Social media platform X is experiencing widespread outages in the US and the UK, with thousands of users reporting issues, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.
Reports indicate over 21,000 incidents in the US and more than 10,800 in the UK, suggesting significant disruptions.
Downdetector, which gathers status reports from various sources, noted that the actual number of affected users may be higher.
Many have turned to other platforms to discuss the outage, but X has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The cause of the disruption remains unclear, and there is no official timeline for when full service will be restored. Users continue to face difficulties accessing the platform, impacting communication and social media activity globally.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that his administration is actively negotiating with four parties interested in purchasing TikTok, the immensely popular Chinese-owned social media platform.
Trump’s comments come amid continued uncertainty about TikTok’s future in the US, following security concerns that prompted legislation mandating its sale or facing a ban.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism about the potential deal, suggesting all four prospective buyers offered strong options.
Though Trump did not disclose specifics about the parties involved, recent reports indicate significant interest, notably from prominent businessman Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Analysts estimate TikTok’s value could reach up to $50 billion, making it one of the most lucrative tech deals in recent years.
President Trump subsequently delayed enforcement of the law by signing an executive order granting a 75-day extension, providing additional time to facilitate a sale.
So far, neither TikTok nor ByteDance have publicly commented on Trump’s latest statements or the ongoing negotiations.
Meanwhile, the app’s tens of millions of American users continue to watch closely, hoping their favourite platform survives the political and economic storm surrounding it.
Japan has announced plans to prioritise the use of domestic software for cybersecurity purposes, as part of an initiative to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign products in this critical sector.
The government intends to offer subsidies and support technology standards that will encourage the growth of the local cybersecurity industry. However, this move is also a part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance cyber defence and strengthen national security.
As of 2021, Japanese domestic companies were responsible for around 40% of the nation’s cybersecurity countermeasure products. For newer products, this share has significantly decreased, with domestic offerings accounting for less than 10% of the latest cybersecurity technologies.
The move reflects Japan’s increasing focus on cybersecurity as a national priority, particularly in the face of rising global cyber threats. By fostering a stronger domestic cybersecurity ecosystem, Japan aims to enhance its resilience against cyberattacks.
Experts, however, warned that that restricting foreign products could limit access to cutting-edge technologies, making the domestic industry potentially less competitive in terms of features, capabilities, or performance. This could hinder the effectiveness of cybersecurity defenses.
To support this transition, the government plans to offer financial incentives and collaborate with local technology providers to establish standardized solutions that meet both national and international security requirements.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Japan’s critical infrastructure and businesses are better protected in the digital age.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has refused recent reports suggesting a shift in its approach to addressing cyber threats from Russia.
The Guardian published an article citing anonymous sources who claimed CISA analysts had been instructed not to report on Russian cyber threats, and that a Russia-related project was halted.
In response, CISA issued a statement, affirming its continued commitment to defending US critical infrastructure against all cyber threats, including those from Russia, and asserting that any claims of a change in strategy were inaccurate.
However, this story coincided with the news about a temporary order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for US Cyber Command to halt all planning related to Russia, though the order did not apply to the National Security Agency.
Further reports from the Washington Post and New York Times indicated that this directive may be related to diplomatic efforts by President Donald Trump to engage Russia in negotiations about the war in Ukraine.
Russia, however, was absent in a recent speech by a senior State Department official on critical infrastructure cyber threats within the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG).
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The UK government has removed encryption advice from its official web pages, shortly after requesting backdoor access to encrypted data stored on Apple’s iCloud service.
The change was noticed by security expert Alec Muffett, who highlighted in a blog post that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) no longer recommends encryption for high-risk individuals.
Previously, the NCSC had advised the use of encryption tools such as Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for secure iCloud backups, which provide end-to-end encryption to ensure only the user has access to their data.
However, the webpage now redirects to a different page with no mention of encryption, instead recommending Apple’s Lockdown Mode—a security feature designed to limit access to certain phone functions.
Muffett pointed out that the original advice is no longer available on government sites, though it can still be accessed via the Wayback Machine.
This development follows reports that the UK government requested Apple to build a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud data.
In response, Apple removed the ADP feature for new users in the UK and stated that existing users would eventually need to disable it. Apple is reportedly challenging the UK’s data access order in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Indonesia has granted local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 after the company met requirements for locally-made components.
Apple still needs further approvals from the communications and trade ministries before it can officially sell the devices in the country.
The certification follows Apple’s recent pledge to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, including funding component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre.
Industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that Apple received certificates for 11 phone models and nine tablets.
However, negotiations had been ‘tricky’, according to Indonesia’s industry minister. Apple remains outside the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, according to research firm Canalyst.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand (about $296.81 million) by 2027 to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa.
The investment comes in response to the increasing demand for the company’s Azure services in the region, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of businesses integrating AI technology into their operations.
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, revealed the initiative during an event in Johannesburg, confirming that the company would also fund technical certification exams for 50,000 individuals.
These exams will cover crucial digital skills, including cloud architecture, AI, and cybersecurity, aiming to address the shortage of skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.
The new investment builds on Microsoft’s previous spending of 20.4 billion rand to establish South Africa’s first enterprise-grade data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
These data centres have become essential hubs for handling the computational demands of AI, as local businesses look to adopt AI-driven solutions.
The company’s broader strategy includes a global commitment to invest around $80 billion in 2025 to further develop data centres and deploy AI and cloud-based applications. South Africa, as a growing tech hub, is expected to play a key role in Microsoft’s plans for the future.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Italy’s ruling League party is urging the government to choose Elon Musk’s Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for secure satellite communications, arguing that Starlink’s technology is more advanced.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is looking for an encrypted communication system for officials operating in high-risk areas, with both Starlink and Eutelsat in talks for the contract.
League leader Matteo Salvini, a strong supporter of former US President Donald Trump, has emphasised the need to prioritise US technology over a French alternative.
Meanwhile, Eutelsat’s CEO confirmed discussions with Italy as the country seeks an interim solution before the EU’s delayed IRIS² satellite system becomes operational.
Meloni’s office has stated that no formal negotiations have taken place and that any decision will be made transparently.
However, opposition parties have raised concerns over Starlink’s involvement, given recent speculation that Musk could cut off Ukraine from its service, potentially affecting national security interests.
Musk responded positively to the League’s endorsement, calling it ‘much appreciated’ on his social media platform X.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
A former top National Security Agency official has warned that widespread federal job cuts could severely undermine US cybersecurity and national security.
Rob Joyce, former NSA director of cybersecurity, told a congressional committee that eliminating probationary employees would weaken the government’s ability to combat cyber threats, particularly those from China.
The remarks were made during a House Select Committee hearing on China‘s cyber operations targeting critical United States infrastructure and telecommunications.
More than 100,000 federal workers have left their jobs through early retirement or layoffs as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink government agencies, with support from billionaire advisor Elon Musk.
While national security roles were supposed to be exempt, some cybersecurity positions have still been affected.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has already cut over 130 positions, raising concerns about the government’s ability to protect critical systems.
The White House and NSA declined to comment on the impact of the job reductions.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that the cuts are expected to save $50 million and that further reductions in ‘wasteful positions’ are being considered.
However, critics argue that the loss of skilled personnel in cybersecurity roles could leave the country more vulnerable to foreign threats.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote next month on exploring alternatives to GPS due to growing national security concerns.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that relying on a single system for navigation and timing leaves the United States vulnerable to disruptions. Reports of increased GPS interference, particularly spoofing attacks since 2023, have raised fears of accidents if aircraft are misdirected.
Concerns over GPS security have been discussed for years, with President Donald Trump and bipartisan lawmakers calling for action.
The FCC’s March 27 vote will launch an inquiry into alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems that could complement or replace GPS. The aim is to encourage innovation in navigation technology and strengthen resilience against disruptions.
GPS plays a crucial role in aviation, replacing traditional ground-based navigation systems. However, its reliance on satellite signals makes it susceptible to interference.
The Federal Aviation Administration is already working on global authentication measures to counter spoofing threats and improve the security of satellite-based navigation.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
