Good evening,
Elliott Investment Management is eyeing a £3 billion-plus sale of UK data centre giant Ark, as AI-driven demand surges. OpenAI rolls out parental controls for ChatGPT after a teen suicide lawsuit.
Anthropic launches Claude 4.5 with 30-hour coding stamina, and Microsoft integrates it into 365 Copilot. The UK government steps in with a £1.5 billion loan to rescue Jaguar Land Rover after a crippling cyberattack.
Meanwhile, Revolut eyes a $75 billion dual listing in London and New York. Tim Berners-Lee warns the web has lost its soul. Amazon prepares to ditch Android for its own Vega OS on Fire TV.
The UK cracks down on cyberflashing, making it a priority offence with fines up to 10 percent of global revenue.
All that and more. Let’s dive in…
DRIVING THE CONVERSATION TODAY
UK makes cyberflashing a priority offence
The UK government has designated cyberflashing, or sending unsolicited sexual images, as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. Platforms like dating apps and social media must now proactively prevent users from receiving such content via detection tools or moderation.
Non-compliance risks fines up to 10 percent of global revenue or a UK service ban. The law responds to data showing 1 in 3 teenage girls have received explicit images. Part of the “Plan for Change” to halve violence against women and girls, it follows the UK’s first cyberflashing prosecution in February 2024.
Elliott considers £3 billion-plus sale of Ark Data Centres
U.S. hedge fund Elliott Investment Management is exploring a sale of its UK-based Ark Data Centres in a deal that could exceed £3 billion ($4 billion). Having bought Ark in 2012 and failed to secure acceptable offers in 2023, Elliott is now capitalizing on soaring demand for AI and cloud infrastructure post-ChatGPT.
Ark, headquartered in Wiltshire, also runs Crown Hosting Data Centres in partnership with the UK government, giving it exclusive access to public sector hosting needs. The potential sale aligns with global AI infrastructure booms, including OpenAI and SoftBank’s $500 billion Stargate project and SC Capital’s bid for Global Switch. Neither Elliott nor Ark has commented.
UK backs JLR with £1.5 billion cyberattack loan
The UK government has guaranteed a £1.5 billion loan to Jaguar Land Rover after a major cyberattack forced weeks of production shutdowns, threatening 120,000 supply chain jobs. The hack, linked to the same group behind breaches at Marks & Spencer and Co-op, led JLR to shut its network on 31 August, costing an estimated £50 million.
Owned by Tata Motors, JLR admitted data was stolen and faced criticism for outsourcing cybersecurity to Tata Consultancy Services, believed to be the hackers’ entry point. The five-year, government-backed loan is the first of its kind following a cyber incident. Experts warn such bailouts could incentivize future attacks. JLR, which lacked cyber insurance, expects to restart production “in the coming days.”
OpenAI adds parental controls to ChatGPT
OpenAI has introduced parental controls for ChatGPT on web and mobile, following a lawsuit from parents of a California teen who died by suicide after allegedly receiving harmful advice from the chatbot.
The new system lets parents and teens link accounts to enable safeguards: limit sensitive content, control chat memory, restrict model training, set quiet hours, and disable voice or image features. Parents won’t see chat logs but may get alerts for safety risks. With 700 million weekly users, OpenAI is also building an age prediction system to auto-apply teen-safe settings, amid growing regulatory pressure on AI’s impact on minors.
Anthropic launches Claude 4.5, powers Microsoft 365 Copilot
Anthropic has released Claude 4.5, touting major gains in coding endurance, scientific reasoning, and financial analysis. The model can now autonomously code for up to 30 hours, up from seven, and scores 60 percent on system dexterity benchmarks, versus 40 percent previously.
Rather than chase consumer hype, Anthropic is targeting enterprise users in regulated industries. In a major validation, Microsoft will integrate Claude into 365 Copilot, adding “Agent Mode” in Excel and Word, diversifying beyond its OpenAI reliance. Backed by Alphabet and Amazon, Anthropic is betting that reliability and strong guardrails will win the AI race.
FUNDING FLASH
MyEdSpace raises $15 million to expand live online tutoring
London edtech startup MyEdSpace has secured $15 million (£11.15 million) in Series A funding to scale its live online tutoring platform connecting students with top UK educators. Founded in 2022, it has already served 16,000 students this year.
Co-founder Sean Hirons said the funding will help provide free access for students on free school meals and support U.S. expansion. The round was led by White Star Capital, with Educapital, Emerge, Active Partners, and Coalition Capital participating, highlighting investor confidence in tech solutions to the teacher shortage and attainment gap.
OXCCU raises £20.75 million for sustainable jet fuel
Oxford spin-out OXCCU has raised £20.75 million in Series B funding to scale its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology. Using a patented iron-based catalyst, it converts waste gases directly into jet-fuel-range hydrocarbons in a single step, cutting cost and complexity.
Investors include Orlen VC, Safran, IAG, Aramco Ventures, and the University of Oxford. Its OX1 demo plant is live at London Oxford Airport; OX2, a commercial-scale facility, is due in 2026. The company plans to license its process globally to decarbonize aviation and produce sustainable chemicals.
Willo raises £3 million to fight AI-generated job fraud
Glasgow recruitment tech startup Willo has raised £3 million from Mimecast co-founder Peter Bauer to combat fraudulent and AI-generated job applications. Its new Verified Profiles feature automatically checks identity, education, work history, and skills using third-party data.
Bauer, who has now invested £3.7 million in Willo, will take a strategic role as the company expands into North America. With remote hiring expanding risk, Willo aims to restore trust in recruitment through structured interviews and automated verification.
Expeditions closes €100 million-plus for defence tech fund
European security tech investor Expeditions has raised over €100 million for its second fund, targeting €150 million by year-end. Founded by defence experts Dr. Mikolaj Firlej and Stanislaw Kastory, the firm backs startups in AI, cybersecurity, quantum, autonomy, and space.
Fund II has already invested in seven companies, supporting nearly 30 percent of Europe’s top 30 defence startups. Limited partners include the NATO Innovation Fund and Polish Development Fund. Expeditions aims to strengthen Europe’s security tech ecosystem amid rising global threats.
STILL DEVELOPING
Revolut eyes $75 billion dual London-NY listing
Revolut is considering a $75 billion dual listing in London and New York, which would make it the first company to enter the FTSE 100 while floating in New York, and instantly rank among London’s top 15 most valuable firms.
The move follows UK reforms easing FTSE 100 entry rules and Revolut’s recent £3 billion UK investment, 1,000 new jobs, and Canary Wharf HQ opening. The company is currently focused on secondary share sales and launching its UK bank before a full IPO. A successful listing would signal renewed confidence in London’s markets.
Amazon to replace Android with Vega OS on Fire TV
Amazon is preparing to replace Android with its own Linux-based Vega OS on new Fire TV devices, giving it full control over the software stack. Currently, Fire OS is an Android fork often stuck on outdated versions.
Vega OS, hinted at in a job posting, will enable deeper integration of Alexa+, Amazon’s generative AI assistant, for personalized recommendations and enhanced ad and subscription revenue. The shift reduces reliance on Google and streamlines monetization. An official reveal is expected at Amazon’s 30 September hardware event in New York.
OpenAI builds TikTok-like app for AI video
OpenAI is developing a TikTok-style social app powered by its upcoming Sora 2 AI video model, according to Wired. The app will feature a vertical feed of AI-generated 10-second clips only, with no user uploads.
It will include identity verification, allowing users to opt in to having their likeness appear in videos, with notifications sent when used. Copyrighted content will be restricted, though rights holders must opt out for full protection. The move may capitalize on U.S. TikTok uncertainty and keep users within OpenAI’s ecosystem.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT
Tim Berners-Lee: Internet has lost its way
Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee warns the internet has strayed from its collaborative roots, criticizing social media for turning users into products. In a Guardian essay, he decried data harvesting, addictive algorithms, and mental health harms.
He advocates for user-owned data via his Solid platform and urges AI governance before monopolies form. He proposes a CERN-style not-for-profit to guide global AI research. His new book, This is For Everyone, calls for reclaiming the web as a creative, empowering space.
UK invests £4 million in next-gen aviation tech
The UK has awarded over £4 million via Innovate UK’s Future Flight programme to advance drones, unmanned aircraft, and zero-emission aviation. Projects include Beyond Restoration (heavy-lift drones for rewilding), London Health Bridge (scaling medical drone deliveries to 50,000 per month), and offshore cargo drones for wind farms.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather said the funding boosts green transport, regional jobs, and public sector efficiency. It builds on the UK’s £14.9 billion R&D commitment and £2.3 billion over 10 years for sustainable aerospace via the Aerospace Technology Institute.
Checkout.com launches $12 billion employee share buyback
Payments giant Checkout.com has unveiled a $12 billion employee share buyback, letting its 2,000 staff cash out as its valuation climbs nearly 30 percent. The firm is on track to process $300 billion in payments in 2025, after a profitable 2024 with 45 percent revenue growth.
It expects 30 percent net revenue growth this year, plans to hire 300 more people, and has launched card issuing with Visa, plus AI tools that helped merchants recover $15 billion in revenue. Major clients include eBay and Pinterest.
Qualcomm bets on TSMC’s 2nm for next Snapdragon chips
Qualcomm will use TSMC’s 2nm N2P process for its next two flagship chips, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Gen 7, following the 3nm Gen 5. The N2P node offers either 5 percent better performance or 5 percent lower power.
But 2nm wafer costs are expected to jump 50 percent, adding financial pressure. Qualcomm shows no interest in Samsung’s competing 2nm GAA process yet, though SF2P could be a future option. Analysts say dual sourcing or deep investment may be needed to manage costs.
WORTH NOTING
FCC leaks iPhone 16e schematics, exposing Apple secrets
The FCC accidentally leaked 163 pages of iPhone 16e internal schematics, despite Apple’s confidentiality request. The documents include full electrical layouts, block diagrams, and antenna designs, information Apple warned could give rivals an “unfair advantage.”
A cover letter dated 16 September 2024 emphasized the proprietary nature of the data. AppleInsider suggests a database misconfiguration caused the leak. Though the iPhone 16e is already sold, the disclosure removes all guesswork about its internals.
Meta expands facial recognition to fight impersonation
Meta is rolling out facial recognition in the UK, EU, and South Korea to combat accounts impersonating public figures. The system compares suspicious profile pictures with verified images on Facebook and soon Instagram. Matches trigger automatic removal.
Public figures must opt in. Meta says the U.S. rollout cut “celebrity bait” ads by 22 percent in early 2025, but privacy advocates remain wary of biometric surveillance.
Amazon to unveil new hardware on 30 September
Amazon will host its fall hardware event on 30 September in New York, expected to feature refreshed Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers, and Fire TV devices. The event may showcase new ways to interact with Alexa+, Amazon’s generative AI assistant.
Products from Ring and Eero could also appear. While not livestreamed, Engadget will provide live coverage, likely alongside early Prime Day deals on older devices.
