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Satellite messaging comes to Xfinity and Spectrum

Comcast and Charter introduced satellite-based emergency messaging for their mobile customers, following Verizon’s lead a day earlier. The new feature is available to Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile users but only on Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices.

The service is powered by Skylo, a non-terrestrial network provider that also helped launch Google’s Satellite SOS feature on the Pixel 9. The function is currently limited to sending emergency messages when users are outside Wi-Fi or cellular coverage.

Both companies plan to expand the feature soon, allowing users to send and receive regular SMS texts via satellite. This move places Comcast and Charter among many carriers exploring satellite connectivity.

Other telecom giants are also advancing in this space. T-Mobile is working with Starlink to offer direct-to-cell satellite messaging, while AT&T is developing capabilities similar to AST SpaceMobile, signalling a broader shift in how mobile networks handle connectivity in remote areas.

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New Airbyte connectors support AI and data privacy

San Francisco-based data startup Airbyte has unveiled a new set of enterprise tools aimed at helping companies move and manage data more securely, especially as AI becomes more central to operations. The updates, announced Thursday, include new connectors for apps such as NetSuite, SAP, and ServiceNow, as well as support for extracting unstructured data from platforms like Google Drive and SharePoint.

A key highlight of the release is compatibility with Apache Iceberg, an open-source format that enables businesses to centralise data into a single, AI-compatible “lakehouse.” This allows companies to better control how and where their data flows while preserving the flexibility needed for high-performance analytics and machine learning.

Airbyte co-founder and CEO Michel Tricot stressed the importance of data sovereignty in an AI-driven era. He noted that while AI tools can be powerful, giving away sensitive internal data, like employee compensation or strategic business metrics, to external services is a risk many companies are no longer willing to take. Airbyte’s approach ensures that only the enterprise sees and manages its data pipelines.

Founded in 2020, Airbyte now serves over 7,000 enterprise clients, including names like Invesco and Calendly, and has secured more than $181 million in funding. As businesses continue to prioritise secure, scalable infrastructure for AI, Airbyte’s offerings are positioning it as a go-to partner for data portability without compromise.

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US judiciary faces pressure as Trump challenges court rulings

Donald Trump has called on the Supreme Court to restrict the power of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions that block his administration’s policies.

The appeal follows legal challenges to several of his initiatives, including efforts to limit automatic birthright citizenship. In a social media post, Trump warned that if the court did not act, the United States would face serious consequences.

The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to narrow three nationwide injunctions that have halted Trump’s birthright citizenship order.

Chief Justice John Roberts recently criticised Trump for calling for the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against a policy involving deportation flights to Venezuela. Roberts stressed that judicial decisions should be challenged through appeals rather than political intervention.

Nationwide injunctions have historically been used against both Republican and Democratic administrations, with courts previously blocking major policies under President Joe Biden.

The legal battle highlights growing tensions between the White House and the judiciary, as Trump’s sweeping executive actions continue to face significant legal obstacles.

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Web access comes to Anthropic Claude chatbot

Anthropic has added web search functionality to its Claude chatbot, marking a major step forward for the AI assistant. The feature is now available in preview for paying users in the US, with plans to expand to free users and more countries in the near future. Once enabled via profile settings, Claude will automatically pull information from across the web to help respond to queries, complete with source citations.

The capability is limited to the newest version of Claude, the Claude 3.7 Sonnet model. According to Anthropic, the goal is to combine Claude’s conversational skills with up-to-date information, allowing it to deliver more accurate and relevant AI responses. Early testing suggests the web search doesn’t always activate, particularly for current events, but when it does, it sources from a range of platforms including social media and news outlets.

This move brings Claude in line with competing chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Le Chat, all of which already integrate web access. Anthropic had previously resisted the feature, insisting that Claude was meant to be self-contained, but market pressure appears to have shifted that stance.

Despite the new functionality, concerns persist over accuracy. Studies have shown that leading chatbots regularly produce incorrect or misleading responses when sourcing from the internet. Anthropic acknowledges these risks but believes that providing clear citations and structured output will help mitigate confusion and improve user trust.

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Downdetector shows sharp decline in Instagram outage reports

Reports of an Instagram outage in the US fell sharply on Thursday evening, indicating that service had been largely restored. According to outage tracking website Downdetector, incidents dropped from a peak of 19,431 to just 429 by 8:34 p.m. ET.

The cause of the disruption remains unclear, and Instagram owner Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Downdetector compiles outage data from user reports, meaning the actual number of affected users may vary.

Many users in the United States had initially reported problems accessing the platform, but the rapid decline in complaints suggests that most issues have been resolved.

Instagram has experienced occasional service disruptions in the past, with similar outages affecting users worldwide.

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US judge says Social Security unlawfully shared data with Musk’s aides

A federal judge has ruled that the Social Security Administration (SSA) likely violated privacy laws by granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) unrestricted access to millions of Americans’ personal data.

The ruling halts further data sharing and requires DOGE to delete unlawfully accessed records. United States District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander stated that while tackling fraud is important, government agencies must not ignore privacy laws to achieve their goals.

The case has drawn attention to the extent of DOGE’s access to sensitive government databases, including Numident, which contains detailed personal information on Social Security applicants.

The SSA’s leadership allowed DOGE staffers to review vast amounts of data in an effort to identify fraudulent payments. Critics, including advocacy groups and labour unions, argue that the process lacked proper oversight and risked compromising individuals’ privacy.

The ruling marks a major legal setback for DOGE, which has been expanding its influence across multiple federal agencies. The White House condemned the decision, calling it judicial overreach, while SSA officials indicated they would comply with the order.

The controversy highlights growing concerns over government data security and the limits of executive power in managing public records.

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ChatGPT wrongly accuses man of murder

A Norwegian man has lodged a complaint against OpenAI after ChatGPT falsely claimed he had murdered his two sons and was serving a 21-year prison sentence.

Arve Hjalmar Holmen, who has never been accused of any crime, says the chatbot’s response was deeply damaging, leading him to seek action from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority.

Digital rights group Noyb, representing Holmen, argues the incident violates European data protection laws regarding the accuracy of personal data.

The error highlights a growing concern over AI ‘hallucinations,’ where chatbots generate false information and present it as fact.

Holmen received the incorrect response when searching for his own name, with ChatGPT fabricating a detailed and defamatory account of a crime that never occurred. Although the chatbot carries a disclaimer about potential inaccuracies,

Noyb insists this is not enough, arguing that spreading false information cannot be justified by a simple warning label.

AI-generated hallucinations have plagued multiple platforms, including Apple and Google, with some errors being bizarre but others causing real harm.

Experts remain uncertain about the underlying causes of these inaccuracies in large language models, making them a key focus of ongoing research.

While OpenAI has since updated ChatGPT’s model to incorporate current news sources, the case raises questions about accountability and the transparency of AI-generated content.

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EU pushes for satellite internet funding for Ukraine

The European Commission has urged EU nations to fund Ukraine’s access to satellite internet through European commercial providers, amid growing concerns over the country’s reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The call, outlined in a newly published defence white paper, comes as Ukraine faces potential service disruptions unless it agrees to a minerals deal with the US. European satellite operators are now in talks with the EU to explore alternative solutions.

Brussels has proposed granting Kyiv access to the EU’s space programme to ensure stable connectivity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience by diversifying its satellite-based services. Poland, which partially funds Ukraine’s Starlink access, has also backed the need for alternative providers.

Spain’s Hisdesat has confirmed plans to expand its coverage over Ukraine, while other European satellite firms, such as Eutelsat and SES, have been approached for potential involvement.

The move reflects Europe’s broader strategy to secure independent infrastructure for Ukraine and reduce dependence on private or non-EU providers.

The Commission’s proposal, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in how Kyiv maintains vital communications during the ongoing conflict.

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Apple faces EU crackdown over closed technology

The European Commission has ordered Apple to grant rival smartphone, headphone, and virtual reality companies access to its technology and mobile operating system.

The directive, part of the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, aims to curb the dominance of major tech firms and enhance competition. A separate mandate also requires Apple to establish a structured process for responding to interoperability requests from app developers.

Apple strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it places unfair constraints on its ability to innovate and benefits competitors without imposing the same restrictions on them.

Expressing concerns, the company warned that the new rules could negatively impact its products and European users, adding that the additional regulatory burden might slow progress.

The European Commission, however, dismissed Apple’s objections, stating that the order simply enforces existing laws and provides regulatory clarity.

Failure to comply could result in an investigation and potential fines of up to 10% of Apple’s global annual revenue. The ruling underscores the EU’s determination to rein in the power of Big Tech and ensure a more competitive digital market.

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EU faces pressure to boost semiconductor supply chain

Leading semiconductor firms are calling on the European Commission to introduce a follow-up to the 2023 EU Chips Act, arguing that a new policy must extend beyond manufacturing to include chip design, materials, and equipment.

Industry groups say the original programme, while encouraging investment, has failed to attract advanced chipmakers or build a competitive supply chain. Approval processes have also been criticised for being too slow, delaying key projects.

Following discussions in Brussels with European lawmakers, representatives from industry groups ESIA and SEMI Europe announced plans to formally request a ‘Chips Act 2.0’ from the Commission.

They argue that the EU must take decisive action to strengthen the entire semiconductor industry, including research and development as well as supplier subsidies.

European Parliament Member Oliver Schenk highlighted how other regions, such as Taiwan, have successfully integrated suppliers into their chip manufacturing ecosystem, whereas Europe still lacks such cohesion.

The meeting included major semiconductor companies such as NXP, Infineon, Bosch, and STMicroelectronics, alongside equipment makers ASML, ASM, and Zeiss.

Meanwhile, a coalition of nine EU countries has pledged to work with the Commission to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor capabilities.

The Commission has yet to outline specific plans, but it has previously stated its intention to launch investment initiatives this year, particularly in artificial intelligence and technology.

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