Chris Vallance

London

Senior Broadcast Journalist at BBC

Reporter. Words for work elsewhere - a disordered miscellany I may regret later in life here. Inveterate doodler.

Articles

UK exposes Russian cyber campaign targeting support for Ukraine

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Imran Rahman-Jones |Chris Vallance

The UK has exposed what it says is a "malicious cyber campaign" targeting multiple organisations, including those involved in delivering foreign assistance to UkraineAfter a joint investigation with allies including the US, Germany and France, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said a Russian military unit had been targeting both public and private organisations since 2022. These include organisations involved in supplying defence, IT services and logistics support.
AI tool put to test sifting public views on botox and fillers

1 month ago | bbc.com | Chris Vallance

AI tool put to test sifting public views on botox and fillers Chris VallanceSenior Technology ReporterGetty ImagesAn artificial intelligence (AI) tool has been used to sort through comments about botox and lip fillers, that were submitted as part of a public consultation, in what officials said was the first use of this kind in the UK. Officials set the tool to work sifting responses to a Scottish government consultation on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Wikipedia legally challenges ‘flawed’ online safety rules

1 month ago | businessandamerica.com | Chris Vallance

Chris VallanceSenior Technology ReporterWikipedia is taking legal action against new Online Safety Act regulations it says could threaten the safety of its volunteer editors and their ability to keep harmful content off the site. The Wikimedia Foundation – the non-profit which supports the online encyclopaedia – is seeking a judicial review of rules which could mean Wikipedia is subjected to the toughest duties required of websites under the act.
Elton John and Dua Lipa seek protection from AI

1 month ago | bbc.com | Liv McMahon |Chris Vallance

Elton John and Dua Lipa seek protection from AILiv McMahon & Chris VallanceBBCDua Lipa, Sir Elton John, Sir Ian McKellen and Florence Welch are among a list of stars calling on the prime minister to update copyright laws in a way that protects them from artificial intelligence. A letter signed by more than 400 British musicians, writers and artists, addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, says failing to give that protection would mean them "giving away" their work to tech firms.
Wikipedia legally challenges 'flawed' online safety rules

1 month ago | bbc.com | Chris Vallance

Wikipedia legally challenges 'flawed' online safety rulesChris VallanceSenior Technology ReporterGetty ImagesWikipedia is taking legal action against new Online Safety Act regulations it says could threaten the safety of its volunteer editors and their ability to keep harmful content off the site.
Cyber attack causes further chaos for shoppers at M&S

2 months ago | bbc.com | Chris Vallance |Tom Gerken

Contactless payments have since been restored, the BBC has been told, however this has been questioned by some customers. BBC staff have described witnessing the impact of the suspension of contactless payments. At Euston station, in London, shop staff were seen shouting that it was cash only as the payments system was down. Disruption was also seen in Glasgow, and a store at Edinburgh Haymarket seemingly closed early.
Discord's face scanning age checks 'start of a bigger shift'

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Imran Rahman-Jones |Chris Vallance

Discord is testing face scanning to verify some users' ages in the UK and Australia. The social platform, which says it has over 200 million monthly users around the world, was initially used by gamers but now has communities on a wide range of topics including pornography. The UK's online safety laws mean platforms with adult content will need have "robust" age verification in place by July.
Thousands report Spotify problems around the world

2 months ago | bbc.com | Tom Gerken |Chris Vallance

Tom Gerken & Chris VallanceTechnology reportersTens of thousands of Spotify users around the world have reported they were unable to stream music on the app. Downdetector, which tracks platforms, showed more than 20,000 people reported Spotify was not functioning on Wednesday afternoon from 13:30 GMT. Thousands more reported issues in the US and parts of Europe. Spotify told the BBC "the issue with Search has been addressed" it was rolling out the update to its users.
Amazon joins quantum race with 'cat qubit' powered chip

Feb 27, 2025 | flipboard.com | Chris Vallance

3 hours agoHere's what happened when AI took a Rorschach testThere are so many interesting things happening in the world of AI right now.
Historic visual effects studio Technicolor collapses in UK

Feb 24, 2025 | yahoo.com | Chris Vallance |Tom Gerken

Technicolor, the visual effects (VFX) group which has worked on films ranging from Disney's 1940 classic Pinocchio to 2024 blockbuster Mufasa The Lion King, has collapsed into administration in the UK. The group owned several leading visual effects studios including MPC, Mikros Animation and The Mill, with operations in the US, UK, Canada and India. Technicolor's directors had been looking to sell the business, but were not able to find a buyer.