Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek faces South Korean scrutiny over unauthorised data transfers

South Korea’s data protection authority has flagged serious privacy concerns over the operations of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, accusing the company of transferring personal data and user-generated content abroad without consent. 

The findings come after a months-long investigation into the company’s conduct following its app launch in the South Korean market earlier this year.

According to the Personal Information Protection Commission, DeepSeek, officially registered as Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. Ltd., failed to obtain user permission before transmitting personal information and AI prompt content to companies based in China and the US. 

This activity reportedly occurred during the app’s availability in local app stores in January.

In a particularly troubling revelation, the commission stated that DeepSeek forwarded user prompts, along with device and network information, to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd. 

The startup later explained this was part of an effort to enhance user experience, but confirmed it stopped the transfer of such data on 10 April.

As a result, the commission has recommended that DeepSeek delete the previously shared content and immediately secure a lawful framework for any future overseas data transfers. 

Responding indirectly, China’s Foreign Ministry stressed that Beijing does not require companies to collect or store data illegally, asserting its stance amid growing international scrutiny over Chinese firms’ data practices. 

Meanwhile, DeepSeek has yet to respond publicly to the commission’s findings.

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WhatsApp introduces privacy feature to block Meta AI

Meta has come under fire for integrating its AI assistant into WhatsApp, with users spotting an unremovable blue circle representing Meta AI’s presence.

While Google has favoured opt-in models for AI tools, Meta’s approach has sparked backlash, with some critics accusing it of disregarding WhatsApp’s privacy-first roots. Though users can’t remove the assistant entirely, WhatsApp now offers a workaround to disable its functions in individual chats.

A new ‘Advanced Chat Privacy’ setting allows users to block AI interactions on a chat-by-chat basis. When enabled, this feature prevents chats from being exported, stops media from auto-downloading, and crucially, disables AI from accessing messages.

WhatsApp says this is part of a broader plan to offer greater privacy controls, reaffirming its focus on secure and private messaging.

Meta maintains that it cannot read message content and that only limited data is shared when AI is used. Still, the company advises against sharing sensitive information with Meta AI.

The new privacy setting is being rolled out to all users on the latest version of WhatsApp and can be activated via the chat settings menu.

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Microsoft expands rewards for reporting AI vulnerabilities

Microsoft has announced an expanded bug bounty initiative, offering up to $30,000 for researchers who uncover critical vulnerabilities in AI features within Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform.

The programme aims to strengthen security in enterprise software by encouraging ethical hackers to identify and report risks before cybercriminals can exploit them.

Rather than relying on general severity scales, Microsoft has introduced an AI-specific vulnerability classification system. It highlights prompt injection attacks, data poisoning during training, and techniques like model stealing and training data reconstruction that could expose sensitive information.

Highest payouts are reserved for flaws that allow attackers to access other users’ data or perform privileged actions without their consent.

The company urges researchers to use free trials of its services, such as PowerApps and AI Builder, to identify weaknesses. Detailed product documentation is provided to help participants understand the systems they are testing.

Even reports that don’t qualify for a financial reward can still lead to recognition if they result in improved defences.

The AI bounty initiative is part of Microsoft’s wider commitment to collaborative cybersecurity. With AI becoming more deeply integrated into enterprise software, the company says it is more important than ever to identify vulnerabilities early instead of waiting for security breaches to occur.

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Meta adds live translation to Ray-Ban smart glasses

Meta is enhancing its Ray-Ban smart glasses with new capabilities, including live language translation and broader AI integration.

Users can now access real-time translations in English, French, Italian, and Spanish, even without internet access if language packs are downloaded beforehand. The feature is available across all markets where the glasses are sold, aiming to break down communication barriers during travel and everyday use.

In the United States and Canada, Meta AI is gaining powerful new functionality, allowing the assistant to interpret visuals from the glasses’ built-in camera. This update lets users receive context-aware responses, such as identifying landmarks or translating menus.

Previously in beta testing, the ‘see what you see’ feature is moving to a full release. Messaging tools are also expanding, enabling communication via Instagram, in addition to WhatsApp, Messenger, and native SMS.

Aesthetic updates include new colour and lens options for the Skyler frame. Music lovers will benefit from broader support for streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Shazam in more countries.

Meta also confirmed upcoming launches of the glasses in Mexico, India, and the UAE, while EU users will soon gain access to Meta AI’s visual search tools.

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Ransomware decline masks growing threat

A recent drop in reported ransomware attacks might seem encouraging, yet experts warn this is likely misleading. Figures from the NCC Group show a 32% decline in March 2025 compared to the previous month, totalling 600 incidents.

However, this dip is attributed to unusually large-scale attacks in earlier months, rather than an actual reduction in cybercrime. In fact, incidents were up 46% compared with March last year, highlighting the continued escalation in threat activity.

Rather than fading, ransomware groups are becoming more sophisticated. Babuk 2.0 emerged as the most active group in March, though doubts surround its legitimacy. Security researchers believe it may be recycling leaked data from previous breaches, aiming to trick victims instead of launching new attacks.

A tactic like this mirrors behaviours seen after law enforcement disrupted other major ransomware networks, such as LockBit in 2024.

Industrials were the hardest hit, followed by consumer-focused sectors, while North America bore the brunt of geographic targeting.

With nearly half of all recorded attacks occurring in the region, analysts expect North America, especially Canada, to remain a prime target amid rising political tensions and cyber vulnerability.

Meanwhile, cybercriminals are turning to malvertising, malicious code hidden in online advertisements, as a stealthier route of attack. This tactic has gained traction through the misuse of trusted platforms like GitHub and Dropbox, and is increasingly being enhanced with generative AI tools.

Instead of relying solely on technical expertise, attackers now use AI to craft more convincing and complex threats. As these strategies grow more advanced, experts urge organisations to stay alert and prioritise threat intelligence and collaboration to navigate this volatile cyber landscape.

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Gemini user surge trails ChatGPT and Meta AI

Google’s Gemini AI chatbot has rapidly gained popularity, reaching over 350 million global users by March 2025.

The milestone was revealed during testimony in the ongoing US antitrust trial against Google, where the company is facing scrutiny over its dominance in the search market.

Daily active users of the app have surged to more than 35 million, a significant leap from just nine in October 2024.

The rise in Gemini’s adoption may be linked to its integration with Samsung devices, Google Workspace, and Chrome. In the past year, Google also rolled out improved versions of the chatbot — Gemini 2.0 and Gemini 2.5 — which have reportedly enhanced its capabilities.

Despite the growth, Gemini still trails OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s AI assistant, which reported 600 million and 500 million monthly active users, respectively.

Testimony in court also revealed Google pays substantial sums to Samsung to pre-install Gemini on its devices, raising further concerns about the company’s dominance.

The current phase of the trial focuses on potential penalties for Google after a 2024 ruling found its search engine to be an illegal monopoly.

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India deepens ties with Finland and Denmark

India is intensifying its strategic ties with Finland and Denmark as part of a broader effort to deepen cooperation with key Nordic countries.

In recent high-level conversations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

These discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations in advanced technologies such as quantum computing, 5G and 6G, AI, and cybersecurity, instead of limiting collaboration to traditional sectors. Sustainability, mobility, and digital transformation also featured prominently.

Modi and Stubb underlined the importance of India-Finland cooperation within the wider context of EU relations. Both leaders expressed hope for a timely conclusion of an India-EU free trade agreement, a sentiment echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The collaboration aims to bolster efforts in AI for disaster response and climate resilience, secure telecommunications, and semiconductor development, especially given ongoing geopolitical shifts and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In parallel, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership during talks with Frederiksen.

The alliance prioritises environmentally responsible maritime practices instead of relying on conventional methods, and promotes innovation in green technologies and anti-piracy cooperation.

With the third India-Nordic Summit scheduled for later this year in Norway, the focus will be on expanding trade, climate action, and peace efforts with all five Nordic nations.

Meanwhile, India has overtaken Finland as the ‘World’s Happiest Country’ according to the latest Ipsos survey, with 88% of Indian respondents reporting happiness.

A milestone like this reflects a broader sense of national optimism and self-assurance as India continues to strengthen its global partnerships and expand its strategic influence across key sectors.

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BMW partners with DeepSeek for in-car AI features

BMW has announced plans to integrate AI developed by China’s DeepSeek into its vehicles sold in the Chinese market.

The announcement was made by CEO Oliver Zipse during the Shanghai Auto Show, aligning BMW with local brands such as Geely and Zeekr that have adopted similar AI technologies.

The DeepSeek-R1 model has been increasingly used across Chinese automotive sector to power intelligent cockpit systems, voice controls, and driving assistance.

Geely showcased its ‘Full-Domain AI for Smart Vehicles’, which includes AI-powered chassis control and driver interaction capabilities.

DeepSeek’s influence extends beyond automotive applications, with its technology now used in Chinese courtrooms, healthcare, and customer service.

A successor model, DeepSeek-R2, is expected soon and promises multilingual reasoning and enhanced coding capabilities, rivalling Western counterparts.

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Google launches Gemini 2.5 Flash with faster and smarter AI thinking

Google has unveiled Gemini 2.5 Flash, an enhanced version of its AI model that brings improved performance, faster response times, and cost-efficiency for developers and users alike.

Released in preview through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, the model is designed to be highly responsive while also offering advanced reasoning capabilities when needed.

The hybrid design allows developers to toggle the model’s ‘thinking’ function, enabling it to pause before answering to better understand prompts and plan complex responses.

Even with this added step, Gemini 2.5 Flash maintains the quick speeds of its predecessor, Gemini 2.0 Flash, while improving on accuracy and depth of output in areas like mathematics, science, coding, and visual reasoning.

Benchmark tests reveal Gemini 2.5 Flash outperforms competing AI models across a range of technical and analytical tasks.

Developers can begin building with it today, and everyday users can explore the model through the Gemini app, which also features earlier models including Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking and Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental.

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Baidu rolls out new AI agent Xinxiang for Android

Chinese tech giant Baidu has launched a new AI agent, Xinxiang, aimed at enhancing user productivity by assisting with tasks such as information analysis and travel planning.

The tool is currently available on Android devices, with an iOS version still under review by Apple.

According to Baidu, Xinxiang represents a shift from traditional chatbot interactions towards a more task-focused AI experience, providing streamlined assistance tailored to practical needs.

The move reflects growing competition in China’s rapidly evolving AI market.

However, the launch highlights Baidu’s ambition to stay ahead in AI innovation and offer tools that integrate seamlessly into everyday digital life.

As regulatory reviews continue, the success of Xinxiang may depend on user adoption and the speed at which it becomes available across platforms.

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