Google has announced a $20 billion partnership with Intersect Power and TPG Rise Climate to build renewable energy projects, battery storage, and grid upgrades for its data centres. The initiative includes wind, solar, and battery storage facilities, each paired with 1-gigawatt-scale data centres to meet growing energy demands for AI technology. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2026.
The plan aims to address grid bottlenecks, with Google funding required upgrades to accelerate connectivity. This strategy highlights renewables’ speed over nuclear options, which have longer timelines for implementation.
Industry experts predict a shortfall in energy for AI-focused data centres by 2027, underscoring the urgency for alternative power sources. While Google also invests in nuclear energy projects, renewables are expected to dominate in the near term.
TikTok‘s Canadian branch has filed an emergency motion with the country’s Federal Court to review a government order requiring it to cease operations due to national security concerns. The company, owned by China’s ByteDance, is challenging the December 5 order and seeking either its annulment or a return to the government for further review. The motion argues that shutting down TikTok’s Canadian operations could result in significant job losses.
The legal challenge comes after Canada began investigating TikTok’s plans to expand its business in the country last year. The investigation led to last month’s order, which did not block Canadian access to the app but mandated the company’s exit from the Canadian market. TikTok emphasised the importance of maintaining a local presence for its platform in Canada, where it has over 14 million monthly users.
Under Canadian law, the government can assess foreign investments’ risks to national security, though details of the investigations are kept confidential. The case follows similar actions in the US, where the government has pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets by January 2025 or face a ban. TikTok is currently seeking a temporary block on this US law as well.
Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics face potential bans in the US under a proposed military bill. The legislation requires a national security review within a year to assess risks posed by their drones. If no review occurs, the companies will automatically join the Federal Communications Commission’s ‘Covered List,’ effectively blocking the sale of new models.
DJI, the world’s largest drone producer, claims the process is unfair, citing extensive security audits and enhanced privacy features. Autel Robotics, also impacted by the proposal, has previously been flagged for investigation over national security concerns.
US lawmakers remain concerned about potential surveillance risks and data vulnerabilities linked to Chinese drones. DJI has refuted these claims, emphasising that no forced labour is involved in its production, despite customs citing related concerns to block imports.
The controversy reflects escalating tensions in US-China relations, particularly in technology and national security domains. The outcome of the proposed bill could reshape the landscape of the commercial drone market in the United States.
US government agencies are set to brief the House of Representatives on a widespread cyberespionage campaign allegedly linked to China. Known as Salt Typhoon, the operation reportedly targeted American telecommunications firms to steal call metadata and other sensitive information. A similar briefing was held for senators last week.
The White House revealed that at least eight US telecom companies had been affected, with a large number of citizens’ data compromised. Senator Ron Wyden is drafting legislation in response, while Senator Bob Casey expressed significant concern, noting that legislative action might be delayed until the new year.
On Wednesday, a Senate Commerce subcommittee will examine the broader risks posed by cyber threats to communication networks. Industry representatives, including Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan, will contribute insights on best practices to counter such attacks.
China has denied the allegations, labelling them as disinformation, and reaffirmed its opposition to cyber theft. Officials and lawmakers continue to emphasise the gravity of the breaches, with Senator Richard Blumenthal calling the scale of Chinese hacking efforts ‘terrifying.’
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court to temporarily halt a US law that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok by 19 January or face a nationwide ban. The companies argue that without the delay, the popular app could shut down in the US, affecting 170 million monthly users and numerous businesses reliant on the platform.
The motion follows a decision by an appeals court panel upholding the divestment requirement. TikTok’s lawyers assert the Supreme Court should have time to review the case and highlight President-elect Donald Trump’s stated intention to prevent the ban. The incoming administration, they argue, could reconsider the law and render the case moot.
The law granting the US government authority to ban foreign-owned apps over data security concerns has faced criticism, with TikTok warning the decision could disrupt services globally. As the January deadline looms, ByteDance faces challenges in demonstrating sufficient progress toward a divestment to secure an extension, even as political and legal battles intensify.
Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries have joined forces to optimise defence data for AI training. Palantir’s platform will organise and label sensitive defence data for model training, while Anduril’s systems will manage the retention and distribution of this information for national security applications.
The collaboration highlights challenges in deploying AI for defence, where sensitive data complicates model training. Anduril recently partnered with OpenAI to integrate advanced AI into security missions, underscoring its commitment to autonomous defence solutions.
Palantir, a key player in the AI boom, continues to see robust demand from governments and businesses seeking advanced software solutions.
Polish authorities have detained Dmitry V., the former head of Russia’s crypto exchange WEX, in Warsaw following an extradition request from the US Department of Justice. During his tenure at WEX, Dmitry V. was suspected of fraud and money laundering. He is facing potential extradition to the US, where charges could carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Dmitry V. has been linked to WEX, a successor to BTC-e, once Russia’s largest cryptocurrency platform before its collapse in 2018. The exchange was infamous for lax identity checks and ties to high-profile crypto hacks, including the Mt. Gox breach. Around $450 million remains unaccounted for from WEX, which had processed over $9 billion in transactions during its operation.
This is not Dmitry V.’s first arrest; he was previously detained in Poland in 2021 and later apprehended by Interpol in Croatia in 2022. His history also includes a 2019 arrest in Italy, which was short-lived due to errors in the extradition process.
The US House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a defence bill proposing $3 billion for telecom companies to replace equipment from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The legislation aims to address security concerns posed by Chinese technology in American wireless networks. A previous allocation of $1.9 billion was deemed insufficient for the programme, which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates will cost nearly $5 billion.
The initiative, known as the ‘rip and replace’ programme, targets rural carriers reliant on the equipment, which could lose connectivity if funding gaps persist. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel warned that insufficient funding might force some rural networks to shut down, endangering services such as 911 emergency calls. Rural regions face significant risks without immediate support for the removal and replacement of insecure telecoms infrastructure.
The proposed funding would also cover up to $500 million for regional technology hubs, supported by revenue from an FCC spectrum auction. Advocates emphasise the importance of securing connectivity while maintaining services for millions of Americans. Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan welcomed the proposed funding, calling it critical for network security and consumer access.
Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, appeared in a Paris court on 6 December to address allegations that the messaging app has facilitated criminal activity. Represented by his lawyers, Durov reportedly stated he trusted the French justice system but declined to comment further on the case.
The legal proceedings stem from charges brought against Durov in August, accusing him of running a platform that enables illicit transactions. Following his arrest at Le Bourget airport, he posted a $6 million bail and has been barred from leaving France until March 2025. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros.
Industry experts fear the case against Durov reflects a broader crackdown on privacy-preserving technologies in the Web3 space. Parallels have been drawn with the arrest of Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev, raising concerns over government overreach and the implications for digital privacy.
Supply chain software company Blue Yonder is investigating claims of data theft after the ‘Termite’ ransomware group threatened to release stolen data. The Arizona-based company, which serves major clients like DHL, Starbucks, and Walgreens, was hit by a ransomware attack on 21 November. While Blue Yonder initially confirmed a cyberattack, it did not disclose the perpetrators.
The Termite group, which recently claimed responsibility for the breach on its dark web leak site, claims to have stolen 680 gigabytes of data, including documents, reports, and email lists. The group, believed to be a rebranded version of the Babuk ransomware gang, has threatened to release the data soon. Blue Yonder is working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and has notified impacted customers, though it has not confirmed specific details about the stolen data.
The attack has caused operational disruptions for some clients, including UK supermarkets Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, and US company Starbucks, which was forced to manually calculate employee pay. The full extent of the attack on Blue Yonder’s 3,000+ customers remains unclear.
