Google Will Launch AI Chatbot For Kids Under 13 - 1

Image by charlesdeluvio, from Unsplash

Google Will Launch AI Chatbot For Kids Under 13

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Google will soon roll out its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13, raising concerns about safety, data privacy, and misinformation risks.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Access is through parent-managed accounts using Family Link.
  • Google says chatbot won’t train on children’s data.
  • Parents can monitor and turn off Gemini access anytime.

Google plans to introduce its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13 years next week, as first reported by The New York Times . The new feature will become accessible to children with parent-controlled Google accounts through the Family Link system which allowes parents to establish email services and other features for their children.

“Gemini Apps will soon be available for your child,” Google said in an email to a parent of an 8-year-old, reported The Times. “That means your child will be able to use Gemini to ask questions, get homework help and make up stories.”

The chatbot includes safety features which prevent users from accessing harmful content according to The Times. The company spokesperson Karl Ryan explained that Gemini data from Family Link accounts will not be used to train its A.I. system.

Still, the move has raised concerns. Critics worry that giving young children access to powerful AI could confuse or mislead them, especially as these systems sometimes invent information or present themselves as human.

The Times reports that the global research office of UNICEF warned about Generative A.I. producing dangerous content because young users will have difficulty distinguishing facts from fiction.

The Times reports that the email to families from Google included some warnings about potential dangers. It stated that Gemini can produce errors, while informing parents to teach their child critical thinking skills, and to explain Gemini is not a human being.

The notification advised parents to instruct their children about protecting their personal information from the chatbot.

Although children will be able to use Gemini on their own at first, Google said parents would be notified and could control or disable access at any time. The Times reports that the company plans to notify users when their child first uses Gemini according to their statement.

Golden Chickens Back With Data-Stealing Malware - 2

Image by Max Bender, from Unsplash

Golden Chickens Back With Data-Stealing Malware

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Golden Chickens’ new malware tools, TerraStealerV2 and TerraLogger, pose rising threats by stealing browser data and recording user keystrokes, researchers warn.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • TerraStealerV2 steals browser logins, crypto wallet data, and extensions.
  • TerraLogger records keystrokes but doesn’t transmit data yet.
  • Golden Chickens spreads malware using fake resumes or job offers.

The cybersecurity researchers at Insikt Group identified two new malicious tools which belong to the well-known hacker group Golden Chickens, also known as Venom Spider. The researchers identified TerraStealerV2 and TerraLogger as new malware strains.

Golden Chickens is a financially driven threat group that provides malware to cybercriminals as part of a service. Their tools have been used by major hacking groups like FIN6 and Evilnum, linked to damages of over $1.5 billion worldwide.

TerraStealerV2 is designed to steal data from victims’ computers, including browser login credentials, crypto wallet information, and browser extensions. It grabs this data from Chrome’s login database but can’t access information protected by Chrome’s latest security upgrades.

The malware sends stolen data to a Telegram channel and the website wetransfers[.]io. It spreads through multiple file types like LNK, MSI, DLL, and EXE, and uses built-in Windows tools to avoid detection.

The second tool, TerraLogger, functions as a keylogger which logs all keyboard entries from victim computers. The tool lacks data transmission capabilities which indicates it remains unfinished or serves as a component of a comprehensive malware system.

The researchers say that Golden Chickens, which has been around since at least 2018, usually tricks victims with fake job offers or resumes to install malware. The group’s earlier attacks have affected major companies like British Airways and Ticketmaster UK.

Insikt Group warns that both tools could evolve quickly and urges organizations to take steps to protect against them before they mature further.