Critical infrastructure

Microsoft allegedly blocked the email of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

Microsoft has come under scrutiny after the Associated Press reported that the company blocked the email account of Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in compliance with US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. 

While this ban is widely reported, Microsoft, according to DataNews, strongly denied this action, arguing that ICC moved Khan’s email to the Proton service. So far, there has been no response from the ICC. 

Legal and sovereignty implications

The incident highlights tensions between US sanctions regimes and global digital governance. Section 2713 of the 2018 CLOUD Act requires US-based tech firms to provide data under their ‘possession, custody, or control,’ even if stored abroad or legally covered by a foreign jurisdiction – a provision critics argue undermines foreign data sovereignty.

That clash resurfaces as Microsoft campaigns to be a trusted partner for developing the EU digital and AI infrastructure, pledging alignment with European regulations as outlined in the company’s EU strategy.

Broader impact on AI and digital governance

The controversy emerges amid a global race among US tech giants to secure data for AI development. Initiatives like OpenAI’s for Countries programmes, which offer tailored AI services in exchange for data access, now face heightened scrutiny. European governments and international bodies are increasingly wary of entrusting critical digital infrastructure to firms bound by US laws, fearing legal overreach could compromise sovereignty.

Why does it matter?

The ‘Khan email’ controversy makes the question of digital vulnerabilities more tangible. It also brings into focus the question of data and digital sovereignty and the risks of exposure to foreign cloud and tech providers.

DataNews reports that the fallout may accelerate Europe’s push for sovereign cloud solutions and stricter oversight of foreign tech collaborations.

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FCC to enhance security on foreign communications equipment

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new policies aimed at strengthening the security of the United States’ communications infrastructure against foreign threats. These policies expand the FCC’s authority to prohibit the authorisation of communications equipment from companies identified as national security risks, including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.

Additionally, the FCC now has the power to revoke previously granted equipment authorisations if a company is later added to the ‘covered list.’ The scope of these regulations has also broadened to cover not only core network infrastructure but also a wide range of devices such as routers, switches, and consumer electronics, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and protecting against foreign interference.

US telecom companies must comply by replacing equipment from covered vendors, which may involve significant costs. While this transition poses challenges, the FCC stresses minimal short-term impact on consumers and highlights the long-term security benefits.

The agency also has enforcement powers, including fines, to ensure compliance. Going forward, the FCC will keep monitoring threats and update its policies as needed.

It will also work with government and international partners to strengthen cybersecurity efforts, showing its commitment to protecting critical communications infrastructure.

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Chad aims to strengthen digital independence through regional connectivity reforms

Chadian authorities have unveiled a set of strategic policies aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and reducing its dependence on Cameroon for international internet connectivity. Central to these reforms is the establishment of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in major cities to enhance local traffic handling and reduce latency.

Additionally, the government plans to create redundant international links with neighbouring countries such as Libya, Algeria, and Nigeria. These policies are designed to diversify connectivity routes, bolster digital resilience, and support Chad’s long-term goal of achieving greater digital sovereignty.

These initiatives come in response to persistent vulnerabilities in the country’s current connectivity framework. Chad, being landlocked, lacks direct access to submarine cables and relies heavily on a single route through Cameroon.

The dependence has led to frequent service disruptions, including a major 24-hour outage in October and a recent suspension of connectivity due to unpaid dues. The country also faces challenges such as uneven fibre optic coverage, high access costs, and limited interconnection between networks, all of which have negatively impacted the quality and reliability of internet services.

By pursuing these reforms, Chadian authorities aim not only to stabilise and modernise the national digital infrastructure but also to integrate more effectively into regional projects like the Trans-Saharan Optical Fibre Backbone, which includes Algeria and Nigeria.

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Nigeria to strengthen telecom infrastructure protection

The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to address the persistent problem of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure by declaring telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). That designation aims to provide stronger legal protection and prioritise the security of telecom assets, which are vital to the country’s information and communication networks.

Building on this policy framework, IHS Nigeria has formed a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to operationalise these protections and enhance the security of telecom infrastructure nationwide. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organisations will collaborate to develop and implement strategies designed to safeguard IHS Nigeria’s extensive assets, including over 16,000 telecom towers and more than 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables.

Under the partnership, the NSCDC will provide support in areas such as site surveillance, emergency response, incident reporting, and assistance with tower decommissioning. The agency will also take on responsibilities to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals involved in vandalism or theft of telecom infrastructure.

The collaboration is expected to create a safer environment for telecom operations, ultimately improving the resilience, reliability, and quality of connectivity services across Nigeria. Despite these efforts, vandalism remains a major challenge.

Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria report 40 to 43 daily fibre cuts, many caused by theft and sabotage. The IHS Nigeria–NSCDC partnership is a crucial step to reduce these disruptions and protect critical telecom infrastructure.

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Ransomware gang leaks French government emails

A ransomware gang has published what it claims is sensitive data from multiple French organisations on a dark web forum.

The Stormous cartel, active since 2022, posted the dataset as a ‘comprehensive leak’ allegedly involving high-profile French government bodies.

However, researchers from Cybernews examined the information and found the data’s quality questionable, with outdated MD5 password hashes indicating it could be from older breaches.

Despite its age, the dataset could still be dangerous if reused credentials are involved. Threat actors may exploit the leaked emails for phishing campaigns by impersonating government agencies to extract more sensitive details.

Cybernews noted that even weak password hashes can eventually be cracked, especially when stronger security measures weren’t in place at the time of collection.

Among the affected organisations are Agence Française de Développement, the Paris Region’s Regional Health Agency, and the Court of Audit.

The number of exposed email addresses varies, with some institutions having only a handful leaked while others face hundreds. The French cybersecurity agency ANSSI has yet to comment.

Last year, France faced another massive exposure incident affecting 95 million citizen records, adding to concerns about ongoing cyber vulnerabilities.

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OpenAI to operate new AI cluster in Abu Dhabi’s Stargate UAE project

In a major development for AI and global cooperation, G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and Cisco have announced a partnership to launch Stargate UAE.

The 1-gigawatt AI compute cluster will be part of a larger 5-gigawatt UAE–US AI Campus located in Abu Dhabi, aimed at supporting large-scale AI workloads and fostering innovation across sectors.

Stargate UAE will be constructed by G42 and operated jointly by OpenAI and Oracle, with Cisco providing cybersecurity and connectivity, and NVIDIA supplying its latest Grace Blackwell GB300 systems.

The project is scheduled to bring its first 200-megawatt cluster online by 2026. The facility will provide regional low-latency inferencing and high-performance AI compute infrastructure.

The broader UAE–US AI Campus will span 10 square miles and be powered by a combination of nuclear, solar, and natural gas energy. The campus will also include a science park to support research and workforce development.

Announced in the presence of leaders from both nations, the initiative aligns with the new US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership framework, which aims to foster responsible and secure AI advancement.

The initiative also includes reciprocal investment in the US through projects like Stargate US, supporting the America First Investment Policy. Stargate UAE represents the first overseas expansion of the OpenAI for Countries initiative and demonstrates an effort to decentralize AI innovation globally.

This project highlights the growing role of international cooperation in shaping AI infrastructure and reflects the UAE’s ambition to lead in technological advancement through partnerships and long-term investment.

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Nvidia ramps up AI push with new Taiwan plans

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has urged Taiwan to embrace agentic AI and robotics to tackle its ongoing labour shortage.

Speaking before his departure from Taipei after a week-long visit, Huang said 2025 would be a ‘very exciting’ year for AI, as the technology now possesses the ability to ‘reason’ and carry out step-by-step problem-solving never encountered before.

The new wave of agentic AI, he explained, could assist people with various workplace and everyday tasks.

Huang added that Taiwan, despite being a hub of innovation, faces a lack of manpower. ‘Now with AI and robots, Taiwan can expand its opportunity,’ he said.

He also expressed enthusiasm over the production ramp-up of Blackwell, Nvidia’s latest GPU architecture built for AI workloads, noting that partners across Taiwan are already in full swing.

Huang’s trip included meetings with local partners and a keynote at Computex Taipei, where he unveiled Nvidia’s new Taiwan office and plans for the country’s first large-scale AI supercomputer.

In a TV interview, Huang urged the Taiwanese government to invest more in energy infrastructure to support the growing AI sector. He warned that the energy demands of AI development could exceed 100 megawatts in the near future, stressing that energy availability is the key limitation.

Taiwan’s expanding AI ecosystem — from chip plants to educational institutions — would require substantial support to thrive, he said, pledging to return for Chinese New Year.

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Uganda to launch ‘Tokigeza’ campaign against Telecom vandalism

The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC), together with major telecom operators including MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, and ATC Uganda, has launched a national anti-vandalism campaign named ‘Tokigeza’ (meaning ‘Do not do it’) to combat the rising problem of telecom infrastructure vandalism. The three-month initiative aims to raise public awareness and mobilise communities to protect vital telecom assets.

The campaign employs a multi-channel approach involving radio, television, and digital media outreach, as well as grassroots engagement through schools, local meetings, landowners, law enforcement, and boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers. Alongside the campaign, stakeholders call for stronger laws and better enforcement to combat vandalism.

Proposed measures include tougher penalties, tighter scrap metal trade controls, and linking telecom surveillance with national police monitoring. A cross-agency task force is also proposed.

The government supports these moves, with Ugandan President backing the classification of telecom towers as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and pushing for harsher penalties by treating vandalism as economic sabotage. The Ministry of ICT stresses the need for public-private cooperation to protect ICT infrastructure as Uganda’s digital network grows.

Despite these efforts, no formal timeline exists for legal reforms, and there are doubts about whether CNI status alone will stop vandalism. Nigeria’s experience shows that even with such classification, sabotage, especially of fibre optic cables, continues. Uganda will need sustained and coordinated action to protect its telecom infrastructure effectively.

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Meta and PayPal users targeted in new phishing scam

Cybersecurity experts are warning of a rapid and highly advanced phishing campaign that targets Meta and PayPal users with instant account takeovers. The attack exploits Google’s AppSheet platform to send emails from a legitimate domain, bypassing standard security checks.

Victims are tricked into entering login details and two-factor authentication codes, which are then harvested in real time. Emails used in the campaign pose as urgent security alerts from Meta or PayPal, urging recipients to click a fake appeal link.

A double-prompt technique falsely claims an initial login attempt failed, increasing the likelihood of accurate information being submitted. KnowBe4 reports that 98% of detected threats impersonated Meta, with the remaining targeting PayPal.

Google confirmed it has taken steps to reduce the campaign’s impact by improving AppSheet security and deploying advanced Gmail protections. The company advised users to stay alert and consult their guide to spotting scams. Meta and PayPal have not yet commented on the situation.

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Dutch central bank tells public to prepare for outages

Dutch citizens have been advised to keep emergency cash at home due to growing concerns over cyber threats and geopolitical instability.

The Netherlands’ central bank (DNB) recommends holding €70 per adult and €30 per child to cover essential needs for up to three days.

This guidance follows recent disruptions to payment systems in southern Europe. The advisory comes in response to fears that cyberattacks or power failures could make digital payments temporarily unavailable.

Cash would enable people to buy food, water, medicine, or transport even during system outages. The DNB also encouraged the use of contactless payments via phones or smartwatches as backups. Such steps are seen as vital amid increasing risks across the continent.

The warning follows a major blackout that affected Spain and Portugal in April, during which electronic transactions were disrupted. The European Commission has similarly urged households to be prepared for at least 72 hours with cash and basic supplies.

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