Cybersecurity

Vodafone and Samsung expand Open RAN deployment across Europe

Samsung Electronics has been chosen by Vodafone as a primary partner to deploy virtualised RAN and Open RAN networks in Germany and several European countries. The agreement builds on previous collaborations and represents one of the largest Open RAN projects in Europe.

Germany will serve as the first and main market, with thousands of sites planned, including a full deployment in Wismar by early 2026. The rollout will expand across Europe over five years, beginning with a live site already operating in Hannover.

Samsung will provide its virtualised RAN solutions supporting 2G, 4G and 5G, as well as O-RAN compliant radios, Massive MIMO equipment and AI-powered management tools. The company will also integrate its CognitiV Network Operations Suite to improve performance, efficiency and automation.

Partners such as Dell Technologies, Intel and Wind River will contribute hardware and cloud platforms to ensure interoperability and large-scale integration.

Vodafone’s Chief Network Officer Alberto Ripepi said Open RAN is essential for building flexible, future-ready networks and expanding connectivity across Europe.

Samsung’s Networks Business President Woojune Kim highlighted the project as a major step in developing software-based and autonomous networks designed for the AI era. Both companies view the partnership as a means to advance digital transformation and enhance network efficiency.

The collaboration also promotes energy efficiency and shared infrastructure. Samsung’s AI Energy Saving Manager will monitor traffic to reduce power consumption during low-use periods. The company’s radio systems will support RAN sharing, helping operators cut costs and deliver consistent coverage.

Analysts consider Vodafone’s decision a validation of Samsung’s leadership in open and virtualised network technology.

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Ethernet wins in raw security, but Wi-Fi can compete with the right setup

The way you connect to the internet matters, not just the speed, but also your privacy and security. That’s the main takeaway from a recent Fox News report comparing Ethernet and Wi-Fi security.

At its core, Ethernet is inherently more secure in many scenarios because it requires physical access. Data travels along a cable directly to your router, reducing risks of eavesdropping or intercepting signals mid-air.

Wi-Fi, by contrast, sends data through the air. That makes it more vulnerable, especially if a network uses weak passwords or outdated encryption standards. Attackers within signal range might exploit poorly secured networks.

But Ethernet isn’t a guaranteed fortress. The Fox article emphasises that security depends largely on your entire setup. A Wi-Fi network with strong encryption (ideally WPA3), robust passwords, regular firmware updates, and a well-configured router can approach the network security level of wired connections.

Each device you connect, smartphones, smart home gadgets, IoT sensors, increases your network’s exposure. Wi-Fi amplifies that risk since more devices can join wirelessly. Ethernet limits the number of direct connection points, which reduces the attack surface.

In short, Ethernet gives you a baseline security advantage, but a well-secured Wi-Fi network can be quite robust. The critical factor is how carefully you manage your network settings and devices.

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Microsoft ends support for Windows 10

Windows 10 support ends on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, and routine security patches and fixes will no longer be provided. Devices will face increased cyber risk without updates. Microsoft urges upgrades to Windows 11 where possible.

Windows powers more than 1.4 billion devices, with Windows 10 still widely used. UK consumer group Which? estimates 21 million local users. Some plan to continue regardless, citing cost, waste, and working hardware.

Upgrade to Windows 11 is free for eligible PCs via the Settings app. Others can enrol in Extended Security Updates, which deliver security fixes only until October 2026. ESU offers no technical support or feature updates.

Personal users in the European Economic Area can register for ESU at no charge. Elsewhere, eligibility may unlock ESU for free, or it costs $30 or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Businesses pay $61 per device for year one.

Unsupported systems become easier targets for malware and scams, and some software may degrade over time. Organisations risk compliance issues running out-of-support platforms. Privacy-minded users may also dislike Windows 11’s tighter Microsoft account requirements.

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Austrian DPA finds Microsoft 365 Education violates GDPR

Microsoft has been found in violation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) over how its Microsoft 365 Education platform handles student data.

The Austrian Data Protection Authority (DSB) issued the ruling after a student, represented by privacy group noyb, was denied full access to their personal data. The complaint exposed a three-way responsibility gap between Microsoft, schools, and national education authorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools adopted cloud-based tools like Microsoft 365 Education. However, Microsoft shifted responsibility for GDPR compliance onto schools and ministries, which often lack access to, or control over, student data processed by Microsoft.

In this case, Microsoft redirected the student’s data request to their school, which was unable to provide complete information.

The DSB found Microsoft guilty of multiple GDPR breaches. These included the illegal use of tracking cookies without consent and failing to provide the student full access to their data, violating Article 15.

Microsoft was also ordered to clarify how it uses data for purposes like ‘business modelling’ and whether it shares data with third parties like LinkedIn, OpenAI, or adtech firm Xandr.

Microsoft’s claim that its EU entity in Ireland was responsible for the product was rejected. The DSB ruled that key decisions were made in the USA, making Microsoft Corp the main data controller.

The decision has broad implications, with millions of students and public-sector users relying on Microsoft 365. As Max Schrems of noyb warned, schools and other European institutions will remain unable to meet their legal obligations under the GDPR unless Microsoft makes structural changes.

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Imperial College unveils plans for new AI campus in west London

Imperial College London has launched a public consultation on plans for a new twelve-storey academic building in White City dedicated to AI and data science.

A proposed development that will bring together computer scientists, mathematicians, and business specialists to advance AI research and innovation.

A building that will include laboratories, research facilities, and public areas such as cafés and exhibition spaces. It forms part of Imperial’s wider White City masterplan, which also includes housing, a hotel, and additional research infrastructure.

The university aims to create what it describes as a hub for collaboration between academia and industry.

Outline planning permission for the site was granted by Hammersmith and Fulham Council in 2019. The consultation is open until 26 October, after which a formal planning application is expected later this year. If approved, construction could begin in mid-2026, with completion scheduled for 2029.

Imperial College, established in 1907 and known for its focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business, sees the new campus as a step towards strengthening the position of the UK in AI research and technology development.

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Amazon expands Project Kuiper with new satellite launches

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is moving ahead with its global satellite internet network, adding another 24 satellites to orbit as part of its ongoing deployment plan.

The latest mission, known as KF-03, is scheduled for today, launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The KF-03 launch will bring the total number of Kuiper satellites to 153, furthering the plan of Amazon to build a low Earth orbit constellation of more than 3,200 spacecraft.

Once deployed at an altitude of 289 miles, the satellites will undergo health checks before being raised to their operational orbit of 392 miles. The mission marks Amazon’s third collaboration with SpaceX as part of over 80 launches planned for the project.

Earlier missions in 2025 included deployments using both SpaceX Falcon 9 and ULA Atlas V rockets. The first launch in April carried 27 satellites, followed by additional missions in June, July, August and September.

Each operation has strengthened the foundation of Kuiper’s network, which aims to provide reliable internet connectivity to customers and communities worldwide.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper represents a major investment in global connectivity infrastructure, with its Kennedy Space Center facility in Florida supporting multiple launch campaigns simultaneously.

Once complete, the system is expected to compete with other satellite internet networks by expanding digital access across underserved regions.

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Beer deliveries falter after Asahi cyber crisis

A ransomware attack by the Qilin group has crippled Asahi Group Holdings, Japan’s leading brewer, halting production across most of its 30 factories. Over 27GB of stolen Asahi data appeared online, forcing manual order processing with handwritten notes and faxes.

The attack has slashed shipments to 10-20% of normal capacity, disrupting supplies of its popular Super Dry beer.

Small businesses, like Tokyo’s Ben Thai restaurant, are left with dwindling stocks, some down to just a few bottles. Retail giants such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson warn of shortages affecting not only beer but also Asahi’s soft drinks and bottled teas.

Liquor store owners, grappling with limited deliveries, fear disruptions could persist for weeks given Asahi’s 40% market dominance.

Experts point to Japan’s outdated legacy systems and low cybersecurity expertise as key vulnerabilities, making firms like Asahi prime targets. Recent attacks on Japan Airlines and Nagoya’s port highlight a growing trend.

The reliance on high trust in Japanese society further emboldens hackers, who often demand ransoms from unprepared organisations.

The government’s Active Cyber Defense Law aims to strengthen protections by enhancing information sharing and empowering proactive counterattacks. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed an ongoing investigation into the Asahi breach.

However, small vendors and customers face ongoing uncertainty, with no clear timeline for full recovery of Japan’s beloved brews.

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Tech giants race to remake social media with AI

Tech firms are racing to integrate AI into social media, reshaping online interaction while raising fresh concerns over privacy, misinformation, and copyright. Platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Meta’s Vibes are at the centre of the push, blending generative AI tools with short-form video features similar to TikTok.

OpenAI’s Sora allows users to create lifelike videos from text prompts, but film studios say copyrighted material is appearing without permission. OpenAI has promised tighter controls and a revenue-sharing model for rights holders, while Meta has introduced invisible watermarks to identify AI content.

Safety concerns are mounting as well. Lawsuits allege that AI chatbots such as Character.AI have contributed to mental health issues among teenagers. OpenAI and Meta have added stronger restrictions for young users, including limits on mature content and tighter communication controls for minors.

Critics question whether users truly want AI-generated content dominating their feeds, describing the influx as overwhelming and confusing. Yet industry analysts say the shift could define the next era of social media, as companies compete to turn AI creativity into engagement and profit.

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Unapproved AI tools boom in UK workplaces

Microsoft research reveals 71% of UK employees use unapproved AI tools at work, with 51% doing so weekly, raising concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity risks. Organisations face heightened risks to data privacy and cybersecurity as sensitive information enters unregulated platforms.

Despite these dangers, awareness remains low, as only 32% express concern over data privacy and 29% over IT system vulnerabilities.

Workers favour Shadow AI for its simplicity, with 41% citing familiarity from personal use and 28% noting the absence of approved alternatives at their firms. Common applications include drafting communications (49%), creating reports or presentations (40%), and handling finance tasks (22%).

Generative AI assistants now permeate the workforce, saving an average of 7.75 hours weekly per user- equivalent to 12.1 billion hours annually across the economy, valued at £208 billion.

Sector leaders in IT, telecoms, sales, media, marketing, architecture, engineering, and finance report the highest adoption rates. Employees plan to redirect saved time towards better work-life balance (37%), skill development (31%), and more fulfilling tasks (28%).

Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK and Ireland, urges businesses to prioritise enterprise-grade tools that blend productivity with robust safeguards.

Optimism about AI has climbed, with 57% of staff feeling excited or confident- up from 34% in January 2025. Familiarity grows too, as confusion over starting points drops from 44% to 36%, and clarity on organisational AI strategies rises from 24% to 43%.

Frontier firms leading in adoption see twice the thriving rates, aligning with global trends where 82% of leaders deem 2025 pivotal for AI.

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Study links higher screen time to weaker learning results in children

A study by researchers from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital has found a correlation between increased screen time before age eight and lower scores in reading and mathematics.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study followed over 3,000 Ontario children from 2008 to 2023, comparing reported screen use with their EQAO standardised test results.

Lead author Dr Catherine Birken said each additional hour of daily screen use was associated with about a 10 per cent lower likelihood of meeting provincial standards in reading and maths.

The research did not distinguish between different types of screen activity and was based on parental reports, meaning it shows association rather than causation.

Experts suggest the findings align with previous research showing that extensive screen exposure can affect focus and reduce time spent on beneficial activities such as face-to-face interaction or outdoor play.

Dr Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa noted that screens may condition children’s attention spans in ways that make sustained learning more difficult.

While some parents, such as Surrey’s Anne Whitmore, impose limits to balance digital exposure and development, Birken stressed that the study was not intended to assign blame.

She said encouraging balanced screen habits should be a shared effort among parents, educators and health professionals, with an emphasis on quality content and co-viewing as recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

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