A Russian court has fined Google 3.8 million roubles (£32,600) for hosting YouTube videos that allegedly instructed Russian soldiers on how to surrender. The ruling is part of Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on content it deems illegal, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Google has not yet responded to the decision.
Authorities in Russia have frequently ordered foreign tech companies to remove content they claim spreads misinformation. Critics argue that the government is deliberately slowing YouTube‘s download speeds to limit access to material critical of President Vladimir Putin. Moscow denies the accusation, blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure.
President Putin has previously accused Google of being used by Washington to serve political interests. The latest fine is one of many imposed on the company as part of Russia’s broader control over digital platforms.
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Microsoft has deepened its commitment to clean energy by securing a long-term virtual power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables North America. As part of the deal, three large-scale solar projects in the United States will supply Microsoft with 389 megawatts of electricity and renewable energy credits. The agreement aligns with the tech giant’s push to power its expanding AI-driven data centres with sustainable energy sources.
The projects, located in Illinois and Texas, began operations between November and December last year. This includes a 140 MW solar installation in Jacksonville, a 110 MW site near Jerseyville, and a 150 MW park near Austin. EDP Renewables confirmed that this latest agreement brings its total number of operational projects with Microsoft in the US to five.
Big technology firms have significantly ramped up investments in renewable energy as they seek to offset the soaring electricity demand of AI infrastructure. Microsoft’s partnership with EDP Renewables marks another step towards the company’s sustainability targets, reinforcing its ambition to run entirely on renewable energy in the near future.
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Workday has announced plans to cut around 1,750 jobs, or 8.5% of its workforce, as it shifts focus towards AI and international expansion. CEO Carl Eschenbach said the layoffs would help prioritise investments in AI while also freeing up resources to strengthen the company’s presence in different markets. Shares of the California-based human capital management firm rose over 4% in premarket trading following the announcement.
The industry has faced a slowdown in enterprise spending due to high interest rates affecting tech budgets. Workday expects to incur charges of up to $270 million related to the job cuts, with $60 million to $70 million recognised in the fourth quarter. The company, which had around 18,800 employees as of January last year, also plans to close some of its office spaces as part of its cost-cutting strategy.
Workday faces growing competition in the human capital management sector as rivals consolidate through acquisitions. Recent deals include Paychex’s $4.1 billion purchase of Paycor and ADP‘s $1.2 billion acquisition of WorkForce Software. Despite the job cuts, Workday reaffirmed that its financial performance remains on track, with annual subscription revenue expected to reach $7.70 billion and fourth-quarter revenue forecasted at $2.03 billion.
A global law enforcement operation has shut down a series of cybercrime websites used for selling stolen data, pirated software, and hacking tools. The FBI and Europol coordinated the takedown as part of ‘Operation Talent’, targeting platforms associated with Cracked, Nulled, StarkRDP, Sellix, and MySellix.
Seizure notices appeared on the affected websites, and officials confirmed that information on customers and victims had also been obtained. Europol stated that further details would be released within 24 hours, while the FBI has not yet commented on the operation.
Reports suggest that the targeted sites played various roles in the cybercrime ecosystem, facilitating the trade of stolen login credentials, compromised credit card details, and video game cheats. A message in a Cracked Telegram channel acknowledged the seizure, with administrators expressing uncertainty over the next steps.
Authorities continue to investigate, with the crackdown highlighting ongoing efforts to disrupt cybercriminal networks. More updates are expected as officials analyse the seized data and determine potential follow-up actions.
Smiths Group, the British engineering firm known for its baggage-screening and explosive detection equipment, is addressing a cybersecurity breach involving unauthorised access to its systems. The company confirmed on Tuesday that it had isolated the affected systems as soon as the incident was detected.
Efforts are underway with cybersecurity experts to recover impacted systems and assess the broader implications of the breach. Smiths Group assured it is adhering to all regulatory requirements and promised to provide updates as necessary.
The incident, disclosed in the morning, sent the company’s shares down by as much as 2.3% in early trading. No further details have been provided about the breach or its potential consequences.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called Chinese startup DeepSeek’s R1 model “impressive,” highlighting its ability to deliver advanced AI performance at a fraction of the cost. According to DeepSeek, its R1 model is 20 to 50 times cheaper to use than OpenAI’s own models, offering significant affordability without sacrificing quality.
Chinese AI, DeepSeek gained global recognition last month when it revealed that training its DeepSeek-V3 model required less than $6 million in computing resources, leveraging lower-cost Nvidia H800 chips. In contrast, Altman noted that OpenAI remains committed to prioritising increased computing power, suggesting this as an important factor in achieving AI progress.
The emergence of DeepSeek has disrupted the AI industry, leading to a significant sell-off in tech stocks, including Nvidia, which recorded a historic single-day loss of $593 billion in market value. Analysts say DeepSeek’s cost-efficient approach raises doubts about the necessity of the massive financial investments made by US tech firms in AI development.
As DeepSeek continues to attract attention, the startup’s success underscores a shift in the AI market, with low-cost models challenging traditional notions of progress in AI.
A fibre optic cable running under the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden sustained significant damage, likely due to external factors, according to Latvian authorities. The incident prompted NATO to deploy patrol ships and launch a coordinated investigation with Sweden, where the Security Service seized control of a vessel as part of its probe. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina confirmed that her government is collaborating with NATO and neighboring Baltic Sea countries to determine the cause.
Senior prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist stated that investigators are conducting several actions but refrained from disclosing details due to the ongoing preliminary inquiry.
NATO’s recently launched ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission, involving naval and aerial assets, aims to safeguard critical infrastructure in the region following a series of incidents affecting cables, pipelines, and telecom links since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The project also includes the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also emphasized close cooperation with NATO and Latvia in response to the situation.
The damaged cable, located in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, connects Latvia’s Ventspils to Sweden’s Gotland island. The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), which operates the cable, reported switching communications to alternative routes and is contracting a repair vessel. Repairs are expected to proceed more quickly than those for gas pipelines or power cables, as fibre optic cables in the Baltic Sea are typically restored within weeks.
This incident follows last month’s damage to the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and telecom cables, reportedly caused by a Russian tanker dragging its anchor. Finnish and Swedish leaders underscored the importance of bolstering the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. NATO also stated it reserves the right to act against ships deemed security risks while continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, has called on social media companies to take stronger action against disinformation ahead of the federal parliamentary election on 23 February. Faeser urged platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok to label AI-manipulated videos, clearly identify political advertising, and ensure compliance with European laws. She also emphasised the need for platforms to report and remove criminal content swiftly, including death threats.
Faeser met with representatives of major tech firms to underline the importance of transparency in algorithms, warning against the risk of online radicalisation, particularly among young people. Her concerns come amidst growing fears of disinformation campaigns, possibly originating from Russia, that could influence the upcoming election. She reiterated that platforms must ensure they do not fuel societal division through unchecked content.
Calls for greater accountability in the tech industry are gaining momentum. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised social media owners for enabling algorithms that erode democracy and “poison society.” Faeser’s warnings highlight the growing international demand for stronger regulations on social media to safeguard democratic processes.
South Sudan has suspended access to social media platforms for at least 30 days following violent riots triggered by videos allegedly showing the killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan’s El Gezira state. The decision, announced by the National Communications Authority on Wednesday, aims to curb the spread of extreme content and prevent further unrest. Mobile operators MTN South Sudan and Zain confirmed that platforms like Facebook and TikTok would be inaccessible for up to 90 days.
The riots, which erupted in the capital, Juba and other cities, led to the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals. Angry youths looted shops, vandalised property, and burned homes belonging to Sudanese nationals, believing Sudan’s military and its allies were involved in the El Gezira killings. South Sudanese authorities have condemned the violence, urging calm and restraint.
The Sudanese army has also criticised what it described as ‘individual violations’ in El Gezira. The social media ban is part of a broader effort to restore order and prevent further acts of retaliation, as tensions remain high between the neighbouring nations.
US authorities, including the Commerce Department and the FBI, are investigating Baicells Technologies, a telecom hardware company with ties to China, over potential security risks. Founded by former Huawei executives, Baicells has supplied telecom equipment to 700 networks across the US since opening its North American branch in 2015. The investigations focus on national security concerns, particularly around the company’s Chinese origins and its equipment’s potential vulnerability to espionage. The FBI’s interest in Baicells goes back to 2019, and recent reports suggest that the Pentagon has added the company to a list of entities connected to China’s military.
While Baicells has denied any wrongdoing and pledged full cooperation with US authorities, the company faces mounting scrutiny amid fears that Chinese-made telecom equipment could be used for surveillance or cyber attacks. In particular, base stations and routers provided by Baicells have been flagged for vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to compromise sensitive networks. The FBI has already contacted local US entities, such as the city of Las Vegas, to raise security concerns regarding Baicells’ technology.
Despite Baicells’ claims that it no longer has ties to its Chinese parent company, its history and ownership structure continue to raise doubts. Many of its top executives and a significant portion of its staff have links to Huawei, further fueling suspicions about the company’s operations. In recent years, Baicells has attempted to distance itself from its Chinese roots, stating that its infrastructure is increasingly built in Taiwan, though much of its equipment still originates from China. The ongoing investigations highlight the broader concerns in Washington about the risks posed by Chinese-linked technology in critical infrastructure.
