In today’s Digest, we discuss ChatGPT beginning to show ads to logged-out users, and Norway planning an under-16 social media ban as Turkey passes an under-15 ban. We also look at Meta launching an Instagram spinoff app, ‘Instants’.

ChatGPT shows ads to logged-out users

OpenAI is widening access to advertising within ChatGPT by beginning to serve ads to users who are not logged in, a move aimed at easing supply constraints that have frustrated early advertisers in its pilot programme. Demand for the high-intent environment has outpaced available inventory, with some advertisers reportedly unable to spend allocated budgets due to limited ad frequency and reach.

The shift comes as OpenAI lowers entry barriers and experiments with scaling its ad business, including reducing minimum spend requirements from USD$200,000 (£158,000) to USD$50,000 (£39,500). While the company has not formally confirmed the rollout, expanding ads to logged-out users significantly increases potential impressions.

Norway and Turkey progress with plans for social media bans

Norway is preparing legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, as governments across Europe step up efforts to limit the impact of digital services on young users. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the proposal is designed to protect childhood from being “taken over by algorithms and screens”.The plan aligns with a broader regulatory shift across markets globally At the regional level, the European Commission is advancing tools such as an age-verification app to support enforcement. 

Elsewhere, Turkey has passed new legislation restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15, marking other efforts to curb youth exposure to digital platforms. Lawmakers approved the bill on 22nd April, with the measure now awaiting final sign-off from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The law will require platforms to introduce age-verification systems, offer parental controls, and respond swiftly to content deemed harmful.

Meta launches Instants App

Meta Platforms is experimenting with a new standalone app, Instants, as it looks to deepen engagement among younger users through more spontaneous, ephemeral content. The app, developed under Instagram, opens directly to the camera and allows users to share disappearing photos with friends, an approach closely resembling Snapchat’s core functionality. 

Positioned around the idea of “real life, real quick,” Instants strips back editing tools in favour of quick, unfiltered sharing. The product builds on Meta’s earlier “Shots” feature, a short-lived test within Instagram that combined elements of Snapchat and BeReal.