Pexels vs Getty Images

Consumer Body Warns Loot Boxes Are Cost Trap

The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) has called for stricter EU rules on loot boxes in online games after evaluating 81 consumer reports collected between March 23 and July 31, 2026. Reported harms include high personal expenditures (from hundreds to thousands of euros, with some mid-five-figure totals over years), psychological purchase pressure, and gambling-like mechanisms. The vzbv wants the European Commission’s planned Digital Fairness Act to ban manipulative, addiction-promoting design features, require such functions to be disabled by default, and prevent children and adolescents from enabling them. The vzbv notes its market observation is qualitative and not representative.

• The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) analyzed 81 consumer reports on loot boxes collected between 2026-03-23 and 2026-07-31.
• Some respondents reported spending several hundred to thousands of euros on loot-box purchases; individual reports cited mid-five-figure totals over multiple years.
• The vzbv urges the European Commission’s planned Digital Fairness Act to include binding rules banning manipulative and addiction-promoting design elements in websites, apps, and online games.

One in Three Young Adults Uses AI Like a Friend

A Kaspersky survey published on August 30, 2026, finds that AI is becoming a social companion for many young adults: 32% of 18–28-year‑olds use AI daily or almost daily and about 31% view AI similarly to a friend. Respondents report using AI for information (56%), learning (46%), everyday tasks (40%) and sensitive personal topics; however, only 30% consistently apply basic security measures. Kaspersky warns of privacy and accuracy risks, recommends verifying AI-generated information (especially on health, finance or legal topics), avoiding entry of sensitive data into AI tools, and checking privacy policies of new AI services.

• Kaspersky survey: 32% of 18–28‑year‑olds use AI daily or almost daily.
• Approximately 31% of young adults view AI similarly to a friend and seek emotional support or companionship.
• Usage breakdown among young adults: 56% for information search, 46% for learning/exam prep, 40% for everyday tasks.

Gamers Spend €334 Annually on Games

A representative survey commissioned by the German digital association Bitkom found that gamers in Germany who do not rely solely on free offerings spent an average of €334 on computer and video games in the past 12 months. The survey of 1,205 people (including 663 gamers) shows that 75% of gamers pay for games or in-game purchases while 25% use only free offerings. Spending varies widely by age and user segment: the top quarter of paying gamers averaged €781 per year, and younger players (16–29) spent more (€376) than older cohorts.

• Average annual spending on computer and video games among paying German gamers: €334.
• Survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom and published immediately before Gamescom.
• Survey sample: 1,205 people aged 16+ in Germany, including 663 gamers; spending refers to the past 12 months.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Getty Images (2026-09-30)

Getty Images Holdings, Inc. reported that on September 30, 2026, it cured its interest payment obligations due September 1, 2026, across its 9.750% Senior Notes due 2027 and 14.000% Senior Notes due 2028 before the expiration of the 30-day grace period. By executing the payments within the grace window, the company avoided an Event of Default under the respective indentures. Concurrently, Getty Images reiterated that management and financial advisors are actively pursuing strategic financing alternatives, balance sheet management initiatives, and ongoing negotiations with key debt and equity holders amid going concern considerations.

• Made overdue interest payments on September 30, 2026, for both the 9.750% Senior Notes due 2027 and 14.000% Senior Notes due 2028.
• Completed payments within the contractual 30-day grace period following the September 1, 2026 due date, thereby avoiding an Event of Default.
• Actively progressing discussions with key debt and equity holders alongside financial advisors regarding balance sheet restructuring and strategic financing alternatives.

Getty Images Named Official Photographer of the 64th New York Film Festival

Getty Images has once again been named the Official Photographer of the 64th New York Film Festival (NYFF64), renewing a longstanding partnership and reinforcing Getty Images’ role as the...

Getty Images named as Official Photographer of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival

New York – September 3, 2026: Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, has once again been named the Official Photographer of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), taking place from September 10 to September 20, renewing a longstanding partnership...