Critical infrastructure

Germany drafts reforms expanding offensive cyber powers

Politico reports that Germany is preparing legislative reforms that would expand the legal framework for conducting offensive cyber operations abroad and strengthen authorities to counter hybrid threats.

According to the Interior Ministry, two draft laws are under preparation:

  • One would revise the mandate of Germany’s foreign intelligence service to allow cyber operations outside national territory.
  • A second would grant security services expanded powers to fight back against hybrid threats and what the government describes as active cyber defense.

The discussion in Germany coincides with broader European debates on offensive cyber capabilities. In particular, the Netherlands have incorporated offensive cyber elements into national strategies.

The reforms in Germany remain in draft form and may face procedural and constitutional scrutiny. Adjustments to intelligence mandates could require amendments supported by a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat.

The proposed framework for ‘active cyber defense’ would focus on preventing or mitigating serious threats. Reporting by Tagesschau ndicates that draft provisions may allow operational follow-up measures in ‘special national situations,’ particularly where timely police or military assistance is not feasible.

Opposition lawmakers have raised questions regarding legal clarity, implementation mechanisms, and safeguards. Expanding offensive cyber authorities raises longstanding policy questions, including challenges of attribution to identify responsible actors; risks of escalation or diplomatic repercussions; oversight and accountability mechanisms; and compatibility with international law and norms of responsible state behaviour.

The legislative process is expected to continue through the year, with further debate anticipated in parliament.

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Government AI investment grows while public trust falters

Rising investment in AI is reshaping public services worldwide, yet citizen satisfaction remains uneven. Research across 14 countries shows that nearly 45% of residents believe digital government services still require improvement.

Employee confidence is also weakening, with empowerment falling from 87% three years ago to 73% today. Only 35% of public bodies provide structured upskilling for AI-enabled roles, limiting workforce readiness.

Trust remains a growing concern for public authorities adopting AI. Only 47% of residents say they believe their government will use AI responsibly, exposing a persistent credibility gap.

The study highlights an ‘experience paradox’, in which the automation of legacy systems outpaces meaningful service redesign. Leading nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore rank highly for proactive AI strategies, but researchers argue that leadership vision and structural reform, not funding alone, determine long-term credibility.

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British Transport Police trial live facial recognition at London Bridge station

On 11 February 2026, the British Transport Police (BTP) deployed Live Facial Recognition cameras at London Bridge railway station as the first phase of a six-month trial intended to assess how the technology performs in a busy railway environment.

The pilot, planned with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group, will scan faces passing through designated areas and compare them to a watchlist of individuals wanted for serious offences, generating alerts for officers to review.

BTP says the trial is part of efforts to make the railways safer by quickly identifying high-risk offenders, with future LFR deployments to be announced in advance online.

Operational procedures include deleting images of people not on the authorised database and providing alternative routes for passengers who prefer not to enter recognition zones, with public feedback encouraged via QR codes on signage.

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Russia signals no immediate Google ban as Android dependence remains critical

Officials in Russia have confirmed that no plans are underway to restrict access to Google, despite recent public debate about the possibility of a technical block. Anton Gorelkin, a senior lawmaker, said regulators clarified that such a step is not being considered.

Concerns centre on the impact a ban would have on devices running Android, which are used by a significant share of smartphone owners in the country.

A block on Google would disrupt essential digital services instead of encouraging the company to resolve ongoing legal disputes involving unpaid fines.

Gorelkin noted that court proceedings abroad are still in progress, meaning enforcement options remain open. He added that any future move to reduce reliance on Google services should follow a gradual pathway supported by domestic technological development rather than abrupt restrictions.

The comments follow earlier statements from another lawmaker, Andrey Svintsov, who acknowledged that blocking Google in Russia is technically feasible but unnecessary.

Officials now appear focused on creating conditions that would allow local digital platforms to grow without destabilising existing infrastructure.

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Latam-GPT signals new AI ambition in Latin America

Chile has introduced Latam-GPT to strengthen Latin America’s presence in global AI.

The project, developed by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence with support across South America, aims to correct long-standing biases by training systems on the region’s own data instead of material drawn mainly from the US or Europe.

President Gabriel Boric said the model will help maintain cultural identity and allow the region to take a more active role in technological development.

Latam-GPT is not designed as a conversational tool but rather as a vast dataset that serves as the foundation for future applications. More than eight terabytes of information have been collected, mainly in Spanish and Portuguese, with plans to add indigenous languages as the project expands.

The first version has been trained on Amazon Web Services. At the same time, future work will run on a new supercomputer at the University of Tarapacá, supported by millions of dollars in regional funding.

The model reflects growing interest among countries outside the major AI hubs of the US, China and Europe in developing their own technology instead of relying on foreign systems.

Researchers in Chile argue that global models often include Latin American data in tiny proportions, which can limit accurate representation. Despite questions about resources and scale, supporters believe Latam-GPT can deliver practical benefits tailored to local needs.

Early adoption is already underway, with the Chilean firm Digevo preparing customer service tools based on the model.

These systems will operate in regional languages and recognise local expressions, offering a more natural experience than products trained on data from other parts of the world.

Developers say the approach could reduce bias and promote more inclusive AI across the continent.

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Illicit trafficking payments rise across blockchain channels

Cryptocurrency flows linked to suspected human trafficking services surged sharply in 2025, with transaction volumes rising 85% year-on-year, according to new blockchain analysis.

Investigators say the financial activity reflects the rapid expansion of digitally enabled exploitation networks operating across borders.

Growth is linked to Southeast Asia-based illicit networks, including scam compounds, gambling platforms, and laundering groups operating via encrypted messaging channels.

Analysts identified multiple trafficking service categories, each with distinct transaction structures and payment preferences.

Stablecoins became the dominant payment method, especially for escort networks, thanks to their price stability and ease of conversion. Larger transfers and structured pricing models indicate increasingly professionalised operations supported by organised financial infrastructure.

Despite the scale of the activity, blockchain transparency continues to provide enforcement advantages. Transaction tracing has aided investigations, shutdowns, and arrests, strengthening digital forensics in combating trafficking-linked financial crime.

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Saudi Arabia recasts Vision 2030 with new priorities

The new phase of Vision 2030 is being steered toward technology, digital infrastructure and advanced industry by Saudi Arabia instead of relying on large urban construction schemes.

Officials highlight the need to support sectors that can accelerate innovation, strengthen data capabilities and expand the kingdom’s role in global tech development.

The move aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and build long-term competitiveness in areas such as smart manufacturing, logistics technology and clean energy systems.

Recent adjustments involve scaling back or rescheduling some giga projects so that investment can be channelled toward initiatives with strong digital and technological potential.

Elements of the NEOM programme have been revised, while funding attention is shifting to areas that enable automation, renewable technologies and high-value services.

Saudi Arabia aims to position Riyadh as a regional hub for research, emerging technologies and advanced industries. Officials stress that Vision 2030 remains active, yet its next stage will focus on projects that can accelerate technological adoption and strengthen economic resilience.

The Public Investment Fund continues to guide investment toward ecosystems that support innovation, including clean energy, digital infrastructure and international technology partnerships.

An approach that reflects earlier recommendations to match economic planning with evolving skills, future labour market needs and opportunities in fast-growing sectors.

Analysts note that the revised direction prioritises sustainable growth by expanding the kingdom’s participation in global technological development instead of relying mainly on construction-driven momentum.

Social and regulatory reforms connected to digital transformation also remain part of the Vision 2030 agenda. Investments in training, digital literacy and workforce development are intended to ensure that young people can participate fully in the technology sectors the kingdom is prioritising.

With such a shift, the government seeks to balance long-term economic diversification with practical technological goals that reinforce innovation and strengthen the country’s competitive position.

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AI governance struggles to match rapid adoption

Accelerating AI adoption is exposing clear weaknesses in corporate AI governance. Research shows that while most organisations claim to have oversight processes, only a small minority describe them as mature.

Rapid rollouts across marketing, operations and manufacturing have outpaced safeguards designed to manage bias, transparency and accountability, leaving many firms reacting rather than planning ahead.

Privacy rules, data sovereignty questions and vendor data-sharing risks are further complicating deployment decisions. Fragmented data governance and unclear ownership across departments often stall progress.

Experts argue that effective AI governance must operate as an ongoing, cross-functional model embedded into product lifecycles. Defined accountability, routine audits and clear escalation paths are increasingly viewed as essential for building trust and reducing long-term risk.

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Women driving tech innovation as Web Summit marks 10 years

Web Summit’s Women in Tech programme marked a decade of work in Qatar by highlighting steady progress in female participation across global technology sectors.

The Web Summit event recorded an increase in women-founded startups and reflected rising engagement in Qatar, where female founders reached 38 percent.

Leaders from the initiative noted how supportive networks, mentorship, and access to role models are reshaping opportunities for women in technology and entrepreneurship.

Speakers from IBM and other companies focused on the importance of AI skills in shaping the future workforce. They argued that adequate preparation depends on understanding how AI shapes everyday roles, rather than relying solely on technical tools.

IBM’s SkillsBuild platform continues to partner with universities, schools, and nonprofit groups to expand access to recognised AI credentials that can support higher earning potential and new career pathways.

Another feature of the event was its emphasis on inclusion as a driver of innovation. The African Women in Technology initiative, led by Anie Akpe, is working to offer free training in cybersecurity and AI so women in emerging markets can benefit from new digital opportunities.

These efforts aim to support business growth at every level, even for women operating in local markets, who can use technology to reach wider communities.

Female founders also used the platform to showcase new health technology solutions.

ScreenMe, a Qatari company founded by Dr Golnoush Golsharazi, presented its reproductive microbiome testing service, created in response to long-standing gaps in women’s health research and screening.

Organisers expressed confidence that women-led innovation will expand across the region, supported by rising investment and continuing visibility at major global events.

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South Korea confirms scale of Coupang data breach

The South Korean government has confirmed that 33.67 million user accounts were exposed in a major data breach at Coupang in South Korea. The findings were released by the Ministry of Science and ICT in Seoul.

Investigators in South Korea said names and email addresses were leaked, while delivery lists containing addresses and phone numbers were accessed 148 million times. Officials warned that the impact in South Korea could extend beyond the headline account figure.

Authorities in South Korea identified a former employee as the attacker, alleging misuse of authentication signing keys. The probe concluded that weaknesses in internal controls at Coupang enabled the breach in South Korea.

The ministry in South Korea criticised delayed reporting and plans to impose a fine on Coupang. The company disputed aspects of the findings but said 33.7 million accounts were involved in South Korea.

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