Digital identities Archives | Page 166 of 184

US national security threatened by large-scale federal workforce reductions

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.

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Google acknowledges AI being used for harmful content

Google has reported receiving over 250 complaints globally about its AI software being used to create deepfake terrorist content, according to Australia’s eSafety Commission.

The tech giant also acknowledged dozens of user reports alleging that its AI program, Gemini, was being exploited to generate child abuse material. Under Australian law, companies must provide regular updates on their efforts to minimise harm or risk hefty fines.

The eSafety Commission described Google’s disclosure as a ‘world-first insight’ into how AI tools may be misused to produce harmful and illegal content.

Between April 2023 and February 2024, Google received 258 reports of suspected AI-generated extremist material and 86 related to child exploitation. However, the company did not specify how many of these reports were verified.

A Google spokesperson stated that the company strictly prohibits AI-generated content related to terrorism, child abuse, and other illegal activities.

While it uses automated detection to remove AI-generated child exploitation material, the same system is not applied to extremist content.

Meanwhile, the regulator has previously fined platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram for failing to meet reporting requirements, with both companies planning to appeal.

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Google unveils experimental AI search for premium users

Google has introduced an experimental version of its search engine that removes the traditional 10 blue links in favour of AI-generated summaries.

The new ‘AI Mode’ is available to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, a $19.99 per month plan, and can be accessed through a tab alongside existing options like Images and Maps.

Users will see a detailed AI summary with hyperlinks to cited sources, replacing standard search results with a search bar for follow-up questions.

The feature is powered by a customised version of Google’s Gemini 2.0 model, designed to handle complex queries more effectively.

AI Overviews, which provide summaries atop search results, are already available in over 100 countries, with advertisements integrated into them since last May. Google says the new AI-driven approach responds to demand from “power users” seeking more AI-generated responses.

As Google pushes deeper into AI-powered search, it faces competition from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which introduced search capabilities to ChatGPT last October.

The shift has raised concerns among content creators, with edtech company Chegg suing Google in February, alleging that AI previews are reducing demand for original content and hurting publishers’ ability to compete.

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Antitrust probe into Microsoft and OpenAI ends in the UK

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its investigation into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, deciding not to move forward with a merger probe.

The decision comes after the CMA found that Microsoft does not hold enough control over OpenAI, a key factor in triggering a merger review. The companies’ collaboration began in 2019, when Microsoft invested $1 billion in the AI startup.

Despite this, the CMA stated that Microsoft’s influence had not evolved to the level of de facto control required for further scrutiny.

This marks the end of the UK’s formal investigation into the deal, although the CMA clarified that its decision should not be interpreted as a dismissal of potential competition concerns related to the partnership.

While the investigation is closed, the CMA has been increasingly active in examining major tech company acquisitions, particularly those involving AI startups.

Microsoft welcomed the CMA’s decision, asserting that their ongoing partnership with OpenAI fosters innovation and competition in AI development.

Meanwhile, the CMA continues to monitor the tech sector, with broader powers to investigate companies deemed to hold ‘strategic market status’.

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EU set to implement Entry/Exit System for border control

The European Union has reached an agreement to finally implement the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES), which will modernise border checks for short-stay travellers.

After several delays due to technical issues and a lack of readiness, the system is now set to begin operations in autumn, though a specific launch date has yet to be determined.

Member states will have the option to introduce the system all at once or in phases over a six-month transition period, with the full implementation to be completed by the end of the transition.

The EES, which was first proposed in 2016, aims to replace traditional passport stamping by collecting biometric data from non-EU visitors, including photos and fingerprints.

This data will be recorded each time visitors enter or exit the Schengen Area. The system is designed to improve border control, help authorities identify overstayers, and prevent identity fraud.

While Cyprus and Ireland will not participate in the new system, all other EU member states and four Schengen-associated countries will be involved.

Poland, which currently holds the EU Council’s rotating presidency, will lead negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the law.

Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s Minister for Internal Affairs, indicated that a final agreement should be reached smoothly, with October set as the target for full implementation.

The EES is expected to provide authorities with new tools to enhance security and better manage borders within the Schengen Area.

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Aylo Holdings faces legal pressure over privacy concerns

Canada’s privacy commissioner has launched legal action against Aylo Holdings, the Montreal-based operator of Pornhub and other adult websites, for failing to ensure consent from individuals featured in uploaded content.

Commissioner Philippe Dufresne said Aylo had not adequately addressed concerns raised in an earlier investigation, which found the company allowed intimate images to be shared without the direct permission of those depicted.

A Federal Court order is being sought to enforce compliance with privacy laws in Canada. Aylo Holdings has denied violating privacy laws and expressed disappointment at the legal action.

The company claims it has been in ongoing discussions with regulators and has implemented significant measures to prevent non-consensual content from being shared. These include mandatory uploader verification, proof of consent for all participants, stricter moderation, and banning content downloads.

The case stems from a complaint by a woman whose ex-boyfriend uploaded intimate images of her without her consent.

Although Aylo says the incident occurred in 2015 and policies have since improved, the privacy commissioner insists that stronger enforcement is needed. The legal battle could have significant implications for content moderation policies in the adult entertainment industry.

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FCC raises concerns over EU’s online regulation impact on free speech

The chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has criticised the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), warning it could excessively limit free speech.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Brendan Carr argued that the European Union‘s content moderation law is incompatible with America’s free speech tradition and puts undue pressure on US tech firms operating in Europe.

Carr’s comments reflect growing tensions between the United States and Europe over digital regulation. The FCC chairman accused the DSA of promoting censorship, echoing concerns raised by US Vice President JD Vance at an AI summit in Paris.

The Trump administration has made free speech a key policy focus, with President Trump vowing to combat online censorship and warning of scrutiny over the DSA’s impact on US businesses.

Tech giants such as Apple, Meta, and Alphabet have been asked to explain how they plan to comply with both the DSA and US free speech principles.

Some companies are considering geofencing to create separate platforms for different regions, though Carr questioned whether this would be practical.

The European Commission defended the law, stating it aims to protect fundamental rights and ensure a safer online environment.

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Microsoft retires Skype, focuses on Teams

Skype, the pioneering internet calling service that revolutionised communication in the early 2000s, will make its final call on May 5, as Microsoft retires the platform after two decades.

This move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to concentrate on its Teams service, which has become central to its business communication offerings, particularly since the pandemic.

Despite its early success and a peak of hundreds of millions of users, Skype struggled to compete with newer services like Zoom and Slack.

The platform’s decline was partly due to its inability to adapt to the mobile era, while Microsoft’s Teams has successfully integrated with Office applications, securing its position in the corporate sector.

Microsoft has assured Skype users that they will be able to transition smoothly to Teams, with their contacts and chats migrating automatically. While Skype had once been a major player, its decline mirrors other Microsoft missteps, such as its failed ventures with Internet Explorer and Windows Phone.

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UK regulator sets deadline for assessing online content risks

Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has set a 31 March deadline for social media and online platforms to submit a risk assessment on the likelihood of users encountering illegal content. This move follows new laws passed last year requiring companies such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as ByteDance’s TikTok, to take action against criminal activities on their platforms. Under the Online Safety Act, these firms must assess and address the risks of offences like terrorism, hate crimes, child sexual exploitation, and financial fraud.

The risk assessment must evaluate how likely it is for users to come across illegal content, or how user-to-user services could facilitate criminal activities. Ofcom has warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in enforcement actions against the companies. The new regulations aim to make online platforms safer and hold them accountable for the content shared on their sites.

The deadline is part of the UK‘s broader push to regulate online content and enhance user safety. Social media giants are now facing stricter scrutiny to ensure they are addressing potential risks associated with their platforms and protecting users from harmful content.

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UK Court rules in favour of Lenovo in patent battle

Lenovo has won an appeal in a UK court that will allow it to secure a temporary licence for Ericsson’s patents, marking a significant development in the ongoing patent dispute between the two companies.

The case, which revolves around fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing terms for 4G and 5G wireless technology, has seen both companies take legal action in various countries, including the UK, Brazil, and the US.

In his ruling, Judge Richard Arnold determined that Ericsson had failed to act in good faith by pursuing legal claims in foreign courts despite Lenovo’s willingness to accept the FRAND terms set by the English courts.

He stated that, as a willing licensor, Ericsson should have agreed to an interim licence, with Lenovo being required to pay a substantial sum to Ericsson. Lenovo’s Chief Legal Officer hailed the decision as a victory for transparency and fairness in global patent licensing.

The ruling follows Lenovo’s 2023 lawsuit against Ericsson in the UK, a part of the broader dispute between the two over the terms for the use of each other’s patents. Ericsson has yet to comment on the decision.

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