Reports published by cybersecurity researchers indicated that data linked to approximately 17.5 million Instagram accounts has been offered for sale on underground forums.
The dataset reportedly includes usernames, contact details and physical address information, raising broader concerns around digital privacy and data aggregation.
A few hours later, Instagram responded by stating that no breach of internal systems occurred. According to the company, some users received password reset emails after an external party abused a feature that has since been addressed.
The platform said affected accounts remained secure, with no unauthorised access recorded.
Security analysts have noted that risks arise when online identifiers are combined with external datasets, rather than originating from a single platform.
Such aggregation can increase exposure to targeted fraud, impersonation and harassment, reinforcing the importance of cautious digital security practices across social media ecosystems.
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SoftBank Group and OpenAI announced a strategic partnership with SB Energy, involving a combined investment of $1 billion to support the development of large-scale AI data centres and energy infrastructure in the US.
The agreement forms part of the broader Stargate initiative, which aims to expand domestic AI computing capacity.
As part of the arrangement, OpenAI signed a lease for a 1.2 gigawatt data centre project in Milam County, Texas, with SB Energy selected to develop and operate the facility.
The partners stated that the project is designed to support the rising demand for AI computing while minimising water usage and enhancing local energy supply.
SB Energy also secured an additional $800 million in redeemable preferred equity from Ares, strengthening its financial position for further expansion.
The companies stated that the collaboration is expected to generate construction employment, long-term operational roles and investment in grid modernisation, while establishing a scalable model for future AI-focused data centre developments.
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A series of agreements has been announced by Meta to support nuclear energy projects in the US, aiming to secure up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean and reliable electricity for data centres and AI infrastructure by 2035. The company said the move supports grid stability while reinforcing domestic energy capacity.
The agreements include support for existing nuclear facilities operated by Vistra in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as commitments to advanced reactor developers TerraPower and Oklo.
Meta stated that the arrangements are intended to extend the operational life of current plants while accelerating the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies.
According to Meta, the projects are expected to generate thousands of construction roles and hundreds of long-term operational jobs, while contributing to the firm’s power to regional electricity grids.
The company added that energy costs associated with its data centres are fully covered through corporate agreements, instead of being passed on to US consumers.
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The US AI company, xAI, plans to establish a large-scale data centre in Southaven, Mississippi, representing an investment of more than $20 billion. The project is expected to create several hundred permanent jobs across DeSoto County.
xAI has acquired an existing facility that will be refurbished to support data centre operations, located near additional energy and computing infrastructure already linked to xAI.
Once operational, the Southaven site in the US is expected to expand the company’s overall computing capacity significantly.
State and local authorities approved incentive measures for the project, including tax exemptions available to certified data centres.
Officials indicated that the investment is expected to contribute to local tax revenues supporting public services and infrastructure, while operations are scheduled to begin in February 2026.
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Supermarket chain Wegmans Food Markets is facing scrutiny over its use of facial recognition technology. The issue emerged after New York City stores displayed signs warning that biometric data could be collected for security purposes.
New York law requires businesses to disclose biometric data collection, but the wording of the notices alarmed privacy advocates. Wegmans later said it only uses facial recognition, not voice or eye scans, and only in a small number of higher-risk stores.
According to the US company, the system identifies individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct, such as theft or threatening behaviour. Wegmans says facial recognition is just one investigative tool and that all actions are subject to human review.
Critics argue the signage suggests broader surveillance than the company admits. Wegmans has not explained why the notices mention eyes and voice if that data is not collected, or when the wording might be revised.
Lawmakers in Connecticut have now proposed a ban on retail facial recognition. Supporters say grocery shopping is essential and that biometric monitoring weakens meaningful customer consent.
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Most Americans now use the internet daily and own smartphones, according to new Pew Research Center data. Around four in ten adults describe their internet use as almost constant.
Broadband access remains widespread, yet sharp income gaps persist across the US. Just over half of households earning under $30,000 subscribe, compared with almost all higher earners.
Smartphone ownership is nearly universal, even among older age groups. Many lower-income and younger adults increasingly rely on phones as their primary internet connection.
Researchers say digital inequality remains a defining challenge despite technological progress. Policymakers face pressure to address affordability, access, and long-term digital inclusion nationwide.
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Universiti Malaya Medical Centre has carried out what it described as one of the world’s first real-time, multi-country live surgeries using a 5G-enabled AI and extended reality platform.
The ear, nose, and throat procedure took place in Petaling Jaya using apoQlar’s HoloMedicine Robotics extended reality system. Surgeons were connected with international students and specialists through CelcomDigi’s 5G network.
The platform delivered three-dimensional views, live annotations, and two-way communication between the surgical team and international experts. CelcomDigi said its ultra-low-latency 5G connectivity enabled high-definition video and synchronised audio throughout the procedure.
UMMC said the live surgeries initiative demonstrated how extended reality and AI tools can support remote training and specialist collaboration without disrupting clinical workflows. The hospital plans to conduct further live urology, colorectal, and ENT sessions using the same system.
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South Korea’s flagship AI foundation model project has entered a decisive phase after accusations that leading participants relied on foreign open source components instead of building systems entirely independently.
The controversy has reignited debate over how ‘from scratch’ development should be defined within government-backed AI initiatives aimed at strengthening national sovereignty.
Scrutiny has focused on Naver Cloud after developers identified near-identical similarities between its vision encoder and models released by Alibaba, alongside disclosures that audio components drew on OpenAI technology.
Naver Cloud defended the approach as an engineering choice for stability and interoperability, insisting the core reasoning model remains proprietary and can later replace external modules.
The dispute now sits with the Ministry of Science and ICT, which must determine whether independence applies only to a model’s core or extends to all major components.
An outcome that is expected to shape South Korea’s AI strategy by balancing deeper self-reliance against the realities of global open-source ecosystems.
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Elon Musk’s platform X has restricted image editing with its AI chatbot Grok to paying users, following widespread criticism over the creation of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes.
The move comes after Grok allowed users to digitally alter images of people, including removing clothing without consent. While free users can still access image tools through Grok’s separate app and website, image editing within X now requires a paid subscription linked to verified user details.
Legal experts and child protection groups said the change does not address the underlying harm. Professor Clare McGlynn said limiting access fails to prevent abuse, while the Internet Watch Foundation warned that unsafe tools should never have been released without proper safeguards.
UK government officials urged regulator Ofcom to use its full powers under the Online Safety Act, including possible financial restrictions on X. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the creation of sexualised AI images involving adults and children as unlawful and unacceptable.
The controversy has renewed pressure on X to introduce stronger ethical guardrails for Grok. Critics argue that restricting features to subscribers does not prevent misuse, and that meaningful protections are needed to stop AI tools from enabling image-based abuse.
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Google is reshaping Gmail around its Gemini AI models, aiming to turn email into a proactive assistant for more than three billion users worldwide.
With inbox volumes continuing to rise, the focus shifts towards managing information flows instead of simply sending and receiving messages.
New AI Overviews allow Gmail to summarise long email threads and answer natural language questions directly from inbox content.
Users can retrieve details from past conversations without complex searches, while conversation summaries roll out globally at no cost, with advanced query features reserved for paid AI subscriptions.
Writing tools are also expanding, with Help Me Write, upgraded Suggested Replies, and Proofread features designed to speed up drafting while preserving individual tone and style.
Deeper personalisation is planned through connections with other Google services, enabling emails to reflect broader user context.
A redesigned AI Inbox further prioritises urgent messages and key tasks by analysing communication patterns and relationships.
Powered by Gemini 3, these features begin rolling out in the US in English, with additional languages and regions scheduled to follow during 2026.
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