SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Norton has added its Genie scam detection tool to Anthropic’s Claude, making scam checks available across all Claude tiers.

Users can now analyse suspicious emails, text messages, links and images within a Claude conversation by turning on the Norton connector. The tool assesses whether content appears safe, risky or fraudulent and can also provide general cyber safety advice.

The move extends Norton’s recent push to place its scam detection technology inside mainstream artificial intelligence assistants. Earlier this year, Norton introduced Genie to ChatGPT, and the Claude launch adds another large consumer AI platform to that effort.

Scam detection has become a growing use case for AI assistants as consumers increasingly ask chatbots to assess whether messages, offers or requests are genuine. The service is designed for common situations such as package delivery texts, account suspension emails, suspicious links and online offers.

How It Works

Within Claude, Norton Genie reviews the broader context of a message rather than isolated keywords. The system examines language patterns, urgency cues, impersonation attempts, requests for sensitive information and other signs of social engineering.

It also analyses URLs and domains by expanding links, inspecting destination sites and evaluating trust and reputation signals. Based on that review, the service tells users whether to avoid replying, not click a link or delete a message.

The integration also reflects a wider shift in how cyber security companies are trying to meet users where online decisions are made. Instead of asking people to switch apps or use separate websites, this model places fraud checks directly inside the conversational tools many people already use to evaluate information.

That approach matters because scams now appear across a broad range of digital settings, from text messages and social platforms to online marketplaces, dating apps and fake customer support exchanges. The rise of AI-generated material has added another layer of difficulty by making fraudulent content more personalised and convincing.

The launch also sits within Norton’s broader consumer safety business under parent company Gen.

“AI assistants are becoming part of how people make decisions and evaluate information online,” said Travis Witteveen, Head of Products and Portfolios, Gen. “People are already asking AI tools whether something feels legitimate, suspicious, or safe to engage with. By bringing Norton Genie into even more AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT, we’re making trusted Cyber Safety intelligence available directly in those moments to help people make more confident decisions in real time.”

Everyday Use

Norton framed the Claude integration around routine consumer questions rather than specialist security tasks. Its examples included checking whether a missed delivery text is legitimate, whether an urgent account warning is real, whether a link looks suspicious and whether an online offer may be a scam.

That everyday positioning is important for AI platforms trying to broaden practical use beyond writing, search and coding. It also gives cyber safety providers a route into daily consumer interactions at a time when phishing and impersonation fraud continue to evolve.

Norton’s anti-scam systems already support millions of people across products in the Gen portfolio. By moving Genie into Claude, Norton is widening access to that intelligence without requiring users to leave the assistant interface.

The launch adds to competition among security companies and AI platform providers to build trust features into consumer-facing services. As assistants are used more often to assess messages and links, integrations like this suggest scam screening may become a standard function rather than a separate security step.

In Claude, the service can review suspicious emails, texts, messages, images and links and provide “clear, easy-to-understand guidance directly in Claude, explaining why something may be risky and what steps to take next, such as avoiding a reply, not clicking a link, or deleting the message altogether.”

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

The UK government has moved to allow digital identity apps to be used as proof of age for alcohol sales. From Autumn 2026, certified apps such as Yoti and Post Office EasyID could be accepted.

The measure follows the laying of a statutory instrument to amend the Mandatory Licensing Conditions. It remains subject to parliamentary procedure, but if approved it will widen proof-of-age options for people buying alcohol in shops, pubs, bars and other licensed venues.

Under the updated rules, only digital identity apps provided by certified and registered Digital Verification Services will be accepted. Yoti and Post Office EasyID already meet those requirements, according to Yoti.

The change marks a notable shift in how age checks are carried out in retail and hospitality settings. Instead of presenting a physical driving licence or passport, users of approved apps would be able to show digital proof of age on their phone.

More than 8 million people in the UK have already downloaded either the Yoti app or Post Office EasyID, according to Yoti, which added that thousands more download the apps each day.

Under the process described by Yoti, customers open the app, take a selfie to confirm they are the owner of the digital ID, then show an age credential to a member of staff or at a self-checkout. This allows people to prove they are over 18 without disclosing other personal details, the company said.

For businesses, Yoti offers an ID Checker app that staff can use to scan a QR code shown in a customer’s digital ID app. The tool is designed to verify whether the credential is valid without displaying or storing personal information.

Yoti said the ID Checker app will accept any digital ID that is certified and listed on the Digital Verification Services register. More than 13,000 people across the UK have already installed the free version of the checker app, according to the company.

The government’s approach limits acceptance to registered and certified providers rather than opening alcohol age verification to any digital wallet or app. The framework is intended to ensure that only approved services can be used in licensed premises.

Certified providers can use different sources of identity evidence when setting up a digital proof of age. These can include physical documents, information held by public authorities and digital credentials issued by government.

That means future forms of government-backed digital identification, such as a digital driving licence, could also become relevant to alcohol age checks once they are available through certified services. For now, Yoti and Post Office EasyID are among the services most directly positioned to benefit from the change.

The development is likely to be watched closely by retailers and hospitality operators that handle high volumes of age-restricted sales. It also adds to the broader use of digital identity systems in everyday transactions, as policymakers and businesses test whether app-based checks can reduce reliance on paper and plastic documents.

Robin Tombs, Chief Executive Officer of Yoti, welcomed the move in a statement.

“The acceptance of Digital IDs for alcohol sales is a major milestone for the UK. This will transform how people prove their age at licensed premises including supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs. We’ve been working towards this for years. When we started Yoti in 2014, young adults told us they wanted to use our app at the supermarket and on nights out. We’re excited this will soon become a reality. With our Digital ID app for customers and ID Checker app for businesses, we’re setting a new standard for age checks in the digital age. This technology will empower businesses to confidently accept digital IDs, ensuring compliance while improving the customer experience. People should be able to prove their age without revealing any other personal information, and Yoti digital proof of age makes that possible. We welcome these changes, which will give licensed businesses a trusted way to verify age while offering millions of individuals a faster and more convenient experience,” said Robin Tombs, Chief Executive Officer of Yoti.

The 66-year-old Chipping Norton farmer was flying out of Boston, USA, when he announced his drink is now available on BA flights.

Announcing the partnership with the airlines, the former Top Gear host said: “Farmers of the UK, good news.

“You know we buy your barley to turn into Hawkstone lager? Well British Airways, which is where I am now, is now serving that lager on their flights. I kid you not, they are.”

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson signs exclusive deal with British Airways

In an update, British Airways has revealed the lager will not be sold on long-haul flights but rather its short-haul journeys.

Responding to questions, a spokeswoman told us: “Yes we currently offer Hawkstone on board our short-haul flights,  where customers can purchase through our High Life Cafe.”

The High Life Cafe is the buy-on-board food and drink service for economy class passengers on short-haul and domestic British Airways flights

A 330ml can of Hawkstone Premium Lager is available on flights for £5.75 or 1,030 AVIOS points.

The deal is the latest in a long line of contracts being signed for Mr Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand.

It is now sold in Waitrose, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Marston’s pubs.

Hawkstone, named after a Cotswold stone, was announced earlier this year as the fastest-growing company in the region in the fourth annual Sunday Times 100 rankings.

The brewery, whose largest shareholder is the 65-year-old presenter, was ranked 23rd on the list, which ranks the 100 leading entrepreneurial businesses in the UK.

The brand is led by managing director Owen Jenkins, 44, and has expanded into more than 1,500 UK pubs.