The Australian government has issued a directive prohibiting the use of cybersecurity software and web services from Kaspersky on government systems, citing national security considerations. Under the new policy, government agencies are required to remove existing Kaspersky products by April 2025 and refrain from installing them on government devices in the future.
According to a statement from Stephanie Foster, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, the decision follows a threat and risk assessment that identified security concerns related to the use of Kaspersky products and web services. The directive notes ‘unacceptable security risks arising from threats of foreign interference, espionage and sabotage’. The directive doesn’t provide details on threats and risks that have been recently identified and led to this decision.
In response to the decision, a Kaspersky spokesperson stated that the company was not given prior notice or an opportunity for engagement before the ban was issued. The company reiterated that the decision was influenced by geopolitical factors rather than technical assessments of its products. Despite the restriction on government use, Kaspersky confirmed that it will continue to provide services to other customers in Australia and remains open to discussions with authorities.
The move follows Australia’s earlier decision to prohibit the use of Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek’s technology in government systems, citing security risks.
Kaspersky has faced restrictions in multiple countries, with the US implementing a ban on its products in June 2024, followed by sanctions on several company executives. European nations, including Germany and the Netherlands, have also taken steps to limit the use of Kaspersky software in government infrastructure.
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A recent report by Telstra International and Omdia reveals that converged IT and operational technology (OT) systems were targeted in 75% of cyber incidents affecting manufacturing firms over the past year. The report underscores the significant cyber risks associated with IT/OT convergence and highlights a general lack of preparedness among manufacturers to address these challenges.
Integrating IT systems with OT—programmable systems that interact with industrial equipment—can enhance efficiency in sectors such as manufacturing and energy. However, this convergence also increases the attack surface for cyber threat actors targeting critical industrial systems.
The report indicates that approximately 70% of OT systems in companies across the US, Latin America, and Europe are expected to connect to corporate IT within the next year, rising from the current 50%. Despite this trend, only 19% of surveyed firms are classified as ‘advanced’ in securing their IT/OT systems according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).
Moreover, just 45% of manufacturers are well-prepared for IT/OT security across key areas such as security networking, awareness, supply chain risks, and the implementation of a zero trust framework. The report also highlights a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for securing IT/OT environments, with only 20% of respondents identifying Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) as accountable, followed by Chief Risk Officers (14%) and Chief Technology Officers (13%).
Geraldine Kor, Telstra International’s Head of Global Enterprise Business, emphasised the importance of clearly defining and integrating security responsibilities to ensure effective responses to security challenges in mission-critical systems. She noted that a strong security culture and the right personnel are essential for enhancing overall security readiness.
Overall, 80% of manufacturers reported a notable increase in cybersecurity incidents in the past year, with 31% leading to financial losses and/or operational downtime. The costs associated with incidents affecting resilience or availability ranged from $200,000 to $2 million.
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An online education company has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming its AI-generated search overviews are damaging digital publishing.
Chegg alleges the technology reduces demand for original content by keeping users on Google’s platform, ultimately eroding financial incentives for publishers. The company warns this could lead to a weaker online information ecosystem.
Chegg, which provides textbook rentals and homework help, says Google’s AI features have contributed to a drop in traffic and subscribers.
As a result, the company is considering a sale or a move to go private. Chegg’s CEO Nathan Schultz argues Google is profiting from the company’s content without proper compensation, threatening the future of quality educational resources.
A Google spokesperson rejected the claims, insisting AI overviews enhance search and create more opportunities for content discovery. The company maintains that search traffic remains strong, with billions of clicks sent to websites daily.
However, Chegg argues that Google’s dominance in online search allows it to pressure publishers into providing data for AI summaries, leading to fewer visitors to original sites.
The lawsuit marks the first time an individual company has accused Google of antitrust violations over AI-generated search features. A similar case was previously filed on behalf of the news industry. A US judge overseeing another case involving Google’s search monopoly is handling this lawsuit as well.
Google intends to challenge the claims and is appealing a previous ruling that found it held an illegal monopoly in online search.
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SpaceX is preparing to deploy its Starlink satellite internet terminals to enhance the information technology networks that support the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) national airspace system, according to Bloomberg News.
The move is expected to improve connectivity and speed within the FAA’s complex network, which manages the vast and busy American airspace.
Integrating Starlink into the FAA’s infrastructure could boost the agency’s ability to handle data-heavy operations, improve real-time communications, and strengthen system resilience during peak travel periods or emergencies.
Reliable satellite internet could also help modernise outdated network components and reduce disruptions in air traffic control services.
Starlink, known for its global satellite coverage and high-speed internet capabilities, has been expanding its commercial and governmental partnerships.
The collaboration with the FAA highlights Starlink’s growing role in critical infrastructure, pushing SpaceX further into sectors where reliable connectivity is essential.
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Microsoft has reportedly scrapped leases for significant data centre capacity in the United States, raising concerns about a potential slowdown in its AI infrastructure expansion.
TD Cowen analysts revealed that the company cancelled leases amounting to “a couple of hundred megawatts” with at least two private data-centre operators. The move has added weight to investor worries that the AI-driven market surge may be losing momentum.
Despite the lease cancellations, Microsoft maintains its commitment to invest over $80 billion in AI and cloud capacity this fiscal year.
A company spokesperson confirmed the investment plan remains intact, noting that adjustments to infrastructure are part of strategic planning rather than a broader scale-back.
Analysts suggest the lease cancellations might reflect a shift in Microsoft’s data centre strategy following years of aggressive expansion to meet AI demand.
Supply chain constraints had previously forced the company to secure excess capacity, sometimes at premium rates.
However, with growing investor scepticism around the costs of AI infrastructure and emerging competition from low-cost Chinese firms like DeepSeek, Microsoft’s recalibration has intensified concerns about the long-term sustainability of the AI boom.
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Chinese companies are significantly increasing orders for Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chip due to soaring demand for DeepSeek’s low-cost AI models.
The surge, reported for the first time, highlights Nvidia’s dominance in the market and alleviates concerns that DeepSeek’s emergence might weaken AI chip demand.
Major technology firms Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance have substantially raised their purchases of the H20 chip, which was specifically developed for China following US export restrictions.
These companies not only use advanced AI chips internally but also offer cloud services that enable other businesses to access AI tools. Smaller firms in sectors like healthcare and education are also adopting AI servers equipped with DeepSeek models and Nvidia H20 chips.
DeepSeek’s AI models rival Western alternatives while offering significantly lower costs by focusing on inference rather than raw processing power.
While potential US restrictions on H20 chip exports could be a factor in increased orders, sources attribute the demand spike primarily to DeepSeek’s expanding role in the AI market. Nvidia has not disclosed order volumes but stated its products succeed on merit in a competitive field.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to make a significant $40 billion investment in Italy, covering sectors such as energy, technology, and defence. This follows the first-ever state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Italy. The investment will span various projects, including data centres, AI, renewable energy, and subsea activities.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that this partnership will strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on mutual economic growth and collaboration. The investment aligns with the Mattei plan, aimed at boosting African development and reducing migrant arrivals to Italy. One notable project involves transporting electricity through an undersea cable between Italy, Albania, and the UAE, further enhancing regional cooperation.
In addition to economic and energy initiatives, both nations agreed to ramp up defence and security collaborations, including joint military production, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and disaster response efforts. The partnership will also support advanced research and development, contributing to sustainable development and digital growth.
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Indonesia and Apple have reportedly reached an agreement to lift the country’s ban on iPhone 16s, with a potential deal expected to be signed this week. The ban was imposed in October after Apple failed to meet the requirement that smartphones sold in Indonesia must include at least 35% locally-made parts.
As part of the agreement, Apple will invest $1 billion into a manufacturing plant in Indonesia, focused on producing components for smartphones and other products. Additionally, Apple will commit to training local workers in research and development, expanding beyond its existing Apple academies. However, Apple has no immediate plans to begin iPhone production in the country.
Neither Apple nor Indonesia’s Ministry for Industry have responded to requests for comment on the matter.
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The European Court of Justice has backed Italy‘s antitrust authority in a ruling against Google, stating that the tech giant’s refusal to allow Enel’s JuicePass app to work with its Android Auto platform could constitute an abuse of market power. This decision supports a 2021 fine of 102 million euros imposed by the Italian watchdog after Google blocked the e-mobility app. Google had argued that the refusal was due to security concerns and the absence of a specific template for compatibility, but the court disagreed, stating that dominant companies must ensure their platforms are interoperable with third-party apps unless doing so would harm security.
Although Google has since resolved the issue, the ruling sets a precedent for future cases involving platform dominance. The court acknowledged that companies could refuse interoperability if it compromises platform security, but if this is not the case, they must develop a compatible template in a reasonable timeframe. Google claimed the feature was only relevant to a small percentage of cars in Italy at the time, but the ruling now forces the company to comply with the antitrust decision. The case is final and cannot be appealed, and the Italian Council of State will follow the court’s guidance in its future ruling.
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Following the recent security breach at Bybit, major cryptocurrency firms have joined forces to combat the attack and mitigate its impact. Bybit’s CEO, Ben Zhou, confirmed that both centralised and decentralised finance leaders, such as Orbiter and SynFutures, quickly moved to blacklist the attacker’s addresses. Chainalysis also tracked and published wallet addresses linked to the exploit.
Blockchain security companies, including SIS and Zero Shadows, intensified efforts to block malicious transactions and trace the perpetrators, while institutional traders such as TMSI and Cumberland provided support to stabilise the market. Several DeFi protocols, including Lido Finance and Solana Foundation, also extended their assistance.
Zhou praised the swift collaboration from industry players, calling it a testament to the cryptocurrency sector’s resilience. The exchange has since launched a recovery bounty programme, offering up to 10% of recovered funds. Bybit is working hard to enhance its security infrastructure following the breach.
Investigations have pointed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group as the likely culprit behind the attack, which exploited Bybit’s Ethereum multisig cold wallet. This group is also connected to other high-profile crypto hacks, including the 2022 DMM Bitcoin exchange breach.
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