YouTube 'recommending eating disorder content'; AI method to spot cancer; Public urged to check online pharmacies
New report shows YouTube still recommends eating disorder content to children
The Center for Countering Digital Hate has launched a new report which shows YouTube continues to recommend harmful eating disorder content to children. This is in spite of significant improvements since the implementation of online safety regulation.
Read the report, titled Up Next: Anorexia Algorithm, here.
AI combines multiple DNA clues to improve cancer detection from blood
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence method that can detect signs of cancer by combining clues found in DNA fragments in the blood. This research was primarily funded by PIF member Cancer Research UK, with additional support from Barts Charity, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and others.
Read all about it on the Queen Mary University of London website.
- This article in The Lancet: Digital Health examines ChatGPT’s effect on obesity management. ChatGPT showed higher overall accuracy than other AI tools like Copilot, Gemini, Bing or Bard, but challenges include accuracy and reliability, algorithmic bias, cultural sensitivity, transparency and accountability. Read the article here.
Public urged to check online pharmacies via register
The General Pharmaceutical Council is raising awareness of buying medicines from fake online pharmacies and other illegal sellers. Thousands of fake online pharmacies are selling fake or unsafe medicines that don’t work or are harmful. The Council are calling for the public to check an online pharmacy is on its register before they use it.
AI Overviews ‘subject to media laws’ in Germany
Germany's media regulator said this week that Google's AI Overviews and Perplexity AI are subject to the country's media laws. This steps up scrutiny of AI-generated content after a German court found Google liable for inaccurate information produced by the feature.
Read the news from Reuters here.
MEPs call for stronger action on false health information
European policymakers have stressed the importance of ensuring that accurate health information reaches the public. The European Centre for Democratic Resilience was launched in February 2026 as part of a wider EU effort to tackle the spread of misinformation.
Read more about AI and health information on the European Lung Foundation website.
Ofcom research 'should focus more on those living with long-term health conditions'
Ofcom has published an independent mid-term evaluation of its three-year Media Literacy Strategy. The report highlighted better consultation with people with long-term health conditions as one area to enable greater representation in research.