Vietnam is set to adopt new regulations allowing Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the country, granting it full control over its local subsidiary. This decision follows prolonged negotiations between Vietnam and SpaceX and marks a shift in Vietnam’s policy towards foreign investment in satellite internet services. The move is seen as a diplomatic gesture towards SpaceX, which could help alleviate tensions amid concerns over potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump.
The new rules, set to be approved by Vietnam’s parliament, will allow foreign companies with low-orbit satellite networks to operate under a pilot scheme until 2030. SpaceX’s efforts to enter Vietnam had previously been stalled in late 2023 due to a ban on foreign control, a requirement for Musk’s involvement. The new regulations are part of broader efforts by the Vietnamese government to remove obstacles in technological and scientific activities.
With plans for a $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam, SpaceX has been expanding its supplier network in the country. If Starlink attracts significant local subscribers, it could help reduce the growing trade surplus Vietnam has with the US, which reached a record $123.5 billion last year. As US tariffs continue to threaten Vietnam’s export-driven economy, the government is also seeking ways to balance trade by increasing imports from the US, including agricultural products.
The shift in Vietnam’s stance reflects a desire to play a more flexible role in international trade relations, especially as tensions between the US and its trade partners escalate under Trump’s administration. The outcome of this policy change could have significant implications for both Starlink’s expansion and Vietnam’s relationship with the US.
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A new report from Google states that cybercrime continues to expand, intersecting with state-backed cyber operations. Released ahead of the Munich Security Conference, research from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and Mandiant outlines findings from their investigations in 2024 and trends observed over the past four years.
According to Google, financially motivated and state-backed cyber activities are becoming more interconnected. Cybercriminal ecosystems facilitate the acquisition of malware, vulnerabilities, and operational support, offering lower-cost alternatives to state-developed capabilities.
The report emphasises that while cybercrime and state-backed cyber operations increasingly overlap, responses to these threats require distinct strategies. Cybercrime often involves networks operating across jurisdictions, necessitating international collaboration to address its impact effectively.
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The French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) has released new guidance on securing AI systems, emphasising a risk-based approach to AI deployment. Several international partners, including Canada, Singapore, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, Estonia and others, have co-signed the document.
The publication highlights the growing integration of AI across sectors and the need for organisations to assess and mitigate associated risks, particularly as they adopt large language models (LLMs).
ANSSI outlines key security challenges specific to AI, including vulnerabilities in data integrity, supply chain risks, and the potential for AI systems to be exploited as attack vectors. The report identifies major risks such as:
Compromises in AI hosting and management infrastructure
Supply chain attacks targeting AI components
Interconnections between AI and IT systems increasing attack surfaces
Long-term loss of control over AI-driven processes
Malfunctions affecting AI system reliability
To address these challenges, the document advocates for a structured approach to AI security, recommending that organisations:
Align AI system autonomy with risk assessments and operational criticality
Map AI supply chains and monitor interconnections with IT infrastructure
Implement continuous monitoring and maintenance of AI systems
Anticipate regulatory and technological developments impacting AI security
Strengthen training and awareness on AI-related risks
The publication also advises against using AI for automating critical actions without safeguards, urging organisations to conduct dedicated risk analyses and assess security measures at every stage of the AI system lifecycle.
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A controversy has emerged over the British government’s reported attempt to compel Apple to grant authorities access to encrypted iCloud accounts, leading to calls for increased transparency from intelligence agencies. Sir Jeremy Fleming, the former head of the UK’s GCHQ from 2017 to 2023, addressed this issue at the Munich Cyber Security Conference, highlighting the need for public understanding and trust in intelligence operations. He emphasised that an agency’s ‘license to operate’ should be grounded in transparency.
The UK government has contested the description of a ‘back door’ in relation to the notice, clarifying that it seeks to ensure Apple maintains the capability to provide iCloud data in response to lawful warrants, a function that existed prior to the introduction of end-to-end encryption for iCloud in December 2022.
Since 2020, Apple has provided iCloud data to UK authorities in response to four of more than 6,000 legal requests for customer information under non-IPA laws. However, this data excludes requests made under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), the UK’s primary law for accessing tech company data.
Fleming emphasised the importance of intelligence agencies providing clear explanations of their operations, particularly in relation to new technologies. He pointed out the need for a better understanding of how intelligence agencies operate in practice, particularly as technological advancements change their methods.
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The Singapore government introduced three new AI governance initiatives to promote safety and global best practices. The initiatives include the Global AI Assurance Pilot, which focuses on testing generative AI applications; a joint testing report with Japan to enhance AI safety across different linguistic environments; and the publication of the Singapore AI Safety Red Teaming Challenge evaluation report, aimed at addressing AI performance across languages and cultures.
The announcement was made by Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, at the AI Action Summit (AIAS) in Paris. During her speech, Minister Teo emphasised Singapore’s commitment to fostering international collaboration on AI safety, noting the importance of understanding public concerns and ensuring AI systems are tested for safety and responsibility. She also highlighted the role of private sector partnerships in shaping AI use cases and risk management strategies.
The new initiatives include practical efforts to ensure AI models, particularly large language models (LLMs), are secure and culturally sensitive. The AI Assurance Pilot, for instance, will bring together global AI assurance vendors and companies deploying real-life GenAI applications to establish future standards for AI governance. The joint testing report with Japan aims to improve the safety of LLMs across multiple languages, addressing potential gaps in non-English safeguards. Additionally, the Red Teaming Challenge provided insights into AI performance and cultural bias, with participants testing LLMs for issues such as violent crime and privacy violations.
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A new study from the UK has raised concerns about the risks of bank runs fueled by AI-generated fake news spread on social media. The research, published by Say No to Disinfo and Fenimore Harper, highlights how generative AI can create false stories or memes suggesting that bank deposits are at risk, leading to panic withdrawals. The study found that a significant portion of UK bank customers would consider moving their money after seeing such disinformation, especially with the speed at which funds can be transferred through online banking.
The issue is gaining traction globally, with regulators and banks worried about the growing role of AI in spreading malicious content. Following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023, which saw $42 billion in withdrawals within a day, financial institutions are increasingly focused on detecting disinformation that could trigger similar crises. The study estimates that a small investment in social media ads promoting fake content could cause millions in deposit withdrawals.
The report calls for banks to enhance their monitoring systems, integrating social media tracking with withdrawal monitoring to better identify when disinformation is impacting customer behaviour. Revolut, a UK fintech, has already implemented real-time monitoring for emerging threats, urging financial institutions to be prepared for potential risks. While banks remain optimistic about AI’s potential, the financial stability challenges it poses are still a growing concern for regulators.
As financial institutions work to mitigate AI-related risks, the broader industry is also grappling with how to balance the benefits of AI with the threats it may pose. UK Finance, the industry body, emphasised that banks are making efforts to manage these risks, while regulators continue to monitor the situation closely.
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Taiwan’s GlobalWafers confirmed on Friday that its investments in the US are proceeding as planned, despite potential changes under the US CHIPS Act. The company has been awarded $406 million in government grants to expand its silicon wafer production in Texas and Missouri. However, the Biden administration is considering changes to some CHIPS Act funding, which has raised concerns for GlobalWafers, as sources indicated there could be delays or renegotiations of some semiconductor-related disbursements.
GlobalWafers CEO Doris Hsu stated that the company has not yet received any notifications regarding changes to its subsidy terms. She emphasised that, if adjustments to the CHIPS Act do occur, the company would need to reassess its investment strategy in the US. Hsu added that the decision would depend on factors such as US demand, pricing conditions, and potential tariffs, though she noted that these scenarios are still hypothetical at this stage.
The company is moving forward with its expansion plans across three US plants, with funding tied to specific milestones. Hsu reassured that the planned investments are continuing according to schedule, with no immediate changes to the company’s strategy. GlobalWafers remains optimistic about its US operations, bolstered by its existing factories in the country and its strong global presence.
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The UK government has partnered with AI startup Anthropic to explore the use of its chatbot, Claude, in public services. The collaboration aims to improve access to public information and streamline interactions for citizens.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambition to establish the UK as a leader in AI and enhance public service efficiency through innovative technologies.
Technology minister Peter Kyle highlighted the importance of this partnership, emphasising its role in positioning the UK as a hub for advanced AI development.
Claude has already been employed by the European Parliament to simplify access to its archives, demonstrating its potential in reducing time for document retrieval and analysis.
This step underscores Britain’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI for the benefit of individuals and businesses nationwide.
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Taiwan‘s President Lai Ching-te has pledged to address concerns raised by former US President Donald Trump regarding Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. Speaking after a National Security Council meeting, Lai acknowledged the importance of global semiconductor supply chains and vowed to work with Taiwan’s semiconductor sector to develop strategies to address US concerns. He emphasised the need for democratic nations, including the US, to collaborate on creating a “democratic supply chain” for advanced chips, particularly in the growing AI sector.
Lai also reassured the US of Taiwan’s commitment to contributing to the international economy, noting that Taiwan, home to the world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, plays a vital role in the semiconductor market. TSMC is heavily invested in the US, including a $65 billion investment in new factories in Arizona. Despite these efforts, Taiwan’s defence spending remains a topic of criticism, particularly from Trump, who has repeatedly highlighted Taiwan’s insufficient military expenditure amid increasing threats from China.
In response to US concerns, Lai revealed plans to propose a special budget to raise Taiwan’s defence spending from 2.5% of GDP to 3%. This proposal is currently being debated in parliament, where opposition parties hold a majority. Lai stressed that Taiwan’s determination to defend itself must be clear, as international allies continue to voice concerns over its defence readiness.
Finally, Lai reiterated Taiwan’s key role as a reliable trading partner to the US, especially in high-tech exports such as semiconductors. Taiwan’s trade surplus with the US surged by 83% last year, with exports reaching a record $111.4 billion.
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Italy has rejected claims that Israeli spyware company Paragon ended its collaboration with Rome following allegations that its technology had been misused to target journalists and activists instead of criminals. Cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters Alfredo Mantovano stated that Paragon had never suspended its services or terminated its contract with the Italian government. Minister for parliamentary relations Luca Ciriani also defended Italy‘s intelligence services, insisting they had acted within the law and had not used the software against protected individuals, including journalists.
Concerns arose after Meta’s WhatsApp revealed that Paragon’s spyware had been used to target multiple individuals, including a journalist and a human rights activist critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy acknowledged that seven mobile phone users had been affected but denied any government involvement, calling for an investigation. Reports from The Guardian and Haaretz suggested Paragon had severed ties with Rome, doubting the government’s denial of wrongdoing.
Israel-based Paragon and its owner, Florida-based AE Industrial Partners, have not responded to requests for comment. Ciriani assured parliament that Italy’s intelligence services continue to operate fully against national security threats. He also called for the judiciary to investigate the alleged hacking of journalists and activists, stating that Italian intelligence agencies were ready to assist in uncovering the truth.
