Epic Games adds for-kids accounts in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys

  • Epic Games has added ‘Cabined Accounts’, created specifically for kids that play Epic’s online multiplayer games.
  • If a child under the age of 13 years old (or below the age of digital consent in their country) makes an account, it will automatically be a Cabined Account.
  • The accounts will have some restrictions until a parent or guardian gives their permission.
  • These restrictions will include the disabling of text and voice chat and buying items with money.
  • These accounts will initially start rolling out in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys.
  • For more on this story, please visit the Verge website.

Apple drops plans for child sexual abuse imagery scanning

  • According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has stopped the development of technology designed to detect possible child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while it was stored on a user’s device.
  • Encryption and consumer privacy experts had warned about the risk of creating such surveillance systems that work from your devices.
  • Apple are now focusing on end-to-end encryption, including phone backups and other new features which will be aimed at protecting privacy and security while using iMessage and data stored in iCloud.
  • For more on this story, please visit the Verge website.

Schools Bill scrapped, education secretary says

  • The education secretary has said a bill designed to raise educational standards in England has been dropped.
  • The Schools Bill had included plans for a register of children who aren’t in school and measures to help with plans for all schools to join multi-academy trusts.
  • Since it was introduced last year, it has hit hurdles in its development.
  • It was confirmed that the bill will not progress to its third reading in the House of Lords because “parliamentary time has definitely been reprioritised” to focus on the rising cost of living.
  • To learn more, visit the BBC’s website.