Daily Tech News Digest – 2026-04-21

Top tech headlines from BBC Technology, TechRadar and Ars Technica in the last 24 hours.

BBC Technology

• Ofcom investigating Telegram over child sexual abuse material concerns
  The popular messaging service told the BBC in a statement it "categorically denies Ofcom's accusations".
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:24:57 GMT
• New era as Apple names new boss to replace Tim Cook after 15 years
  Ternus will take over running the technology giant in September as Cook steps up to become executive chairman.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:57:56 GMT
• The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
  A stellarator is difficult to build, but could it be the best way to make fusion energy work?
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:09:41 GMT
• Blue Origin rocket grounded after satellite 'mishap'
  The firm founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is investigating the failed launch.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:56:11 GMT
• Elon Musk snubs interview summons by French prosecutors amid X probe
  The Paris prosecutor's office told the BBC it had "taken note of the absence of the people summoned".
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:44:44 GMT

TechRadar Tech

• 2025 was the worst year on record for internet shutdowns as censors move to more targeted blocks
  Access Now's latest report on internet shutdowns reveals that 2025 was the worst year on record for digital freedom. With VPNs and satellite internet increasingly under fire, we recap the year’s biggest threats and look at what’s next for global conn…
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:02:17 +0000
• "75% of web designers now fear AI more than shrinking budgets": How AI is reshaping web design and how web pros can adapt
  With 3-in-4 web designers struggling to find new clients, we look at how AI is changing the face of web design.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:57:03 +0000
• Why enterprises need governance frameworks for agentic AI
  AI agents are making decisions for your business. That's why we need a new model of accountability for them.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:56:29 +0000
• Microsoft issues warning over Teams helpdesk impersonation attacks – hackers are 'blending into routine IT support activity' by abusing remote assistance access
  Crooks are impersonating IT and reaching out via Teams, only to be granted access and steal data.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:45:00 +0000
• 'We know you know' — Ubisoft officially announces Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which will receive a 'dedicated' worldwide reveal showcase this week
  Ubisoft has announced that the Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag remake will be officially revealed this week.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:35:45 +0000
• 'NHS users report that it is awful to use': Palantir could be forced to exit NHS after pushback from staff, MPs, unions, and pressure groups over Federated Data Platform
  MPs want Palantir's contract with the NHS to end early, stating that the FDP is awful to use.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:34:41 +0000
• Software 3.0 is speeding up coding - but delivery is a different story
  AI writes code faster than ever — but smart teams know speed isn't the whole story.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:29:45 +0000
• I've found the best Samsung Galaxy A57 covers to keep your new mid-range handset protected from bumps and scratches
  These cases combine rugged build quality and stylish looks to keep your phone protected and looking good at the same time.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:24:39 +0000
• 'They ruined my favorite movie': fans slam Practical Magic 2 trailer for 'Netflix lighting' as Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman legacy sequel swaps haunting darkness for pastel color
  The first trailer for Practical Magic 2 is here — and if the lighting is anything to go by, things are feeling a lot less spooky.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:16:49 +0000
• Goodbye, Cosmic Orange — the iPhone 18 Pro's possible colors have leaked, and everyone's talking about one specific shade
  Dark Cherry could be the signature color for the iPhone 18 Pro line, and it looks stunning in an unofficial render.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:14:23 +0000
• HireRight background check review: Efficient, compliant, but not flawless
  Compliant, cloud-based verification services for employment background checks.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:10:00 +0000
• The 'unbeatable' and five-star-rated JBL Charge 6 just got a big discount at Best Buy
  Save $40 on the five-star JBL Charge 6 at Best Buy.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:05:04 +0000
• Spotting the spyware: How modern spies are weaponizing phishing
  How state-sponsored spies weaponize modern phishing attacks.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:58:01 +0000
• AI confidence gap is stalling UK small businesses
  AI’s biggest challenge for UK SMEs isn’t technology, but time, confidence and trust.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:43:55 +0000
• How to watch Madrid Open 2026: FREE Live Streams & TV Channels for ATP & WTA 1000 Tennis, Preview
  Watch free streams from the Madrid Open 2026 as Sinner, Sabalenka and more descend on La Caja Mágica's clay – TV channels, broadcasters and streams.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:27:17 +0000
• 'Makes the WH-1000XM6 seem cheap' — Sony just leaked elite 'Collexion' headphones, coming very soon
  Let's make a… Connexion
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:21:12 +0000
• This browser plugin lets you track your AI 'water footprint' — and ‘pay it back’ to communities in need
  A new plugin enables you to see exactly how much water your AI prompts are using up, and make a donation to offset it by giving water back to communities in need.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:20:38 +0000
• How to watch Running Wild with Bear Grylls 2026 online from anywhere
  As Uma Thurman and Matthew McConaughey brave a close encounter with mother nature, here's how to watch Running Wild with Bear Grylls 2026 online.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:19:27 +0000
• BackgroundChecks.com review: It's fast and easy for small business use, but I'm not a fan of the hidden fees
  Great for small businesses and quick hires, but hidden fees and uneven support let it down.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:15:00 +0000
• 10 fascinating facts about laser printers you probably didn't know
  Never paid attention to the box in the corner of the office? Maybe it’s time to start – here are ten amazing facts about your laser printer.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:10:00 +0000

Ars Technica Technology

• Global growth in solar "the largest ever observed for any source"
  The Energy Information Agency says we've entered the Age of Electricity.
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:16 +0000
• Pentagon pulls the plug on one of the military's most troubled space programs
  Problems with the ground system would have "put current GPS military and civilian capabilities at risk."
  Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:27:52 +0000
• John Ternus will replace Tim Cook as Apple CEO
  Cook will be executive chairman, but will no longer run the company day to day.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:05:35 +0000
• Absurd study suggests eating fruits and vegetables leads to cancer
  Experts point out a series of flaws, including small size and no control group.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:53:04 +0000
• US opens refund portal to start paying back Trump's illegal tariffs
  Importers can now request refunds, two months after Trump's Supreme Court loss.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:53:21 +0000
• Here's how F1 is tweaking its hybrid systems to try to save the show
  Energy management and speed differentials are the problems of the day.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:15:50 +0000
• Robot runner handily beats humans in half-marathon, setting new record
  A humanoid robot's record half-marathon run shows China's speed in robotics.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:56:27 +0000
• Deezer says 44% of new music uploads are AI-generated, most streams are fraudulent
  AI tracks account for a small fraction of Deezer streams, and most are demonetized for fraud.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:15:51 +0000
• Rogue Trooper brings the Genetic Infantry to the silver screen
  The future war film, from the director of Moon, is adapted from 2000 AD's comic series.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:58:28 +0000
• Meet Bruce, the "beak-jousting" parrot
  Kea parrot missing his upper beak "has rewritten what disability means for behaviorally complex species."
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:22 +0000
• Anthropic's Mythos AI model sparks fears of turbocharged hacking
  Cyberdefenses could be exposed faster than fixes could be deployed.
  Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:21:40 +0000

— Auto-generated digest