The European Union’s ‘Chat Control’ proposal is gaining traction, with 19 member states now supporting a plan to scan all private messages on encrypted apps. From October, apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram must scan all messages, photos, and videos on users’ devices before encryption.
France, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain back the measure, while Germany has yet to decide. The proposal could pass by mid-October under the EU’s qualified majority voting system if Germany joins.
The initiative aims to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) but has sparked concerns over mass surveillance and the erosion of digital privacy.
In addition to scanning, the proposal would introduce mandatory age verification, which could remove anonymity on messaging platforms. Critics argue the plan amounts to real-time surveillance of private conversations and threatens fundamental freedoms.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently warned of societal collapse in France due to censorship and regulatory pressure. He disclosed attempts by French officials to censor political content on his platform, which he refused to comply with.
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Thanks to a new feature that shows verified brand logos, Gmail users will now find it easier to spot phishing emails. The update uses BIMI, a standard that allows trusted companies to display official logos next to their messages.
To qualify, brands must secure their domain with DMARC and have their logos verified by authorities such as Entrust or DigiCert. Once approved, they receive a Verified Mark Certificate, linking their logo to their domain.
The feature helps users quickly distinguish between genuine emails and fraudulent ones. Early adopters include Bank of America in the US, whose logo now appears directly in inboxes.
Google’s move is expected to drive broader adoption, with services like MailChimp and Verizon Media already supporting the system. The change could significantly reduce phishing risks for Gmail’s vast user base.
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The crackdown follows the discovery that organised criminal groups are operating scam centres across Southeast Asia, hacking WhatsApp accounts or adding users to group chats to lure victims into fake investment schemes and other types of fraud.
In one case, WhatsApp, Meta, and OpenAI collaborated to disrupt a Cambodian cybercrime group that used ChatGPT to generate fake instructions for a rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme.
Victims were enticed with offers of cash for social media engagement before being moved to private chats and pressured to make upfront payments via cryptocurrency platforms.
Meta warned that these scams often stem from well-organised networks in Southeast Asia, some exploiting forced labour. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, enable features such as WhatsApp’s two-step verification, and be wary of suspicious or unsolicited messages.
It should be mentioned that these scams have also drawn political attention in the USA. Namely, US Senator Maggie Hassan has urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to act against transnational criminal groups in Southeast Asia that use Starlink satellite internet to run massive online fraud schemes targeting Americans.
Despite SpaceX’s policies allowing service termination for fraud, Starlink remains active in regions where these scams, often linked to forced labour and human trafficking, operate.
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A new commission will begin work next month to explore creating a standalone Cyber Force as a military service. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies leads the effort in collaboration with the Cyber Solarium Commission 2.0.
The study responds to ongoing weaknesses in how the US military organises, trains and equips personnel for cyber operations. These shortcomings have prompted calls for a dedicated force with a focused mission.
The Cyber Force would aim to improve readiness and capability in the digital domain, mirroring the structure of other service branches. Cyber operations are seen as increasingly central to national security.
Details of the commission’s work will emerge in the coming months as discussions shape what such a force might look like.
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The Venice Film Festival has confirmed that a cyberattack compromised the personal data of accredited attendees, including journalists and industry members. The breach affected names, contact details, and tax information.
The cybersecurity attackers accessed the festival’s servers on 7 July and copied and stored documents. Festival organisers responded by isolating systems and informing authorities.
Those affected received a formal notification and are encouraged to contact the event’s data protection officer for support or updates.
Despite the breach, the 82nd edition of the festival will proceed as scheduled from 27 August to 9 September in Italy.
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Millions of Dell laptops faced a serious security risk due to a flaw in a Broadcom chip used for storing sensitive data. Cisco Talos researchers uncovered the vulnerability, which could have allowed attackers to steal passwords and monitor activity.
Dell confirmed over 100 laptop models were impacted, especially those with its ‘ControlVault’ security software used in sensitive industries. A fix has been issued through security patches since March.
No evidence suggests the flaw was exploited, but experts warn users to install updates promptly to avoid exposure. The issue highlights the risks of storing biometrics and credentials directly on devices.
Users are advised to keep security patches current and use reliable antivirus software to help reduce threats from similar vulnerabilities in future.
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Researchers have discovered a critical security flaw in Microsoft’s new NLWeb protocol, designed to bring ChatGPT-style search to websites and apps. The vulnerability, a simple path traversal bug, allowed remote access to sensitive files, including system configurations and API keys.
Although Microsoft has patched it, the incident raises concerns about security oversight, particularly as NLWeb is being adopted by major partners such as Shopify, Snowflake, and TripAdvisor.
According to The Verge, security researchers Aonan Guan and Lei Wang identified the flaw shortly after NLWeb’s launch, warning that traditional vulnerabilities now have the potential to compromise the ‘brains’ of AI systems themselves.
Microsoft issued a fix on 1 July, but has yet to assign the flaw a CVE, the industry standard for tracking security vulnerabilities, despite pressure from the researchers. Assigning a CVE would raise awareness and allow better monitoring of the issue, even though NLWeb is not yet widely used.
Microsoft is also continuing to roll out native support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) in Windows, despite recent warnings from security researchers about its potential risks.
The NLWeb vulnerability highlights the need for Microsoft to balance the rapid rollout of new AI carefully features with maintaining security as its top priority.
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Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the US with illegally exporting millions of dollars’ worth of advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, violating the export controls.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang operated California-based ALX Solutions, which allegedly shipped restricted hardware without the required licences over the past three years.
The DOJ claims that the company exported Nvidia’s H100 and GeForce RTX 4090 graphics processing units to China via transit hubs in Singapore and Malaysia, concealing their ultimate destination.
Payments for the shipments allegedly came from firms in Hong Kong and mainland China, including a $1 million transfer in January 2024.
Court documents state that ALX falsely declared shipments to Singapore-based customers, but US export control officers could not confirm the deliveries.
One 2023 invoice for over $28 million reportedly misrepresented the buyer’s identity. Neither Geng nor Yang had sought export licences from the US Commerce Department.
Yang was arrested on Saturday, and Geng surrendered soon after. Both appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Nvidia and Super Micro, a supplier, said they comply with all export regulations and will cooperate with authorities.
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LG CNS has secured a 100 billion won ($72 million) contract to build an AI data centre in Jakarta, a first for a Korean firm in a project of this kind overseas. The centre is expected to be completed by 2026 and will house over 100,000 servers.
The deal was signed through LG Sinar Mas Technology Solutions, a joint venture between Sinar Mas Group of Indonesia and LG of South Korea. Local partner KMG, backed by Korea Investment Real Asset Management, is leading the project to create Indonesia’s largest hyperscale AI data centre.
The 11-storey facility will launch with a power capacity of 30 megawatts, with plans to expand to 220 megawatts in future phases. LG CNS will manage key infrastructure, including electricity, cooling, and telecoms systems, using technologies across the LG Group.
Safety has been a key selling point. The centre will utilise seismic isolation systems to safeguard equipment in earthquake-prone Southeast Asia. Redundant power systems will also ensure continuous operation even during outages.
Southeast Asia is emerging as a cost-effective hub for AI among global technology giants. LG CNS plans to leverage the Jakarta project as a launchpad for expanding into Singapore, Malaysia, and other international markets.
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UK Health Minister Karin Smyth praised St George’s Surgery in Weston-super-Mare for utilising AI to enhance efficiency. Serving nearly 14,000 patients, the surgery uses AI to automate note-taking and letter drafting, reducing administrative burdens on staff.
It has been reported that, in June of 2025, St George’s Surgery handled over 9,000 appointments, with more than half booked and held on the same day. As part of the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan, the government stated it aims to expand AI adoption in healthcare, potentially freeing up the capacity of over 2,000 full-time GPs.
Andy Carpenter, Digital Director at Mendip Vale Medical Group, highlighted that AI is helping to manage growing patient demand, increase face-to-face time with GPs, and maintain strong data protection standards. Health Minister Karin Smyth also stressed the need for safe, well-regulated AI in healthcare, noting its practical uses, such as remote monitoring of vaccine fridge temperatures.
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