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Quantum tech could break online security, warns India

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), alongside cybersecurity firm SISA, cautions that these powerful machines could soon break the encryption used to protect everything from online banking to personal identity systems.

CERT-In’s new white paper outlines how attackers may already be stockpiling encrypted data to unlock later using quantum tools, a tactic called ‘harvest now, decrypt later’. If left unaddressed, this strategy could expose sensitive data stored today once quantum technology matures.

AI is adding to the urgency. As it becomes more embedded in digital systems, it also increases access to user data, raising the stakes if encryption is compromised. The biggest digital systems in India, including Aadhaar, cryptocurrencies, and smart devices, are seen as particularly exposed to this looming risk.

Everyday users are advised to take precautions: update devices regularly, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and avoid storing sensitive data online long-term. Services like Signal or ProtonMail, which use strong encryption, are also recommended.

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Mistral’s chatbot Le Chat takes on ChatGPT with major upgrade

France-based AI startup Mistral has rolled out a major update to Le Chat, its AI chatbot, introducing new features aimed at challenging rivals like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. The update includes Deep Research, voice interaction, reasoning capabilities and a refreshed image editor.

According to the company’s latest blog post, the new Deep Research mode transforms Le Chat into a structured assistant that can clarify needs, search sources and deliver summarised findings. The tool enables users to receive comprehensive responses in a neatly formatted report.

In addition, Mistral unveiled Vocal mode, allowing users to speak to the chatbot as if they were talking to a person. The feature is powered by the firm’s voice input model, Voxtral, which handles voice recognition in real time.

The company also introduced Think mode, based on its Magistral reasoning model. Designed for multilingual and complex tasks, the feature provides thoughtful and clear responses, even when answering legal or professional queries in languages like Spanish or Japanese.

For users juggling multiple conversations or tasks, the new Projects tool groups related chats into separate spaces. Each project includes a dedicated Library for storing files and content, while also remembering individual tools and settings.

Users can upload documents directly into Projects and revisit past chats or references. Content from the Library can also be pulled into the active conversation, supporting a more seamless and personalised experience.

A revamped image editor rounds out the update, offering users the ability to tweak AI-generated visuals while maintaining consistency in character design and fine details. Mistral says the upgrade helps improve image customisation without compromising visual integrity.

All features are now available through Le Chat’s web platform at ‘chat.mistral.ai’ or via the company’s mobile apps on Android and iOS. The update reflects Mistral’s growing ambition to differentiate itself in the increasingly competitive AI assistant market.

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Hackers hide malware using DNS TXT records

Hackers are increasingly exploiting DNS records to deliver malware undetected, according to new research from DomainTools.

Instead of relying on typical delivery methods such as emails or downloads, attackers now hide malicious code within DNS TXT records, part of the Domain Name System, often overlooked by security systems.

The method involves converting malware into hexadecimal code, splitting it into small segments, and storing each chunk in the TXT record of subdomains under domains like whitetreecollective.com.

Once attackers gain limited access to a network, they retrieve these chunks via ordinary-looking DNS queries, reassembling them into functioning malware without triggering antivirus or firewall alerts.

The rising use of encrypted DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS makes detecting such queries harder, especially without in-house DNS resolvers equipped for deep inspection.

Researchers also noted that attackers are using DNS TXT records for malware and embedding harmful text designed to manipulate AI systems through prompt injection.

Ian Campbell of DomainTools warns that even organisations with strong security measures struggle to detect such DNS-based threats due to the hidden nature of the traffic.

Instead of focusing solely on traditional defences, organisations are advised to monitor DNS traffic closely, log and inspect queries through internal resolvers, and restrict DNS access to trusted sources. Educating teams on these emerging threats remains essential for maintaining robust cybersecurity.

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Perplexity AI overtakes ChatGPT on India’s App Store

Perplexity AI has overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top AI app on Apple’s App Store in India, following a new partnership with telecom provider Airtel.

Instead of paying the usual ₹17,000 annual fee for Perplexity AI Pro, Airtel customers now receive a free 12-month subscription, triggering a sharp increase in downloads and user engagement.

Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed the app’s rise to the number one position via LinkedIn.

The Perplexity app, available on iOS and browsers, offers AI search features including image generation, research tools, file analysis, and access to models like Claude, Grok 4, and GPT-4.1.

Although the app has been in the App Store for months, it has not surpassed ChatGPT until now.

The Airtel offer applies to all mobile, broadband, and DTH customers, who can redeem their subscription directly through the Airtel Thanks app.

Instead of limiting access to just the app, Perplexity Pro users can also use its advanced AI functionalities via Safari or Chrome browsers.

The offer is seen as especially beneficial for students, researchers, and professionals, encouraging a broader audience to try the service without an upfront payment.

Perplexity’s rapid rise in popularity highlights growing competition in India’s AI app market, with local telecom partnerships becoming a key driver instead of relying solely on organic growth through app stores.

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OpenAI releases ChatGPT agent with task automation tools

OpenAI has introduced a general-purpose AI agent within ChatGPT, aiming to move beyond answering questions by completing various computer-based tasks.

Known as ChatGPT agent, the tool allows users to navigate calendars, generate editable presentations, and write code simply by using natural language prompts.

Rather than acting as a standalone product, ChatGPT agent integrates capabilities from OpenAI’s earlier tools, combining website navigation and in-depth research features.

Rolling out to Pro, Plus, and Team subscribers, the ChatGPT agent also connects with external apps like Gmail and GitHub. Instead of being limited to basic queries, it can access a terminal and use APIs, enabling tasks such as analysing competitors or planning shopping lists.

OpenAI claims its underlying model delivers state-of-the-art results, scoring significantly higher than previous versions on academic and maths benchmarks.

While positioning ChatGPT as its most capable AI tool yet, OpenAI has implemented several new safety measures due to the agent’s potential risks. The company acknowledges its model could amplify harm in sensitive areas like biological and chemical threats.

To mitigate such dangers, OpenAI monitors prompts in real time and turns off ChatGPT’s memory feature within the agent to avoid data leaks through malicious attacks.

Despite these precautions, questions remain over whether the ChatGPT agent will consistently perform complex tasks in the real world. Earlier agent technologies from various companies have often failed to meet expectations.

OpenAI, however, insists its new release represents a more robust step towards fulfilling the vision of practical AI agents.

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Afghan data breach prompts secret UK relocation

A serious data breach involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who sought relocation to the UK has come to light following a High Court ruling.

The incident occurred in February 2022 when a UK Special Forces HQ official mistakenly emailed a spreadsheet containing personal details to an unauthorised recipient.

Names, contact details and family information of those who feared Taliban reprisals due to their ties to British forces were exposed.

The breach only surfaced in August 2023 after some names appeared on Facebook, prompting fears the Taliban could gain access to the data.

The government created the Afghanistan Response Route in secret to mitigate the risk, separate from the Arap scheme. Around 20,000 were deemed eligible, with 16,000 already relocated to the UK by May 2025, though an estimated 80,000 remain at risk.

A government review concluded the leak was unlikely to trigger mass reprisals, though those affected still consider it a severe failure. The scheme has already cost £400 million, with a further £450 million expected, contributing to a total Afghan relocation bill of up to £6 billion.

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xAI eyes data centre deal with Humain

Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has entered early discussions with Humain to secure data centre capacity instead of relying solely on existing infrastructure.

According to Bloomberg, the arrangement could involve several gigawatts of capacity, although Humain has yet to start building its facilities, meaning any deal would take years to materialise.

Humain is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). xAI is reportedly considering a fresh funding round where PIF might also invest.

At the same time, xAI is negotiating with a smaller company constructing a 200-megawatt data centre, offering a more immediate solution while waiting for larger projects.

Rather than operating in isolation, xAI joins AI competitors like Google, Meta and Microsoft in racing to secure vast computing power for training large AI models. The push for massive data centre capacity reflects the escalating demands of advanced AI systems.

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LEO becomes Africa’s first AI chatbot to enable remittances

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has introduced cross-border payments via its AI chatbot, LEO, enabling instant transfers across African nations in local currencies.

However, this marks the first time an AI-powered chatbot has facilitated such transactions on the continent.

The feature relies on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, developed by Afreximbank, which allows seamless fund transfers between African countries supported by their central banks. It eliminates the need for hard currencies and aims to reduce fees while supporting financial inclusion.

UBA said the service allows customers to send and receive money across borders within seconds through self-service channels, with zero charges for recipients.

The initiative also supports Africa’s wider economic ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

The bank operates in 20 African countries and serves over 45 million customers worldwide. CEO Oliver Alawuba described the development as a bold step toward digital innovation and Pan-African integration.

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How cultural heritage can go green through digital preservation

A Europe-wide survey has exposed how cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) protect humanity’s legacy digitally while unintentionally harming the environment.

Instead of focusing only on efficiency, the Europeana Climate Action Community recommends a shift towards environmentally sustainable and regenerative digital preservation.

Led by the Environmental Sustainability Practice Task Force, the survey collected input from 108 organisations across 24 EU countries. While 80% of CHIs recognise environmental responsibility, just 42% follow formal environmental strategies and a mere 14% measure carbon footprints.

Many maintain redundant data backups without assessing the ecological cost, and most lack policies for retiring digital assets responsibly.

The report suggests CHIs develop community-powered archives, adopt hardware recycling and repair, and prioritise sufficiency instead of maximising digital volume. Interviews with institutions such as the National Library of Finland and the POLIN Museum revealed good practices alongside common challenges.

With digital preservation increasingly essential, the Europeana Initiative calls for immediate action. By moving from isolated efficiency efforts to collective regeneration strategies, CHIs can protect cultural memory while reducing environmental impact for future generations.

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Google expands AI tools in Search with new subscriber perks

Google has begun rolling out new AI features in Search, introducing AI-powered phone calling to help users gather business information instead of contacting places manually.

The service, free for everyone in the US, allows people to search for businesses and have Google’s AI check pricing and availability on their behalf.

Subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra receive additional exclusive capabilities. These include access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s most advanced AI model, which supports complex queries such as coding or financial analysis.

Users can enable Gemini 2.5 Pro through the AI Mode tab instead of relying on the default model. Google is also launching Deep Research tools through Deep Search for in-depth investigations related to work, studies, or major life decisions.

Rather than rolling everything out all at once, Google is phasing in the features gradually. AI-powered calling is now available to all Search users in the US, while Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research are becoming available specifically to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

With these updates, Google aims to position Search as more than a simple information tool by transforming it into an active digital assistant capable of handling everyday tasks and complex research instead of merely providing quick answers.

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