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NHS looks into Medefer data flaw after security concerns

NHS is investigating allegations that a software flaw at private medical services company Medefer left patient data vulnerable to hacking.

The flaw, discovered in November, affected Medefer’s internal patient record system in the UK, which handles 1,500 NHS referrals monthly.

A software engineer who found the issue believes the vulnerability may have existed for six years, but Medefer denies this claim, stating no data has been compromised.

The engineer discovered that unprotected application programming interfaces (APIs) could have allowed outsiders to access sensitive patient information.

While Medefer has insisted that there is no evidence of any breach, they have commissioned an external security agency to review their systems. The agency confirmed that no breach was found, and the company asserts that the flaw was fixed within 48 hours of being discovered.

Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the potential risks posed by the flaw, emphasising that a proper investigation should have been conducted immediately.

Medefer reported the issue to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), both of which found no further action necessary. However, experts suggest that a more thorough response could have been beneficial given the sensitive nature of the data involved.

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X faces major outage in the US and UK

Social media platform X is experiencing widespread outages in the US and the UK, with thousands of users reporting issues, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.

Reports indicate over 21,000 incidents in the US and more than 10,800 in the UK, suggesting significant disruptions.

Downdetector, which gathers status reports from various sources, noted that the actual number of affected users may be higher.

Many have turned to other platforms to discuss the outage, but X has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The cause of the disruption remains unclear, and there is no official timeline for when full service will be restored. Users continue to face difficulties accessing the platform, impacting communication and social media activity globally.

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China expands university enrolment to boost AI talent

China’s top universities are set to expand undergraduate enrolment to develop talent in key strategic fields, particularly AI.

The move follows the rapid rise of AI startup DeepSeek, which has drawn global attention for producing advanced AI models at a fraction of the usual cost.

The company’s success, largely driven by researchers from elite institutions in China, is seen as a major step in Beijing’s efforts to boost its homegrown STEM workforce.

Peking University announced it would add 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to focus on national strategic needs, particularly in information science, engineering, and clinical medicine.

Renmin University will expand enrolment by over 100 places, aiming to foster innovation in AI. Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans to add 150 spots dedicated to emerging technologies such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy.

This expansion aligns with China’s broader strategy to strengthen its education system and technological capabilities. In January, the government introduced a national action plan to enhance education efficiency and innovation by 2035.

Additionally, authorities plan to introduce AI education in primary and secondary schools to nurture digital skills and scientific curiosity from an early age.

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Taco Bell parent company invests $1 billion in AI-powered restaurant technology

Taco Bell is ramping up its use of AI as part of a broader $1 billion investment by parent company Yum Brands in digital and technology.

At a recent investor event in New York, executives showcased the company’s ‘Byte by Yum’ AI tools, which aim to improve labour management and inventory tracking. Taco Bell’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Dane Mathews, said AI is already being used to streamline operations without reducing labour costs.

Around 500 Taco Bell locations in the United States now use AI-driven voice technology to handle drive-through orders, a significant increase from 100 locations in mid-2024.

During the investor event, executives presented a video skit demonstrating how AI could assist managers by suggesting staffing adjustments and optimising inventory. Analysts found the presentation both innovative and slightly unsettling, with Yum suggesting AI would help free up employees for other tasks rather than replace them.

Fast food chains are increasingly adopting AI to modernise operations, with companies like McDonald’s and Chipotle also investing in automation and digital tools. While Yum’s AI technology is currently used in nearly 25,000 of its 61,000 global restaurants, executives acknowledged there is still a long road ahead.

Analysts believe Yum may eventually commercialise its AI software beyond its own restaurant network. Taco Bell’s AI-driven strategy comes as the chain projects an 8% rise in same-store sales for the current quarter.

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AI to support China’s social welfare system

China is stepping up the use of AI and big data in elderly and social care as it seeks to address economic challenges posed by a shrinking workforce and an ageing population.

Civil affairs minister Lu Zhiyuan announced the initiative at the ‘Two Sessions’ political gathering, highlighting efforts to make services more accessible and efficient.

The country’s population has declined for a third consecutive year, with over 310 million people now aged 60 and above.

Officials are increasingly turning to technology to drive future growth. Local governments have moved swiftly to integrate AI into public services, with DeepSeek‘s chatbot gaining traction since its latest version was released in January.

Despite restrictions on AI chip sales imposed by the United States, DeepSeek’s cost-effective model has outperformed several Western competitors, reinforcing China’s position in AI development.

President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed the government’s support for AI, recently meeting with leaders from top technology firms, including DeepSeek, Tencent, Huawei and Xiaomi.

The push for AI adoption in social welfare services reflects a broader strategy to maintain economic stability and innovation in the face of demographic challenges.

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Labour probe launched into Scale AI’s pay and working conditions

The United States Department of Labor is investigating Scale AI, a data labeling startup backed by Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta, for its compliance with fair pay and working conditions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The inquiry began nearly a year ago during Joe Biden’s presidency, with officials examining whether the company meets federal labour regulations. Scale AI has been cooperating with the department to clarify its business practices and the evolving nature of the AI sector.

Founded in 2016, Scale AI plays a crucial role in training advanced AI models by providing accurately labeled data. The company also operates a platform where researchers exchange AI-related insights, with contributors spanning over 9,000 locations worldwide.

In response to the investigation, a company spokesperson stated that the majority of payments to contributors are made on time, with 90% of payment-related inquiries resolved within three days.

Valued at $14 billion following a late-stage funding round last year, Scale AI serves major clients such as OpenAI, Cohere, Microsoft, and Morgan Stanley.

The company insists that contributor feedback is overwhelmingly positive and maintains that it prioritises fair pay and support for its workforce.

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Fast-delivery firms face antitrust scrutiny in India

Fast-delivery giants Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto are facing an antitrust investigation in India over allegations of deep discounting practices that harm smaller retailers.

The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which represents 400,000 distributors, has filed a case with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to examine the business practices of these companies.

They claim that the discounting strategies of these platforms result in unfair pricing models that harm traditional retailers.

The quick-commerce sector in India, where products are delivered within minutes from local warehouses, has grown rapidly in recent years. However, this growth has come at the expense of brick-and-mortar stores, which cannot match the discounts offered by online platforms.

A recent survey showed a significant shift in consumer behaviour, with many shoppers reducing their purchases from supermarkets and independent stores due to the appeal of fast-delivery options.

The filing by the AICPDF, which has reviewed the pricing of several popular products, accuses companies like Zepto, Swiggy’s Instamart, and Zomato’s Blinkit of offering products at prices significantly lower than those available in traditional stores.

However, this has raised concerns about the long-term impact on local businesses. The CCI is now set to review the case, which may result in a formal investigation.

As India’s quick-commerce market continues to grow, estimated to reach $35 billion by 2030, the regulatory scrutiny of this sector is intensifying. The outcome of this case could shape the future of the industry, especially as companies like Zepto and Swiggy prepare for further expansion.

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Indonesia approves Apple’s local content certificates

Indonesia has granted local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 after the company met requirements for locally-made components.

Apple still needs further approvals from the communications and trade ministries before it can officially sell the devices in the country.

The certification follows Apple’s recent pledge to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, including funding component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre.

Last year, the country had banned iPhone 16 sales due to non-compliance with local content rules.

Industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that Apple received certificates for 11 phone models and nine tablets.

However, negotiations had been ‘tricky’, according to Indonesia’s industry minister. Apple remains outside the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, according to research firm Canalyst.

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Reddit launches new tools to improve user engagement

Reddit has introduced new tools to help users follow community rules and track content performance, aiming to boost engagement on the platform. The update comes after a slowdown in user growth due to Google’s algorithm changes, though traffic from the search engine has since recovered.

Among the new features is a ‘rules check’ tool, currently being tested on smartphones, which helps users comply with subreddit guidelines. Additionally, a post-recovery option allows users to repost content in alternative subreddits if their original submission is removed. Reddit will also suggest subreddits based on post content and clarify posting requirements for specific communities.

The company has enhanced its post insights feature, offering detailed engagement metrics to help users refine their content. This follows Reddit’s December launch of Reddit Answers, an AI-powered search tool designed to provide curated summaries of community discussions, which is still in beta testing.

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Microsoft to boost AI investment in South Africa

Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand (about $296.81 million) by 2027 to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa.

The investment comes in response to the increasing demand for the company’s Azure services in the region, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of businesses integrating AI technology into their operations.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, revealed the initiative during an event in Johannesburg, confirming that the company would also fund technical certification exams for 50,000 individuals.

These exams will cover crucial digital skills, including cloud architecture, AI, and cybersecurity, aiming to address the shortage of skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.

The new investment builds on Microsoft’s previous spending of 20.4 billion rand to establish South Africa’s first enterprise-grade data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

These data centres have become essential hubs for handling the computational demands of AI, as local businesses look to adopt AI-driven solutions.

The company’s broader strategy includes a global commitment to invest around $80 billion in 2025 to further develop data centres and deploy AI and cloud-based applications. South Africa, as a growing tech hub, is expected to play a key role in Microsoft’s plans for the future.

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