GoKawiilTech roundup: AI data-center backlash, Uber's $1B GDPR fine, TikTok's $400M child-privacy deal
A daily tech digest covers a wave of regulatory and political pushback: both US parties are souring on AI data centers ahead of midterms, Dutch regulators fined Uber nearly $1 billion for automatically deactivating drivers without human review, and TikTok agreed to pay $400 million to settle a US case over collecting children's data. Separately, New Zealand is moving to ban under-16s from social media and Chinese humanoid robots reportedly broke Usain Bolt's 100-meter record at a robotics competition.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The bundle of stories shows regulators and lawmakers worldwide converging on AI and platform accountability from multiple angles—energy infrastructure, automated decision-making, and child safety. Uber's fine is especially notable as one of the largest GDPR penalties ever issued, signaling that automated systems making consequential decisions about workers will face intensified legal scrutiny.
- Uber was fined nearly $1 billion by Dutch regulators for deactivating drivers via automated systems without human review.
- TikTok will pay $400 million to settle US allegations of illegally collecting children's data.
- AI data centers are facing bipartisan political backlash in the US ahead of the midterms.
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Published there as: “The Download: kids outlearning AI, and space travel agents”
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