Reddit has restored access to its platform following a software bug that disrupted services for tens of thousands of US users. The outage, starting at 3 pm ET, affected many who rely on the platform for social interaction and information.
Reports of issues peaked at around 49,000 users, according to monitoring service Downdetector. By 4:32 pm ET, the number of affected users dropped significantly to just over 14,500 as the platform began recovering.
The company acknowledged the issue stemmed from a recent update. A spokesperson confirmed, ‘A fix is in place, and we’re ramping back up.’ Operations were progressively restored, easing concerns among users.
Reddit’s swift action underscores the challenges of maintaining seamless services on social media platforms. Temporary glitches, however, highlight the importance of quick and efficient response strategies.
South Korean authorities have officially confirmed that North Korean hacker groups Lazarus and Andariel orchestrated the infamous $50 million cryptocurrency heist from the Upbit exchange in 2019. The stolen 342,000 Ether (ETH), worth around $147 per coin at the time, has soared in value and is now estimated to be worth over $1 billion due to recent market surges.
The investigation, conducted by South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, tracked crypto flows, IP addresses, and linguistic patterns, with support from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, to pinpoint North Korea’s involvement. It is the first time South Korea has directly tied a cryptocurrency attack to the reclusive nation, a significant breakthrough in cybercrime investigations.
Meanwhile, the probe into Upbit continues after allegations of weak Know Your Customer measures. Regulators flagged over 600,000 potential violations, including acceptance of unclear identification documents, which could lead to hefty fines and regulatory challenges for the exchange.
Five individuals, alleged members of the hacking group Scattered Spider, face criminal charges in the US. Prosecutors accuse the group of orchestrating phishing schemes to steal sensitive data and cryptocurrency. Victims include at least 12 companies from industries such as gaming and telecommunications, alongside individual cryptocurrency holders.
The suspects, aged in their teens or 20s during the offences, allegedly deceived employees into sharing login details through fraudulent messages. These actions enabled them to access corporate systems and drain millions from personal accounts. The group’s notoriety grew following high-profile hacks of casino operators in 2023, though connections to those incidents remain unclear.
Officials claim Scattered Spider operates as a loose collective of cybercriminals, often collaborating temporarily for specific crimes. Industry experts have long called for stronger enforcement against such groups. Recent arrests signal intensified efforts, with cybersecurity professionals warning young hackers of severe consequences if caught.
The defendants, including individuals from Scotland, Texas, and North Carolina, face charges of conspiracy, identity theft, and wire fraud. Arrests have taken place in the US and Spain, with extradition proceedings underway. Investigations continue as authorities pursue other suspected members of the group.
Australia’s government introduced a bill to parliament aiming to ban social media use for children under 16, with potential fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for platforms that fail to comply. The law would enforce age verification, possibly using biometrics or government IDs, setting the highest global age limit for social media use without exemptions for parental consent or existing accounts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the reforms as a response to the physical and mental health risks social media poses, particularly for young users. Harmful content, such as body image issues targeting girls and misogynistic content aimed at boys, has fueled the government’s push for strict measures. Messaging services, gaming, and educational platforms like Google Classroom and Headspace would remain accessible under the proposal.
While opposition parties support the bill, independents and the Greens are calling for more details. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised that the law places responsibility on platforms, not parents or children, to implement robust age-verification systems. Privacy safeguards, including mandatory destruction of collected data, are also part of the proposed legislation. Australia’s policy would be among the world’s strictest, surpassing similar efforts in France and the US.
Lyft is introducing new safety features, including rider verification badges, to enhance security on its platform. This update provides drivers with more passenger information, such as names, ratings, and verification badges, before accepting rides. The company will also implement safety alerts in certain areas, such as school zones and traffic enforcement locations, to further safeguard both riders and drivers.
The changes come alongside an easier dashcam registration process, with passengers now notified when recordings may occur during their ride. Another innovation allows drivers to report traffic conditions and hazards, contributing to real-time map updates. In addition, a new restroom finder tool will let drivers locate and rate facilities, improving convenience during long shifts.
Lyft’s competitor, Uber, launched similar safety updates earlier, including driver options to record trips via smartphone. Lyft’s initiatives signal its commitment to staying competitive while prioritising the safety and experience of its users.
The Somali government is developing a unified fibre optic deployment policy to streamline the installation and expansion of fibre optic infrastructure across the country. That initiative aims to foster collaboration among national telecommunications companies, reduce deployment costs, and support the growth of the digital economy.
Moreover, the policy seeks to improve national interconnection and enhance the efficiency of infrastructure expansion. However, the fibre optic network in Somalia remains underdeveloped and fragmented, with only isolated segments deployed by sub-regional operators.
Despite being connected to five international submarine cables, weak cross-border connections and the lack of a robust national network backbone limit the distribution of global capacity. As a result, uneven broadband access, poor network quality, and suppressed market competition significantly hinder equitable digital development.
While implementing the policy could improve the quality and coverage of internet services in Somalia, several challenges remain. These include, for example, limited access to affordable broadband-compatible devices, a lack of attractive data-driven services, insufficient local content, and a digital skills gap.
Consequently, these barriers contribute to the country’s low internet penetration rate of only 27.6% in early 2024. Therefore, addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring more equitable access to digital resources and enabling the growth of Somalia’s digital economy.
Microsoft has unveiled two innovative data centre infrastructure chips, designed to enhance AI operations and bolster data security. Announced at the Ignite conference, these new additions demonstrate a commitment to developing in-house silicon tailored for advanced computing needs. By producing custom chips, Microsoft joins major players like Amazon and Google in reducing dependency on suppliers such as Intel and Nvidia.
One of the new chips, the Azure Integrated HSM, is engineered to improve security by safeguarding sensitive encryption and security data within dedicated hardware. It will be integrated into all new data centre servers from next year. The second chip, a Data Processing Unit (DPU), consolidates server components for optimised cloud storage performance. Compared to existing hardware, it delivers quadruple the performance while consuming significantly less energy.
Microsoft’s investment in custom chips aligns with its broader strategy to enhance data centre efficiency for AI-driven applications. Rani Borkar, corporate vice president of Azure Hardware Systems, highlighted the importance of streamlining infrastructure to meet the demands of modern AI. The chips aim to process data at unprecedented speeds while maintaining robust security protocols.
Alongside these advancements, Microsoft introduced a new liquid cooling system for data centre servers, designed to support the intensive computing demands of large-scale AI models. The technology promises to reduce component temperatures efficiently, ensuring sustainability while catering to growing AI workloads.
The EU Council, along with its member states, has adopted a declaration for the first time on this specific topic establishing a unified understanding of how international law applies to cyberspace. This declaration underscores that cyberspace is not a lawless realm and reaffirms that international law, including the UN Charter, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law, is fully applicable to activities conducted in cyberspace.
The declaration highlights the escalating threat of malicious cyber activities, such as ransomware, which have grown in scale, sophistication, and impact, posing significant risks to European societies and economies. Recognising these challenges, the EU emphasizes that adherence to the UN framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace is essential for preserving international peace, security, and stability.
In the declaration, the EU and its member states have commented on principle of non-intervention, state sovereignty, due diligence, attribution, and countermeasures. In particular, the document highlights that “States exercise territorial jurisdiction over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure located in their territory, and persons engaged in cyber activities, within their territory”.
The official press release notes that the declaration’s foundation was laid in April 2024, when the European External Action Service (EEAS) presented a non-paper on the topic. After careful deliberation and collaboration between the Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues (HWPCI) and the Working Party on Public International Law (COJUR), the text was finalized and approved by the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) on 13 November 2024.
Australia has raised concerns about the growing number of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with over 11% of reported incidents last year targeting essential services like electricity, water, transport, and education. The Australian Signals Directorate’s latest report highlights state-sponsored actors and cybercriminals as key threats, employing advanced techniques such as phishing, brute-force attacks, and exploiting public-facing systems.
Defence Minister Richard Marles warned of an increasing focus on critical infrastructure by both criminal groups and foreign governments. Australia has attributed cyber incidents to countries including China, Russia, and Iran, with China allegedly shifting from espionage to disruptive cyber operations. Beijing has denied these accusations, dismissing them as baseless.
The report underscores the evolving cyber landscape and the urgent need for bolstered defences to safeguard Australia’s essential systems.
Keppel DC REIT will acquire full ownership of two data centres in Singapore, KDC SGP 7 and KDC SGP 8, as part of a $1.03 billion divestment deal. The acquisition involves Keppel’s Connectivity Division transferring its 51% stake in a joint venture with Cuscaden Peak Investments to Keppel DC REIT. Keppel will retain operational and management roles for the facilities.
The transaction aims to bolster Keppel DC REIT’s income stability while unlocking potential growth opportunities, including rental increases and expanded capacity. CEO Loh Hwee Long highlighted the deal’s immediate benefits, describing it as accretive to distribution per unit and supportive of long-term portfolio strength.
To fund the acquisition, Keppel DC REIT announced plans for an equity fundraising effort targeting approximately S$1 billion. New units will be priced between S$2.074 and S$2.128, providing additional financial stability for the purchase.
Keppel’s share of the divestment price is estimated at S$280 million. The move further strengthens the company’s commitment to the data centre industry while maintaining a key management role within its facilities.
