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Cybersecurity

OpenAI invests in cybersecurity to combat AI-driven threats

OpenAI has made its first cybersecurity investment in Adaptive Security, a startup that uses AI to train employees to detect and prevent cyber threats.

Roblox introduces new parental controls to enhance child safety

Roblox introduces new parental controls, allowing parents to block games, restrict friends, and monitor their childโ€™s activity for better safety.

Exabeam introduces Nova, an agentic AI that boosts cybersecurity operations

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Tenable reveals privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run

Tenable uncovers a privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run, exposing risks linked to inherited permissions and service interdependencies.

ESET uncovers RansomHub links to rival gangs and highlights emerging EDR killer threats

ESET uncovers RansomHubโ€™s links to rival gangs and reveals its custom EDR killer, signalling new threats in the ransomware landscape.

Marketing

Spotify introduces AI-powered ads and programmatic ad buying

Spotify unveils AI-powered ads and the Spotify Ad Exchange, making it easier for advertisers to reach Gen Z listeners with real-time bidding.

Adobe: Redefining digital marketing in APAC through AI and privacy-first personalisation

Discover how Adobe helps APAC brands tackle data privacy, localise content, and embrace AI-driven marketing in a cookieless future.

Adobe introduces AI agents to Experience Cloud to improve customer experience delivery

Adobe unveils AI-powered features in Experience Cloud to help businesses deliver personalised customer journeys and better digital performance.

Adobe introduces new Firefly updates to streamline brand content production at scale

Adobe expands Firefly with video, 3D and GenStudio integration, helping brands scale on-brand content production with ease.

WeChat mini-game advertising sees 113% increase, creating new opportunities for developers

WeChat mini-game ads grew 113% in 2024, opening major growth chances for developers aiming to scale in Chinaโ€™s fast-moving mobile game market.

Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK to help Hong Kong brands expand into Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK, helping Hong Kong SMEs tap into Southeast Asia's booming US$600 billion e-commerce market.

MLBB and OPPO crown regional champions at APAC Smooth Legend Cup

IDONOTSLEEP and Maru Gamerpact Esports take top honours at the MLBB x OPPO Smooth Legend Cup APAC Grand Finals.

LinkedIn: How AI is reshaping hiring and workforce strategies in 2025

Discover how AI is transforming hiring and workforce strategies in 2025, from skills-based recruitment to internal mobility and continuous learning.

Kyberlife raises US$3 million to expand healthcare procurement in Southeast Asia

Singaporeโ€™s healthtech startup Kyberlife secures US$3 million to expand its digital procurement platform, streamlining healthcare supply chains in Southeast Asia.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres gains NVIDIA AI certification to boost AI capabilities

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has achieved certification under the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme, boosting AI capabilities in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Lego and Pokรฉmon Company announce long-awaited collaboration

Lego has partnered with The Pokรฉmon Company, and official Pokรฉmon Lego sets will be available in stores in 2026.

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, starting 14 August 2025 in Singapore and Malaysia.

Aetherdrift brings high-speed action to Magic: The Gathering fans

MTG's Aetherdrift brings high-speed action, new mechanics, and exclusive collectibles in an epic multiverse race starting 7 February.

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.

Hot topics

Going elsewhere?

31.1 C
Singapore
25.6 C
Malaysia
37.9 C
Thailand
28 C
Philippines
24 C
Indonesia
17 C
Vietnam
38.2 C
Cambodia
33.1 C
Myanmar

Cybersecurity

OpenAI invests in cybersecurity to combat AI-driven threats

OpenAI has made its first cybersecurity investment in Adaptive Security, a startup that uses AI to train employees to detect and prevent cyber threats.

Roblox introduces new parental controls to enhance child safety

Roblox introduces new parental controls, allowing parents to block games, restrict friends, and monitor their childโ€™s activity for better safety.

Exabeam introduces Nova, an agentic AI that boosts cybersecurity operations

Exabeam unveils Nova, a proactive AI agent that boosts security team productivity and reduces incident investigation time by over 50%.

Tenable reveals privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run

Tenable uncovers a privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run, exposing risks linked to inherited permissions and service interdependencies.

ESET uncovers RansomHub links to rival gangs and highlights emerging EDR killer threats

ESET uncovers RansomHubโ€™s links to rival gangs and reveals its custom EDR killer, signalling new threats in the ransomware landscape.

Marketing

Spotify introduces AI-powered ads and programmatic ad buying

Spotify unveils AI-powered ads and the Spotify Ad Exchange, making it easier for advertisers to reach Gen Z listeners with real-time bidding.

Adobe: Redefining digital marketing in APAC through AI and privacy-first personalisation

Discover how Adobe helps APAC brands tackle data privacy, localise content, and embrace AI-driven marketing in a cookieless future.

Adobe introduces AI agents to Experience Cloud to improve customer experience delivery

Adobe unveils AI-powered features in Experience Cloud to help businesses deliver personalised customer journeys and better digital performance.

Adobe introduces new Firefly updates to streamline brand content production at scale

Adobe expands Firefly with video, 3D and GenStudio integration, helping brands scale on-brand content production with ease.

WeChat mini-game advertising sees 113% increase, creating new opportunities for developers

WeChat mini-game ads grew 113% in 2024, opening major growth chances for developers aiming to scale in Chinaโ€™s fast-moving mobile game market.

Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK to help Hong Kong brands expand into Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK, helping Hong Kong SMEs tap into Southeast Asia's booming US$600 billion e-commerce market.

MLBB and OPPO crown regional champions at APAC Smooth Legend Cup

IDONOTSLEEP and Maru Gamerpact Esports take top honours at the MLBB x OPPO Smooth Legend Cup APAC Grand Finals.

LinkedIn: How AI is reshaping hiring and workforce strategies in 2025

Discover how AI is transforming hiring and workforce strategies in 2025, from skills-based recruitment to internal mobility and continuous learning.

Kyberlife raises US$3 million to expand healthcare procurement in Southeast Asia

Singaporeโ€™s healthtech startup Kyberlife secures US$3 million to expand its digital procurement platform, streamlining healthcare supply chains in Southeast Asia.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres gains NVIDIA AI certification to boost AI capabilities

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has achieved certification under the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme, boosting AI capabilities in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Lego and Pokรฉmon Company announce long-awaited collaboration

Lego has partnered with The Pokรฉmon Company, and official Pokรฉmon Lego sets will be available in stores in 2026.

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, starting 14 August 2025 in Singapore and Malaysia.

Aetherdrift brings high-speed action to Magic: The Gathering fans

MTG's Aetherdrift brings high-speed action, new mechanics, and exclusive collectibles in an epic multiverse race starting 7 February.

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.
Sunday, 6 April 2025
31.1 C
Singapore
37.9 C
Thailand
24 C
Indonesia
28 C
Philippines

Singapore start-up k-ID secures US$61 million to protect young gamers online

k-ID secured US$45 million in funding to enhance its technology for protecting young gamers from online risks. It is set to launch new features in August.

Singapore start-up k-ID, known for its innovative tools that help game publishers and parents protect children and teenagers from online risks, has secured US$45 million (S$61 million) in venture capital funding. This substantial investment aims to enhance their technology to ensure young gamersโ€™ safety.

Major investment for k-ID

This latest round of funding was led by US-based venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners. It follows an initial investment of US$5 million from Andreessen Horowitzโ€™s gaming accelerator a16z Speedrun and US-based venture firms Konvoy and Tirta in late 2023.

k-ID has developed pioneering software that offers detailed parental controls and verifications, compliant with varying regulations across different regions. Parents can tailor the online experience to their childโ€™s digital maturity by adjusting access to features like chats, private messages, and in-app purchases. This technology also allows developers to determine when a child should not receive advertisements for inappropriate content based on local regulations.

In certain areas, game publishers can even verify the age of every user against government-issued identification, a significant step in preventing online harm.

The drive behind k-IDโ€™s mission

Kieran Donovan, k-IDโ€™s co-founder and CEO, has been deeply affected by the complexities game publishers face in protecting young gamers over the past decade. His personal dedication to online safety, stemming from his childhood trauma involving sexual abuse and his role as a father, is a driving force behind k-IDโ€™s mission.

In 2022, he testified as a victim-survivor in an Australian trial on childhood sexual abuse, an ordeal he carried for 20 years. Donovanโ€™s personal experience fuels his commitment to safeguarding young people online.

With increasing pressure on platform operators to identify account holders and encourage responsible interactions amid issues like trolling, cyberbullying, grooming, and scams, there is a critical need for protective measures. k-ID addresses this need by providing technology that many of the biggest game publishers have adopted, although they remain unnamed.

Prospects and tech capabilities

k-IDโ€™s technology, set to launch in August, will support multiple titles on platforms like PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store. The latest funding will help k-ID further develop and market its compliance software to more online gaming platforms, opening up a world of possibilities for the future of online gaming safety.

The company uses a manually compiled database to aggregate user access to gaming websites. This database includes identity verification procedures, parental consent acquisition, and legal compliance standards that differ globally. The system updates daily to ensure developers and users navigate age-appropriate features accurately.

k-IDโ€™s engine customises each childโ€™s gaming experience based on age, location, and previous logins (such as on Google, Xbox, and Apple). Parents can further personalise these settings, for instance, by turning off global chat functions and online gambling features to ensure their children have only age-appropriate access.

Balancing safety and accessibility for children in gaming is challenging. Donovan acknowledges the difficulty of creating safer technologies without restricting childrenโ€™s access to the online communities they enjoy.

k-ID also aims to simplify regulatory compliance for game developers and publishers, who often face complex laws varying from country to country. For example, Spain recently approved a law banning minors from accessing โ€œloot boxesโ€ in video games. At the same time, Australia restricts games with loot boxes to users aged 15 and above and those with simulated gambling to users aged 18 and above.

Using k-ID, game-makers and publishers can focus on game development instead of regulatory compliance.

On June 25, k-ID will unveil its first publicly announced title, Gorilla Tag, a virtual reality game by developer Another Axiom.

โ€œWe want a paradigm shift around the โ€˜confirm that Iโ€™m over 13โ€™ pop-up, which is huge because the whole internet is predicated on that and has been for 30 years,โ€ said Donovan.

k-ID was founded by former executives from Meta, Tencent, Google, Take-Two, and Electronic Arts. They bring extensive industry experience to their mission of protecting young gamers.

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