Altman previously made similar allegations against her brother on social media platforms.
In a court filing, her lawyer said she had experienced mental health issues as a result of the alleged abuse. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and more than $75,000 (£60,000) in damages and legal fees.
A statement from the family said Anne Altman had made “deeply hurtful and completely false allegations” about the family and accused them of demanding more money.
He added that they offered her “monthly financial assistance” and “attempted to receive medical assistance,” but she “refused conventional treatment.”
The family said they had previously decided not to publicly respond to the allegations, but chose to do so following her decision to take legal action.
Sam Altman, 39, is one of the most prominent leaders in technology and the co-founder of OpenAI, best known for ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot launched in 2022.
The billionaire temporarily stepped down as chief executive in November 2023 after being ousted from the company’s board for “failing to consistently communicate openly.” Although nearly all employees threatened to resign, he returned to his job the following week. Altman returned to the board last March following an external investigation.
Child safety experts have claimed that Apple lacks effective monitoring and scanning protocols for child sexual abuse materials on its platforms, posing concerns about addressing the increasing amount of such content associated with artificial intelligence.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in the UK has criticized Apple for underestimating the prevalence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its products. Data obtained by the NSPCC from the police shows that perpetrators in England and Wales use Apple’s iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime for storing and sharing more CSAM than in all other reported countries combined.
Based on information collected through a Freedom of Information request and shared exclusively with The Guardian, child protection organizations discovered that Apple was linked to 337 cases of child abuse imagery offenses recorded in England and Wales between April 2022 and March 2023. In 2023, Apple reported only 267 suspected instances of child abuse imagery globally to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), contrasting with much higher numbers reported by other leading tech companies, with Google submitting over 1.47 million and Meta reporting more than 30.6 million, as per NCMEC reports mentioned in the Annual Report.
All US-based technology companies are mandated to report any detected cases of CSAM on their platforms to the NCMEC. Apple’s iMessage service is encrypted, preventing Apple from viewing user messages, similar to Meta’s WhatsApp, which reported about 1.4 million suspected CSAM cases to the NCMEC in 2023.
Richard Collard, head of child safety online policy at NSPCC, expressed concern over Apple’s discrepancy in handling child abuse images and urged the company to prioritize safety and comply with online safety legislation in the UK.
Apple declined to comment but referenced a statement from August where it decided against implementing a program to scan iCloud photos for CSAM, citing user privacy and security as top priorities.
In late 2022, Apple abandoned plans for an iCloud photo scanning tool called Neural Match, which would have compared uploaded images to a database of known child abuse images. This decision faced opposition from digital rights groups and child safety advocates.
Experts are worried about Apple’s AI system, Apple Intelligence, introduced in June, especially as AI-generated child abuse content poses risks to children and law enforcement’s ability to protect them.
Child safety advocates are concerned about the increase in AI-generated CSAM reports and the potential harm caused by such images to survivors and victims of child abuse.
Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, criticized Apple’s insufficient efforts in detecting CSAM and urged the company to enhance its safety measures.
Child safety experts worry about the implications of Apple’s AI technology on the safety of children and the prevalence of CSAM online.
Year: The word “aura” comes from Latin and Ancient Greek and originally meant a gentle breeze. Today it’s more commonly used to describe the subtle, pervasive quality that emanates from someone, which is exactly what we’re talking about here.
And Auramax? It’s new. It’s similar to looksmaxxing, but…
Hold on, what is looksmaxxing? For example, exercising or making cat noises will help you maximize your physical attractiveness…
Are you meowing like a cat? In practice, this means pushing the tongue up in the mouth to improve the jaw and facial structure.
What happens if I get tetanus? It’s a shame, but it’s worth it. Anyway, Auramax is the same kind of idea, but aimed at improving your energy and overall presence.
And where is this aura?Is amaxxing happening?Mainly TikTok, However, other platforms are available.
What should I do? You could also learn from 18-year-old Canadian content creator, Frankie Mekhi. Share your aura upgrade It has 250,000 followers.
It 250,001. Frankie’s number one rule is “Don’t try to emulate someone else’s aura. It has to come from within, it has to be authentic.”
[Takes notes: writes “within” and “authentic”]Second rule: No barking.
Don’t bark? Don’t talk too much!
[Zips mouth closed] Next, you need to find your purpose.
[Trying to talk with mouth closed] it is In capital letters? That’s correct. Also, people with auras have achieved great things in some way.
Hmm, that might be difficult. Maybe your aura score has dropped too quickly. Aura scores are interesting because they actually happen on TikTok, where users are giving and taking away aura points from other users.
How does scoring work? Well, doing something impressive like having other friends with auras might give you points, or it might cost you points…
Bark? Possibly, but Susanna Merrick says there is no such thing as a premium aura level.
Who is Susanna Merrick?? A New York-based aura stylist. “People don’t need to know who they are.” she told The Cut. “They need to discover who they are.”
I would like to know, is Auramax mainly for men? Mekhi said his audience is primarily young men, but The Cut reported that young women are also joining the conversation about Auramax, but in a different way.
What’s the difference? Instead of trying to exude presence, ask how many aura points you might lose because of how you acted during a difficult experience. Bullying or sorrow.
please tell me: “Or you can just be yourself and not worry about how much of a person you are or how other people perceive you.”
Do not say: “You either get it or you don’t. And if you try too hard to get it, you definitely won’t get it, brother.”
Child sexual exploitation is increasing online, with artificial intelligence generating new forms such as images and videos related to child sexual abuse.
Reports of online child abuse to NCMEC increased by more than 12% from the previous year to over 36.2 million in 2023, as announced in the organization’s annual CyberTipline report. Most reports were related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including photos and videos. Online criminals are also enticing children to send nude images and videos for financial gain, with increased reports of blackmail and extortion.
NCMEC has reported instances where children and families have been targeted for financial gain through blackmail using AI-generated CSAM.
The center has received 4,700 reports of child sexual exploitation images and videos created by generative AI, although tracking in this category only began in 2023, according to a spokesperson.
NCMEC is alarmed by the growing trend of malicious actors using artificial intelligence to produce deepfaked sexually explicit images and videos based on real children’s photos, stating that it is devastating for the victims and their families.
The group emphasizes that AI-generated child abuse content hinders the identification of actual child victims and is illegal in the United States, where production of such material is a federal crime.
In 2023, CyberTipline received over 35.9 million reports of suspected CSAM incidents, with most uploads originating outside the US. There was also a significant rise in online solicitation reports and exploitation cases involving communication with children for sexual purposes or abduction.
Top platforms for cybertips included Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Google, Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter.
Out of 1,600 global companies registered for the CyberTip Reporting Program, 245 submitted reports to NCMEC, including US-based internet service providers required by law to report CSAM incidents to CyberTipline.
NCMEC highlights the importance of quality reports, as some automated reports may not be actionable without human involvement, potentially hindering law enforcement in detecting child abuse cases.
NCMEC’s report stresses the need for continued action by Congress and the tech community to address reporting issues.
Data from a study by Gwynyay Maske and colleagues at University College Dublin in Ireland shows that spectator sports are good for kids – good for them.
The data covers major American football, association football (soccer), and rugby union tournaments in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
The researchers found that, “with a few exceptions,” these popularity contests “continue to increase in number of births and/or fertility 9 (±1) months after notable team wins and/or tournaments.” “It was associated with an increase in the ratio.” .
Sporting events at this level seem to work that way for the winners, but not for the losers, says a study published in the journal Peer J. No joke, the downsides are significant. “Unexpected losses by Premier Soccer League teams were associated with fewer births nine months later.”
celebratory sex
The study of sports viewing begins with the following fascinating sentence: “Major sports tournaments may be associated with increased birth rates nine months later, possibly due to celebratory sex.”
The quartet candidly write about their observations:[Some people] For birthdays, holidays, graduations, proms, new car “run-in” sessions, we planned days and weeks in advance to have “celebratory” sex in a slow, long park… Parking Sex during men and women was primarily a positive sexual and romantic experience for both parties. “
The abstract climax of this study ends with the simple idea that “future research on sex in parked cars in urban settings is recommended.”
Timeliness of time
The eternal question, “What is time?'' staggered onto the stage. The first was the Finnish report on Russia's time zone, and the second was the varied actions of the Kazakh state.
Russia has 11 time zones. Piattyeva and Vasileva tell us that “the existence of multiple time zones indicates the lack of a unified spatiotemporal nature.” And they express ideas that no one has ever been able to articulate clearly. “Bureaucratically, the desire for simultaneity and synchronicity takes the form of meticulously ordering sequences of actions through normative documents.” They argue that there is a hinge to everything. is revealed. “In our analysis, we repeatedly returned to the most difficult question: What is time?”
On its own, the Kazakh government added clarification, surprise, and perhaps confusion to the general timeliness. On March 1, Kazakhstan changed its two time zones to a single time zone nationwide.
period of central asia reported two weeks before the big day that “not all citizens are happy about this, and some claim it will affect their health.” times In an interview with Sultan Turekhanov of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, he warned: In particular, it is a change in the temporal structure parameters of human biological rhythms. ”
The feedback is, above all, a tribute to the audacity of those who dare to play with the temporal structural parameters of the biological rhythms of human tissues.
unread, non-existent
How many studies are there that no one reads…and eventually disappear? And how many studies disappear that no one reads even before they disappear? Both? Rough answer to the question – it's not exactly the same question. – Now it exists.
The first question was answered almost 20 years ago when Lockman I. Mejo of Indiana University Bloomington published a paper (which has not disappeared) called “.The rise of citation analysis”.
Meho writes: “It is a solemn fact that approximately 90% of papers published in academic journals are not cited at all. In fact, 50% of his papers are never read by anyone other than the authors, reviewers, and journal editors. not.”
Martin Paul Eve from Birkbeck, University of London got the second question right. His new research (also not extinct yet) is called “.Poor preservation of digital academic journals: A study of 7 million articles”. The study “evaluated” 7,438,037 academic citations with unique identification codes called DOIs. Now, in the research, we attempted to evaluate. According to Eve's report, 2,056,492 (27.64%) of them appear to be missing.
Eve also said that 32.9 percent of organizations responsible for digitally preserving documents “do not appear to be doing adequate digital preservation.”
Feedback: old ideals: The study should raise more questions than answers.
Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.
Have a story for feedback?
You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please enter your home address. This week's and past feedback can be found on our website.
According to an internal document released late Wednesday, Meta estimates that about 100,000 children on Facebook and Instagram are subjected to online sexual harassment every day, including “pictures of adult genitalia.” The unsealed legal filings include several allegations against Meta, based on information the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office learned from presentations and communications between Meta employees. These allegations describe an incident in 2020 in which the 12-year-old daughter of an Apple executive was solicited via Instagram’s messaging product, IG Direct.
In testimony before the US Congress late last year, a senior Meta employee described how his daughter was recruited through Instagram. His efforts to resolve the issue were ignored, he said. This suit is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office on December 5, alleging that Meta’s social network has become a marketplace for child predators. The state’s attorney general, Raul Torrez, accused Meta of allowing adults to find, send messages to, and groom children. Meta released a statement in response to Wednesday’s filing, stating, “We want to provide teens with a safe and age-appropriate online experience, and we have over 30 tools to support them and their parents.”
The lawsuit also referenced a 2021 internal presentation on child safety, in which Meta states that it has “poorly invested in the sexual expression of minors on IG, with significant sexual commentary on content posted by minors.” The complaint also highlights Meta employees’ concerns about the safety of children. Meta’s statement also said the company “has taken significant steps to prevent unwanted contact from teens, especially adults.”
The New Mexico lawsuit follows a Guardian investigation in April that revealed how Meta failed to report or detect the use of its platform for child trafficking. According to documents included in the lawsuit, Meta employees “coordinate human trafficking operations” and ensure that “every step of human exploitation (recruitment, conditioning, and exploitation) is expressed on our platform.” But an internal email from 2017 said executives opposed scanning Facebook Messenger for “harmful content,” citing the service’s desire to “provide more privacy.” In December, Meta received widespread criticism for introducing end-to-end encryption for messages sent via Facebook and Messenger.
The Guardian has revealed that social media companies relying on artificial intelligence software to manage their platforms are producing unworkable reports on child sexual abuse cases, leaving U.S. police unable to uncover potential leads, which is delaying the investigation into suspected looters.
By law, U.S.-based social media companies are required to report child sexual abuse content detected on their platforms to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which serves as a national clearinghouse for child abuse information and forwards information to relevant law enforcement agencies in the United States and around the world. The company said it received more than 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation and approximately 88 million images, videos, and other files from businesses and the general public in 2022.
Meta is the largest reporter of this information, with over 27 million (84%) generated by Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms in 2022. NCMEC is partially funded by the Department of Justice and also receives private sources of corporate donations.
Social media companies, including Meta, use AI to detect and report suspicious content on their sites and employ human moderators to send some flagged content to law enforcement. However, U.S. law enforcement agencies can only disclose AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by serving a search warrant on a company that has filed a report, which can add days or even weeks to the investigation process.
“If a company reports a file to NCMEC and does not indicate that it viewed the file before reporting, we will not be able to open the file,” said Staka Shehan, vice president of analytical services at NCMEC.
To protect your privacy under the Fourth Amendment, neither law enforcement officials nor the federally funded NCMEC will issue a search warrant unless the contents of the report are clear and first reviewed by a social media company representative.
NCMEC staff and law enforcement agencies cannot legally see the content of AI-generated content that is not seen by humans, which can stall investigations into suspected predators for several weeks, resulting in the loss of evidence that may be possible to connect.
“Any delay [in viewing the evidence] “The longer criminals go undetected, the more detrimental it is to ensuring community safety,” said an assistant U.S. attorney in California, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They are dangerous to all children.”
In December, the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that its social network has become a marketplace for child predators and that Meta has repeatedly failed to report illegal activity on its platform. woke up. In response, Meta said its priority was to combat child sexual abuse content.
The state attorney general laid the blame for the fight to send actionable information at the feet of Meta. “Reports showing the inefficiency of the company’s AI-generated cyber information systems prove what we said in the complaint,” Raul Torrez said in a statement to the Guardian.
To ensure the safety of children, keep parents informed, and enable law enforcement to effectively investigate and prosecute online sex crimes against children, the company is reforming, staffing levels, and policies. , it’s long past time to implement algorithmic changes,” Torrez added.
Despite legal limitations on moderation AI, social media companies are likely to increase its use in the near future. In 2023, OpenAI, developer of ChatGPT, announced they claimed that large-scale language models can do the job of human content moderators and have roughly the same accuracy.
However, child safety experts say that the AI software used by social media companies to moderate content already knows the digital fingerprints of images, known as hashes, and that the AI software used by social media companies to moderate content cannot be used to detect known cases of child sexual abuse. It claims to be effective only when identifying images of Lawyers interviewed said AI would be ineffective when newly created images or when known images or videos are altered.
“There is always concern about cases involving newly identified victims, and because they are new, the materials do not have a hash value,” said the director of the Zero Abuse Project, a nonprofit organization focused on combating child abuse.
said senior lawyer Kristina Korobov. . “If humans were doing the work, there would be more discoveries of newly discovered victims.”
Activision Blizzard executives are considering a possible countersuit against California regulators who claimed the gaming giant had a toxic “frat boy” workplace, but only dropped the lawsuit last week, On The Money reported.
The California Department of Civil Rights, which had been investigating the developer of “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush” since 2021, dropped the explosive allegations on Friday.
“Neither the courts nor independent investigations have established systematic or widespread sexual harassment,” authorities acknowledged in court documents last week.
California’s stunning admissions say there is no evidence that “senior executives ignored, condoned, or condoned a culture of systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination,” and that neither Activision’s board of directors nor CEO Bobby Kotick responded to complaints of misconduct. He also admitted that he had not handled the matter inappropriately.
Nevertheless, Activision ended up paying a $54 million settlement to resolve the lawsuit ($47 million of which was earmarked for pay disparity claims).
Activision ended up paying a $54 million settlement, with $47 million of that going toward pay disparity claims. Paola Morongello
This has angered some Activision executives, who are drafting defamation lawsuits against the company.
The agency’s former director, Janet Whipper, was fired by Gavin Newson a year after she sued Activision, accusing Tesla of “racial discrimination,” a claim that was also unsubstantiated, according to court documents. It turned out that there was no such thing.
Other Activision insiders want to simply put this chapter on the back burner, concerned that an appeal would be tantamount to returning to the belly of the beast, insiders said.
Accusations that women were “subjected to constant sexual harassment, including groping” and that management fostered a “sexist culture” were enough to wipe the company’s market capitalization by $20 billion in a few months. Ta.
The case helped spur Activision’s partnership with Microsoft, which won full regulatory approval earlier this year.
Microsoft reportedly pursued a $75 billion deal after seeing the Diablo maker’s stock price plummet.
Hyperloop One, the high-speed rail startup backed by Elon Musk whose plans were derailed by project delays and bizarre sexual harassment allegations against some executives and backers, plans to shut down.
The company has ordered its remaining employees, about 100, down from 200 at the beginning of this year, to oversee the sale of assets before their employment ends on Dec. 31, according to reports. bloomberg.
Hyperloop, which has raised more than $450 million since its founding in 2014, has gained public attention with its promise to modernize transportation technology with trains that travel at airplane-like speeds through major U.S. cities, according to Pitchbook. Collected.
The company is based in Las Vegas, where it has a small test track to develop a “vacuum tube” transportation system in which pods travel at 1,260 miles per hour.
In 2019, the company announced that Hyperloop technology could transport passengers from New York City to Washington, D.C., in just 30 minutes. By contrast, Acela trains typically take three and a half hours to travel between the two hubs.
Hyperloop One, the Richard Branson-backed ultra-high-speed train startup, is shutting down and selling assets after abandoning its “vacuum tube” transportation system in which pods travel at 1,260 miles per hour. James Messerschmitt
At the time, the company touted a deal in the works to install a hyperloop system between Mumbai and Pune in India, but that ambitious plan was abandoned last year.
The startup’s remaining intellectual property will now be transferred to DP World, which will also serve as title partner for the DP World Tour, part of a new golf entity between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf.
It’s unclear whether the shell company deal was an attempt to take Hyperloop public, with the futuristic company having acquired the backing of a Shaquille O’Neal-backed special purpose acquisition company just a few months ago. I was trying that.
Hyperloop has struggled to make any progress for years, despite backing from Richard Branson (who briefly led the company to adopt the name Virgin Hyperloop One) and Elon Musk. Not yet.
According to Bloomberg, in the early days of Hyperloop, co-founder Brogan Bambrogan would arrive at work to find a rope tied to a chair.
And in 2017, co-executive chairman Shervin Pishevar came under fire after at least six allegations of sexual harassment and assault by women, including rape at a luxury London hotel, all of which he claimed I’m denying it.
Pishevar’s brother, Afshin Pishevar, was the one who left the rope that Bambrogan found on his office chair. Mr. Bambrogan was visiting from his home in Washington to join the company as general counsel, and he overstayed his welcome as a guest. bloomberg report.
Hyperloop has been having problems for years. In 2017, co-executive chairman Shervin Pishevar resigned amid six allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Getty Images
Branson took the job in 2017 after Shervin Pishevar resigned from the company to recuse himself from the charges, shortly after his own sexual misconduct allegations became questionable.
Singer Antonia Ienae claims the British millionaire stuck his face between her breasts and “motorboated” her while she was attending a party on Necker Island in the Caribbean in 2010. did.
“We were by the bar and he was saying goodbye to everyone. He came up to me and shoved his face into my chest,” she told the London Sun at the time. Ta. “He said, ‘Brrrrrrrr,’ and walked away. It was surreal and completely out of the blue.”
According to Bloomberg, in the early days of Hyperloop, co-founder Brogan Bambrogan (left, with Sharvin Pishevar) arrived at work to find a rope tied to his chair. AFP (via Getty Images)
Jenna also claimed that her shaggy-haired boss at Virgin begged her to go topless at a party, according to The Sun, which is owned by the Post’s parent company News Corp.
A year after allegations of sexual misconduct, Russian billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov, one of Hyperloop’s directors, has been arrested in Moscow on charges of fraud and embezzlement unrelated to his work with Hyperloop, according to Bloomberg. was arrested.
At the time, Magomedov’s lawyer said he was appealing his arrest.
The Hyperloop had grand plans to transport passengers from New York City to Washington, D.C., in just 30 minutes instead of the usual 3 hours and 30 minutes. Ali Haider/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockHyperloop originally promised a 300-mile subway system connecting Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. AFP (via Getty Images)
Dubai-based logistics company DP World has been backing Hyperloop since 2016 and orchestrated Hyperloop’s merger with a shell company in April, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg.
At the time, the value of most types of stock was valued at zero, making the shell company’s shareholders the sole owners of Hyperloop, the media reported.
The Post has reached out to Hyperloop and DP World for comment.
O’Neal’s deal with Forest Road Acquisition Corp. II would have listed Hyperloop on the New York Stock Exchange at a valuation of $600 million, but the deal fell through and tied it to Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Serious doubts arose as to whether a 300-mile freight system would become a reality. It was a realistic goal.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
