Cybersecurity

Starlink gains ground in South Korea’s telecom market

South Korea has gained nationwide satellite coverage as Starlink enters the market and expands the country’s already advanced connectivity landscape.

The service offers high-speed access through a dense LEO network and arrives with subscription options for households, mobile users and businesses.

Analysts see meaningful benefits for regions that are difficult to serve through fixed networks, particularly in mountainous areas and offshore locations.

Enterprise interest has grown quickly. Maritime operators moved first, with SK Telink and KT SAT securing contracts as Starlink went live. Large fleets will now adopt satellite links for navigation support, remote management and stronger emergency communication.

The technology has also reached the aviation sector as carriers under Hanjin Group plan to install Starlink across all aircraft, aiming to introduce stable in-flight Wi-Fi from 2026.

Although South Korea’s fibre and 5G networks offer far higher peak speeds, Starlink provides reliability where terrestrial networks cannot operate. Industry observers expect limited uptake from mainstream households but anticipate significant momentum in maritime transport, aviation, construction and energy.

An expansion in South Korea that marks one of Starlink’s most strategic Asia-Pacific moves, driven by industrial demand and early partnerships.

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EU gains stronger ad oversight after TikTok agreement

Regulators in the EU have accepted binding commitments from TikTok aimed at improving advertising transparency under the Digital Services Act.

An agreement that follows months of scrutiny and addresses concerns raised in the Commission’s preliminary findings earlier in the year.

TikTok will now provide complete versions of advertisements exactly as they appear in user feeds, along with associated URLs, targeting criteria and aggregated demographic data.

Researchers will gain clearer insight into how advertisers reach users, rather than relying on partial or delayed information. The platform has also agreed to refresh its advertising repository within 24 hours.

Further improvements include new search functions and filters that make it easier for the public, civil society and regulators to examine advertising content.

These changes are intended to support efforts to detect scams, identify harmful products and analyse coordinated influence operations, especially around elections.

TikTok must implement its commitments to the EU within deadlines ranging from two to twelve months, depending on each measure.

The Commission will closely monitor compliance while continuing broader investigations into algorithmic design, protection of minors, data access and risks connected to elections and civic discourse.

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EU ministers call for faster action on digital goals

European ministers have adopted conclusions aimed to boosting the Union’s digital competitiveness, urging quicker progress toward the 2030 digital decade goals.

Officials called for stronger digital skills, wider adoption of technology, and a framework that supports innovation while protecting fundamental rights. Digital sovereignty remains a central objective, framed as open, risk-based and aligned with European values.

Ministers supported simplifying digital rules for businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, which face complex administrative demands. A predictable legal environment, less reporting duplication and more explicit rules were seen as essential for competitiveness.

Governments emphasised that simplification must not weaken data protection or other core safeguards.

Concerns over online safety and illegal content were a prominent feature in discussions on enforcing the Digital Services Act. Ministers highlighted the presence of harmful content and unsafe products on major marketplaces, calling for stronger coordination and consistent enforcement across member states.

Ensuring full compliance with EU consumer protection and product safety rules was described as a priority.

Cyber-resilience was a key focus as ministers discussed the increasing impact of cyberattacks on citizens and the economy. Calls for stronger defences grew as digital transformation accelerated, with several states sharing updates on national and cross-border initiatives.

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Australia introduces new codes to protect children online

Australian regulators have released new guidance ahead of the introduction of industry codes designed to protect children from exposure to harmful online material.

The Age Restricted Material Codes will apply to a wide range of online services, including app stores, social platforms, equipment providers, pornography sites and generative AI services, with the first tranche beginning on 27 December.

The rules require search engines to blur image results involving pornography or extreme violence to reduce accidental exposure among young users.

Search services must also redirect people seeking information related to suicide, self-harm or eating disorders to professional mental health support instead of allowing harmful spirals to unfold.

eSafety argues that many children unintentionally encounter disturbing material at very young ages, often through search results that act as gateways rather than deliberate choices.

The guidance emphasises that adults will still be able to access unblurred material by clicking through, and there is no requirement for Australians to log in or identify themselves before searching.

eSafety maintains that the priority lies in shielding children from images and videos they cannot cognitively process or forget once they have seen them.

These codes will operate alongside existing standards that tackle unlawful content and will complement new minimum age requirements for social media, which are set to begin in mid-December.

Authorities in Australia consider the reforms essential for reducing preventable harm and guiding vulnerable users towards appropriate support services.

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EU targets X for breaking the Digital Services Act

European regulators have imposed a fine of one hundred and twenty million euros on X after ruling that the platform breached transparency rules under the Digital Services Act.

The Commission concluded that the company misled users with its blue checkmark system, restricted research access and operated an inadequate advertising repository.

Officials found that paid verification on X encouraged users to believe their accounts had been authenticated when, in fact, no meaningful checks were conducted.

EU regulators argued that such practices increased exposure to scams and impersonation fraud, rather than supporting trust in online communication.

The Commission also stated that the platform’s advertising repository lacked essential information and created barriers that prevented researchers and civil society from examining potential threats.

European authorities judged that X failed to offer legitimate access to public data for eligible researchers. Terms of service blocked independent data collection, including scraping, while the company’s internal processes created further obstacles.

Regulators believe such restrictions frustrate efforts to study misinformation, influence campaigns and other systemic risks within the EU.

X must now outline the steps it will take to end the blue checkmark infringement within sixty working days and deliver a wider action plan on data access and advertising transparency within ninety days.

Failure to comply could lead to further penalties as the Commission continues its broader investigation into information manipulation and illegal content across the platform.

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AI fuels a new wave of cyber threats in Greece

Greece is confronting a rapid rise in cybercrime as AI strengthens the tools available to criminals, according to the head of the National Cyber Security Authority.

Michael Bletsas warned that Europe is already experiencing hybrid conflict, with Northeastern states facing severe incidents that reveal a digital frontline. Greece has not endured physical sabotage or damage to its infrastructure, yet cyberattacks remain a pressing concern.

Bletsas noted that most activity involves cybercrime instead of destructive action. He pointed to the expansion of cyberactivism and vandalism through denial-of-service attacks, which usually cause no lasting harm.

The broader problem stems from a surge in AI-driven intrusions and espionage, which offer new capabilities to malicious groups and create a more volatile environment.

Moreover, Bletsas said that the physical and digital worlds should be viewed as a single, interconnected sphere, with security designed around shared principles rather than being treated as separate domains.

Digital warfare is already unfolding, and Greece is part of it. The country must now define its alliances and strengthen its readiness as cyber threats intensify and the global divide grows deeper.

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Taiwan blocks Chinese app RedNote after surge in online scams

Authorities in Taiwan will block the Chinese social media and shopping app RedNote for a year following a surge in online scams linked to the platform. Officials report that more than 1,700 fraud cases have been linked to the app since last year, resulting in losses exceeding NT$247 million.

Regulators report that the company failed to meet required data-security standards and did not respond to requests for a plan to strengthen cybersecurity.

Internet providers have been instructed to restrict access, affecting several million users who now see a security warning message when opening the app.

Concerns over Beijing’s online influence and the spread of disinformation have added pressure on Taiwanese authorities to tighten oversight of Chinese platforms.

RedNote’s operators are also facing scrutiny in mainland China, where regulators have criticised the company over what they labelled ‘negative’ content.

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AMVER Awards honour UK maritime companies for search-and-rescue commitment

At an event hosted on 2 December by VIKAND in partnership with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), 30 UK maritime companies were awarded for their continued commitment to safety at sea through the AMVER system.

In total, 255 vessels under their operation represent 1,587 collective years of eligibility in AMVER. However, this reflects decades of voluntary participation in a global ship-reporting network that helps coordinate rescue operations far from shore using real-time vessel-position data.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasised that AMVER remains essential for ‘mariners helping mariners’, enabling merchant vessels to respond swiftly to distress calls anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality.

Representatives from maritime insurers, navigational-services firms and classification societies underscored the continuing importance of collaboration, readiness and mutual support across the global shipping industry.

This recognition illustrates how safety and solidarity at sea continue to matter deeply in an industry facing mounting pressures, from regulatory change to environmental and geopolitical risks. The awards reaffirm the UK fleet’s active role in keeping maritime trade not only productive, but also ready to save lives.

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Europe builds a laser ground station in Greenland to protect satellite links

Europe is building a laser-based ground station in Greenland to secure satellite links as Russian jamming intensifies. ESA and Denmark chose Kangerlussuaq for its clear skies and direct access to polar-orbit traffic.

The optical system uses Astrolight’s technology to transmit data markedly faster than radio signals. Narrow laser beams resist interference, allowing vast imaging sets to reach analysts with far fewer disruptions.

Developers expect terabytes to be downloaded in under a minute, reducing reliance on vulnerable Arctic radio sites. European officials say the upgrade strengthens autonomy as undersea cables and navigation systems face repeated targeting from countries such as Russia.

The Danish station will support defence monitoring, climate science and search-and-rescue operations across high latitudes. Work is underway, with completion planned for 2026 and ambitions for a wider global laser network.

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NSA warns AI poses new risks for operational technology

The US National Security Agency (NSA), together with international partners including Australia’s ACSC, has issued guidance on the secure integration of AI into operational technology (OT).

The Principles for the Secure Integration of AI in OT warn that while AI can optimise critical infrastructure, it also introduces new risks for safety-critical environments. Although aimed at OT administrators, the guidance also highlights issues relevant to IT networks.

AI is increasingly deployed in sectors such as energy, water treatment, healthcare, and manufacturing to automate processes and enhance efficiency.

The NSA’s guidance, however, flags several potential threats, including adversarial prompt injection, data poisoning, AI drift, and reduced explainability, all of which can compromise safety and compliance.

Over-reliance on AI may also lead to human de-skilling, cognitive overload, and distraction, while AI hallucinations raise concerns about reliability in safety-critical settings.

Experts emphasise that AI cannot currently be trusted to make independent safety decisions in OT networks, where the margin for error is far smaller than in standard IT systems.

Sam Maesschalck, an OT engineer, noted that introducing AI without first addressing pre-existing infrastructure issues, such as insufficient data feeds or incomplete asset inventories, could undermine both security and operational efficiency.

The guidance aims to help organisations evaluate AI risks, clarify accountability, and prepare for potential misbehaviour, underlining the importance of careful planning before deploying AI in operationally critical environments.

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