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Elon Musk: The $1 trillion man?

Tesla's board of directors has proposed an almost otherworldly 10-year compensation package for its CEO, one that could reach 13 figures if he succeeds in making his futuristic visions of humanoid robots, autonomous taxis, and artificial intelligence at every level a reality – in a company that would then be valued at $8.5 trillion.

Published today at 2:47 am (Paris) Arnaud Leparmentier

Op-Ed Subscribers only

'Access to pornography gravely undermines children's mental health and psychological integrity'

Feminist figures from 17 European countries call for the implementation of age verification on pornographic websites. They see it as a necessary measure to protect the most vulnerable audiences from content that is often violent, misogynistic, racist or even contains child sexual abuse.

Published yesterday at 5:00 am (Paris) Group letter

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EU Commission reluctantly fines Google nearly €3 billion despite Trump threat

Brussels has slapped a fine on the US giant despite tensions with US President Donald Trump over trade and tariffs. The EU Commission has yet to go as far as demanding the breakup of the company.

Published on September 6, 2025, at 11:45 am (Paris) Virginie Malingre

Profile Subscribers only

The meteoric rise and exploited fame of Jean Pormanove, French streamer who died on-air

Jean Pormanove, a 46-year-old streamer, died on August 18 while streaming live on the Kick platform. He launched his career by streaming the video game 'Fortnite,' but ultimately became the star of a humiliating spectacle.

Published on September 6, 2025, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on September 7, 2025, at 7:29 pm Aurélien Defer

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When students push back on professors using AI: 'He's telling us not to use it and then using it himself'

Since 2023, university professors have questioned the widespread use of generative AI tools by students. But tensions can also arise when the opposite occurs.

Published on September 6, 2025, at 2:04 am (Paris), updated on September 6, 2025, at 10:21 am Séverin Graveleau

News

EU fines Google nearly €3 billion over abusive online ad practices

In a ruling issued Friday, Brussels concluded that the American tech giant abused its dominant position in the online advertising sector.

Published on September 5, 2025, at 7:53 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

France issues record fines for cookies against internet giants Shein and Google

Both firms failed to secure users' free and informed consent before setting advertising cookies on their browsers. Shein had amassed 'massive' amounts of data from the cookies it placed on 12 million monthly users' computers in France, CNIL watchdog said.

Published on September 4, 2025, at 12:15 am (Paris), updated on September 4, 2025, at 8:46 am Le Monde

News

EU court upholds Europe-US data transfer pact

The EU's General Court dismissed a challenge by centrist French lawmaker Philippe Latombe, who argued that the EU-US deal did not fully respect the EU's data protection rules, after two previous deals were struck down.

Published on September 3, 2025, at 1:11 pm (Paris), updated on September 3, 2025, at 2:28 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

ChatGPT to get parental controls after teen's death

In a lawsuit filed last week in California, Matthew and Maria Raine argue that ChatGPT helped their 16-year-old son steal vodka and gave him a technical analysis of a noose he tied. Adam was found dead hours later.

Published on September 3, 2025, at 3:52 am (Paris), updated on September 3, 2025, at 7:32 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Google won't be forced to sell Chrome, US federal judge rules

Judge Amit Mehta rejected the government's demand that the tech giant sell its web browser as part of a major antitrust case. He instead imposed sweeping requirements to restore competition in online search.

Published on September 3, 2025, at 12:20 am (Paris), updated on September 3, 2025, at 10:05 am Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

Australia says it will force web giants to prevent deepfake nudes, online stalking

Australia's government said Tuesday it would start drafting legislation to crack down on tools used to create AI-generated nude images and stalk people. Authorities pledged to work with industry partners and make companies responsible for blocking harmful technology.

Published on September 2, 2025, at 10:03 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Louvre says 'game over' to its Nintendo 3DS visitor guide

Since 2012, visitors to the Paris museum have been able to use Nintendo's handheld console as a multimedia guide. The service ends on Monday, and the consoles will be returned to Nintendo.

Published on September 2, 2025, at 3:43 am (Paris), updated on September 2, 2025, at 10:09 am Pierre Trouvé

News

EU vows to enforce tech rules, despite Trump pressure

US President Donald Trump, who has shaken up global trade by imposing tariffs on America's trading partners, has threatened to add levies on those he accuses of targeting US tech companies.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 10:25 pm (Paris), updated on September 2, 2025, at 9:18 am Le Monde with AFP

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Posting the journey: How social media became a diary for gender transition

On Instagram, TikTok and X, many people document the ups and downs of their gender transitions to inform those just starting their journey and foster group solidarity.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 8:50 pm (Paris) Camille Ribot

News

French streamer insists he didn't kill co-host during live broadcast

Safine Hamadi denied mistreating Raphaël Graven, who died during a 12-day streaming marathon, calling the stunts consensual and scripted. Prosecutors and the French government are now investigating the Kick platform for negligence.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 12:05 pm (Paris), updated on September 1, 2025, at 12:18 pm Le Monde with AFP

Investigation Subscribers only

The discreet rise of facial recognition around the world

Driven by artificial intelligence and backed by some political leaders as well as private companies, this highly sensitive technology is becoming commonplace in many countries and is making inroads across Europe.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Marjorie Cessac Floriane Picard Benjamin Martinez

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France hosts Yu-Gi-Oh World Championship for the first time

While less established than Magic: The Gathering and less popular than Pokémon, the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game remains the other heavyweight in the sector. The final stages of the World Championship are taking place in Paris on Sunday.

Published on August 31, 2025, at 3:09 pm (Paris) Pierre Trouvé

Op-Ed Subscribers only

'AI-generated images of child sexual abuse prolong victims' suffering'

Derek Ray-Hill, director of the Internet Watch Foundation, warns about the production of child sexual abuse images through artificial intelligence and the urgent need to criminalize them.

Published on August 31, 2025, at 2:49 am (Paris), updated on September 2, 2025, at 11:56 am Derek Ray-Hill

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From Meta AI to ChatGPT: The dangerous game of ever-increasing AI personalization

While publicly pledging to design safe tools, Meta and OpenAI continue to give users the ability to steer their chatbots away from relative neutrality. Is this paradox sustainable in the long term?

Published on August 30, 2025, at 4:24 pm (Paris) Nicolas Six

Op-Ed Subscribers only

Live death of French streamer: 'It took a tragedy and a media storm to force the government to act'

The system for regulating online content cannot function without strong political will, argues the president of the Human Rights League in an op-ed. In February, she unsuccessfully appealed to the French media and digital communications regulator regarding Jean Pormanove, who died during a livestream on the Kick platform.

Published on August 27, 2025, at 5:30 pm (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 6:05 pm Nathalie Tehio

News

Parents blame ChatGPT for son's suicide in lawsuit against OpenAI

The parents of a 16-year-old California boy who died by suicide have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the company's ChatGPT chatbot fostered a months-long relationship with their son and ultimately provided explicit guidance that contributed to his death.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 10:58 pm (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 2:48 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

France to sue Kick platform for 'negligence' after livestream death

Raphaël Graven, known online as 'Jean Pormanove' or 'JP,' died after a 12-day live-streaming marathon on his channel, which specialized in him enduring abuse or humiliation dished out by other participants.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 3:05 pm (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 2:51 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

EU defends its digital rules as 'sovereign right' after Trump tariff threat

Without explicitly naming the European Union, Trump on Monday threatened fresh tariffs on countries with regulations that sought to 'harm' American technology.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 1:52 pm (Paris), updated on August 26, 2025, at 2:14 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Countries regulating US tech firms in Trump's crosshairs

Donald Trump threatened on Monday to impose tariffs and institute export restrictions on US tech and chips on European countries and others who have created laws to regulate the online world.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 5:21 am (Paris), updated on August 26, 2025, at 9:47 am Le Monde

News

Elon Musk sues Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of anticompetitive practices

The billionaire accused Apple of favoring OpenAI and ChatGPT in the iPhone's app store rankings for top AI apps. OpenAI has countered with a lawsuit, accusing Musk of harassment.

Published on August 25, 2025, at 11:29 pm (Paris), updated on August 26, 2025, at 9:43 am Le Monde with AP

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Much confusion, little self-reflection in Jean Pormanove's community after livestreamed death

One week after the 46-year-old livestreamer's death, part of his online community has turned to open hostility toward the media and so-called 'traitors.'

Published on August 25, 2025, at 10:27 pm (Paris), updated on August 26, 2025, at 10:49 am Damien Leloup Olivier Clairouin

Op-Ed Subscribers only

Live death of French streamer: 'In the digital world, the humiliation of a person draws our gaze in'

Sociologist Julie Alev Dilmaç analyzes the abuse suffered by Raphaël Graven, known as Jean Pormanove, presenting it as a consensual game between "friends," when in fact it was an exercise in domination, not a pact.

Published on August 24, 2025, at 6:54 pm (Paris) Julie Alev Dilmaç

In Depth Subscribers only

Death of French streamer: Behind Kick, an Australian crypto casino and two young billionaires

The livestreaming platform began as an offshoot of one of the world's largest online gambling sites: Stake. From the outset, lax moderation was part of its DNA.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 3:48 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup

Editorial

French streamer's death: Dying live, a lucrative scandal

The death of Raphaël Graven, broadcast live on the Kick platform – where the humiliations he endured were watched by tens of thousands of internet users – serves as an urgent call to end the negligence of content hosting companies.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 1:06 pm (Paris), updated on August 23, 2025, at 10:19 am Le Monde

In Depth Subscribers only

French streamer's death not due to blow inflicted by another as the investigation continues

The autopsy of the 46 year old, who died during a livestream on August 18, found no 'traumatic injuries,' according to the Nice prosecutor. Investigators are considering whether he may have been the victim of undue influence or abuse of weakness.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 10:32 am (Paris), updated on August 22, 2025, at 3:23 pm Jérôme Lefilliâtre

In Depth Subscribers only

French streamer's on-air death: Does the Kick platform bear responsibility?

Raphaël Graven died Monday during a livestream on Kick. For months, he endured humiliation and physical abuse. The site, known for its relatively lax moderation, was aware of the content on his channel and regularly promoted it.

Published on August 21, 2025, at 12:59 pm (Paris), updated on August 21, 2025, at 1:59 pm Damien Leloup Lyssia Gingins Camille Ribot

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In Russia, authorities are tightening control over communications even further

Phone calls are now blocked on WhatsApp and Telegram, as the Kremlin pushes for the adoption of a poorly secured 'national' messaging app.

Published on August 21, 2025, at 2:37 am (Paris) Damien Leloup Benjamin Quénelle

In Depth Subscribers only

French streamer dies live on air after months of humiliation and abuse

Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, was well-known on the streaming platform Kick. The 46-year-old former soldier was regularly beaten and abused by two other influencers during livestreams.

Published on August 20, 2025, at 10:06 am (Paris) Jérôme Lefilliâtre

In Depth

What is Kick, the platform on which a French streamer died live?

Raphaël Grave, known online as Jean Pormanove, died Monday during a livestream. The tragedy has shed light on a little-known streaming site and its extremely permissive moderation policies.

Published on August 20, 2025, at 2:21 am (Paris), updated on August 20, 2025, at 10:07 am Damien Leloup Olivier Clairouin

News

White House starts TikTok account as platform in US legal limbo

A federal law requiring TikTok's sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump's inauguration on January 20, but Trump put the ban on pause after coming to believe it helped him win young voters' support in the November election. TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance.

Published on August 20, 2025, at 1:45 am (Paris), updated on August 20, 2025, at 7:36 am Le Monde with AFP

Investigation Subscribers only

The rise and fall of a gang of crypto-ransom kidnappers

The criminal group behind a string of violent kidnappings in France that recently made headlines started this activity as early as 2023 and was planning further 'attacks.' Its mastermind was arrested on June 3 in Morocco.

Published on August 19, 2025, at 8:30 pm (Paris), updated on August 19, 2025, at 8:31 pm Antoine Albertini Soren Seelow

Op-Ed Subscribers only

'By choosing AI for its remembrance policy, the French government is automating an intellectual process'

Historian Frédéric Clavert writes that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by French ministries to create commemorative videos can result in highly questionable outcomes.

Published on August 19, 2025, at 4:00 pm (Paris) Frédéric Clavert

Series Subscribers only

AI, my students and me: 'Last semester marks the nadir of my experience in academia'

'Letters from America' (1/6). The writer and journalist Thomas Chatterton Williams has been startled by the omnipresence of artificial intelligence at university, which he believes threatens the very foundations of education and our ability to think.

Published on August 18, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on August 18, 2025, at 12:00 pm Thomas Chatterton Williams

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In emergency rooms, AI supports doctors treating severe trauma patients

AI algorithms and humans could complement each other and improve care for seriously injured patients.

Published on August 17, 2025, at 9:08 am (Paris) Anaëlle Charlier

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A well-orchestrated response to illegal music downloads

'Click To Pirate' (5/5). The music industry, the first cultural sector hit by large-scale piracy, has found an effective defense in paid streaming. Yet some internet users remain resistant to this evolution.

Published on August 15, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Pierre Trouvé

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Hackers versus sports broadcasters: A tight match to win over viewers

'Click To Pirate' (4/5). Hit later than other sectors by the scourge of piracy, the sports industry now faces a proliferation of illegal broadcasts, from Telegram to IPTV. Meanwhile, users of streaming platforms criticize what they see as inadequete legal offerings.

Published on August 14, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Clément Martel Martin Untersinger

News

Bitcoin hits record high above $124,000

Donald Trump's media group and Tesla, the electric carmaker owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, are among an increasing number of companies buying huge amounts of bitcoin.

Published on August 14, 2025, at 5:28 am (Paris), updated on August 14, 2025, at 7:17 am Le Monde with AFP

Op-Ed Subscribers only

'Smartphone sales to under-15s should be banned'

While online age verification measures to protect minors are starting in Europe, there is still a considerable gap between official announcements and actual implementation, warn pediatricians Sylvie Dieu Osika and Eric Osika, along with psychologist Karine de Leusse.

Published on August 14, 2025, at 2:03 am (Paris), updated on August 14, 2025, at 8:28 am Karine de Leusse Eric Osika Sylvie Dieu Osika

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Piracy evolves to target porn actresses, left powerless by leaks

'Click to Pirate' (3/5). Pirates siphon off content from professional erotic or pornographic performers to distribute it for free. This phenomenon sometimes also involves the circulation of non-consensual videos.

Published on August 13, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Aurélien Defer Florian Reynaud

In Depth Subscribers only

Why widespread age verification raises concerns among digital rights advocates

Rolled out in the United Kingdom and on certain pornographic websites in France, the controversial technology is also set to be implemented across the European Union.

Published on August 13, 2025, at 2:48 am (Paris), updated on August 13, 2025, at 10:09 am Florian Reynaud

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The rocky debut of OpenAI's new language model, seen as less effective and less 'friendly'

Barely launched, GPT-5 has already drawn heavy criticism, prompting the California-based company to announce changes and to bring back GPT-4o.

Published on August 13, 2025, at 1:55 am (Paris), updated on August 13, 2025, at 10:29 am Morgane Tual

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In the stacks of 'shadow libraries,' where academics worldwide share articles for free

'Click to Pirate' (2/5). Websites that illegally offer scientific articles have become hugely popular within the academic community. Fast and efficient, they represent the utopian ideal of knowledge accessible to all.

Published on August 12, 2025, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Lyssia Gingins

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In the Assemblée Nationale, the rise of 'TikTok speeches' sparks debate

Many French MPs now post their speeches from the chamber on social media, leading to a more scripted speaking style. Some within the Assemblée see the practice as grating, others as undermining the legislature's work.

Published on August 12, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Robin Richardot

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Streaming's new pirates: 'We're not a big network of cybercriminals, just two high schoolers having fun'

'Click To Pirate' (1/5). In the shadow of major piracy giants, smaller platforms proliferate, generally run by young amateurs determined to illegally distribute films and TV series.

Published on August 11, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Michaël Szadkowski

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Instagram: A 'digital cemetery' for Gaza Strip residents

On the social media platform, the accounts used by Palestinians to share their daily lives amid the waves of bombings reveal the human tragedy in the enclave, and have become sites for commemorations.

Published on August 9, 2025, at 12:30 pm (Paris) Lyssia Gingins

Op-Ed Subscribers only

'We are far too eager to entrust the management of the world to AI instead of recognizing its limits'

Media historian Jérôme Bourdon reminds readers that artificial intelligence is part of a long human history, and questions whether this technological revolution is on the verge of becoming a new religion.

Published on August 8, 2025, at 4:10 am (Paris), updated on August 8, 2025, at 10:18 am Jérôme Bourdon

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ChatGPT: OpenAI launches GPT-5, the latest version of its language processing tool

GPT-5, the new AI model available to all users of the popular chatbot, aims to be faster, more reliable and more accurate than its predecessor.

Published on August 8, 2025, at 12:03 am (Paris), updated on August 8, 2025, at 9:28 am Morgane Tual

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Iron Man, Elon Musk's fictional double, comes to America's rescue

'Musk Fictions' (2/6). In the 2010s, the founder of SpaceX became fixated on the Marvel superhero Iron Man, viewing him as his fictional double.

Published on August 5, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris), updated on August 6, 2025, at 12:08 am Julien Laroche-Joubert

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AI is sowing discord in the world of fanfiction

Fanfiction authors often regard the emergence of AI-generated stories with suspicion, and the technology is shaking up the values within fan communities.

Published on August 5, 2025, at 2:58 am (Paris), updated on August 5, 2025, at 11:14 am Morgane Tual

In Depth Subscribers only

Personalized AI chatbots go off the rails on Instagram and Messenger

Conversations with Jesus, Naruto or the prime minister: French users of Meta's platforms can now create chatbots with their own personalities. Yet this new feature is not without its problems.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 4:12 pm (Paris), updated on August 2, 2025, at 4:18 pm Florian Reynaud Morgane Tual

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AI Act: 38 global creators' organizations condemn 'betrayal' of Europe's stated goals

Several international organizations representing authors, performers, publishers and producers have voiced their disillusionment with the EU regulation on artificial intelligence, which partially takes effect on August 2. According to these groups, the regulation fails to protect intellectual property.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 12:28 pm (Paris) Nicole Vulser

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EU's AI Act takes effect, sparking new Europe-US clash

Key parts of the legislation governing artificial intelligence came into force on Saturday. Washington and American tech giants have not given up on their coordinated offensive against this law and, more broadly, against European digital regulation.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 5:45 am (Paris), updated on August 2, 2025, at 12:04 pm Elie Allan

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After metaverse, Zuckerberg invests tens of billions into 'superintelligence'

Over the past 12 months, Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, generated a staggering $71.5 billion in profit on $179 billion in revenue. The company claims it is already reaping the benefits of AI.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 2:38 pm (Paris), updated on August 1, 2025, at 1:31 pm Arnaud Leparmentier

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How France's far right is betting on cryptocurrencies

The Rassemblement National is preparing a draft law to 'mine' bitcoin using surplus electricity from nuclear power plants, demonstrating the far right's parliamentary advocacy on the issue.

Published on July 30, 2025, at 1:02 pm (Paris) Robin D’Angelo Corentin Lesueur

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Russian internet hangs in the balance after network outages

Network outages have become increasingly frequent across Russia. Authorities justify these measures by citing the need to counter Ukrainian drone attacks. However, this also conceals a growing surveillance of Russians' online activities.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Filip Meyer Benjamin Quénelle

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