Digital standards

Mobile coverage from space may soon be reality

Satellite-based mobile coverage could arrive in the UK by the end of 2025, with Ofcom launching a consultation on licensing direct-to-smartphone services.

The move would allow users to stay connected in areas without mast coverage using an ordinary mobile phone.

The proposal favours mobile networks teaming up with satellite operators to share frequencies in unserved regions, offering limited services like text messaging at first, with voice and data to follow.

Ofcom plans strict interference controls, and Vodafone is among those preparing to roll out such technology.

If approved, the service would be available across the UK mainland and surrounding seas, but not yet in places like the Channel Islands.

The public has until May to respond, as Ofcom seeks to modernise mobile access and help close the digital divide.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

How to protect your business from infostealer malware and credential theft

Cybercriminals stole billions of login credentials last year using infostealer malware, putting businesses worldwide at serious risk.

These malicious tools quietly harvest passwords and session tokens from infected devices, often within minutes.

To fight back, companies must use strong multi-factor authentication, store passwords in dedicated managers, and protect devices with advanced endpoint security.

Simple browser-stored logins are no longer safe, and attackers are getting better at bypassing weak defences.

Reducing session lifespans, using hardware-backed logins, and training staff to spot phishing threats are all key to staying secure.

By combining tech with human vigilance, organisations can stay ahead of attackers and safeguard their systems and data.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Ransomware spreads through online conversion tools

The FBI’s Denver Field Office has issued a national warning over a rising cyber threat involving fake file converter websites. These sites, posing as free tools for tasks like converting documents or media formats, are secretly distributing ransomware and malware while appearing to perform legitimate functions.

According to the FBI, users are lured by services that convert files such as ‘.doc’ to ‘.pdf’ or combine image files, but the downloaded output often contains hidden malware.

A recent case revealed that a site impersonating Convertio delivered RedLine Stealer, a dangerous strain that harvests sensitive data from browsers, crypto wallets, and applications like Telegram and Discord.

Security experts have identified multiple malicious domains involved, with active incidents reported in the US, Denver area, just weeks ago.

The FBI urges the public to avoid unknown converter sites, keep antivirus software updated, and use built-in conversion features within trusted apps.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

PsiQuantum targets functional quantum machine by 2029

Quantum computing firm PsiQuantum is reportedly raising at least $750 million in a new funding round led by BlackRock, pushing the startup’s pre-money valuation to $6 billion.

The round remains ongoing, but it signals strong investor confidence in PsiQuantum’s ambitious timeline to deliver a fully functional quantum computer by 2029, or sooner.

The US, California-based company uses photonics and semiconductor techniques to produce quantum chips in partnership with GlobalFoundries at a facility in New York.

It has also secured collaborations with the governments of Australia and the US to build quantum computers in Brisbane and Chicago.

The Chicago project will anchor the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, marking a major milestone in the commercialisation of quantum technologies.

PsiQuantum faces stiff competition from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, all of whom are making significant strides in quantum research.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI powers Microsoft’s latest security upgrade

Microsoft has launched a new set of AI agents as part of its Security Copilot platform, aiming to automate key cybersecurity tasks like phishing detection, data protection, and identity management. The release includes six in-house agents and five developed with partners.

Among the tools is a phishing triage agent that can autonomously process routine alerts, freeing analysts to focus on advanced incidents.

Microsoft said its new AI-driven approach goes beyond traditional security platforms, using generative AI to prioritise threats, correlate data, and even recommend or execute responses.

The rollout also brings new capabilities to Microsoft Defender, Entra, and Purview, enhancing organisations’ ability to manage and secure AI systems.

While analysts welcome the move as a step forward in proactive cybersecurity, some warn that full reliance on one platform carries strategic risks like vendor lock-in and reduced flexibility.

Experts suggest a balanced approach that combines Microsoft’s core capabilities with specialised solutions for areas such as threat intelligence and cloud protection, helping organisations stay agile in a fast-evolving threat landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Gmail uses AI to find emails faster

Google has introduced a new AI feature in Gmail aimed at making email searches faster and more accurate.

Instead of simply listing messages by date or keyword, the updated system now considers user habits, including frequently opened emails and commonly contacted senders, to provide more relevant results.

The enhanced search feature is being rolled out globally for personal Gmail accounts and is accessible via the web, Android, and iOS apps.

Users can now toggle between the new ‘most relevant’ results and the traditional ‘most recent’ option. Google has also stated that it plans to extend this functionality to business users in the near future.

By using AI to refine email searches, Gmail aims to reduce the time users spend digging through their inboxes.

However, this update is part of Google’s broader strategy to integrate more intelligent tools across its suite of productivity apps, offering a smoother, more efficient experience for everyday users.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Meta agrees to halt targeted ads in landmark UK privacy case

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to stop targeting a UK citizen with personalised adverts as part of a settlement in a landmark privacy case.

The case, which avoided a high court trial, was brought by human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll in 2022, who claimed Meta had violated UK data laws by processing her personal data for targeted advertising without her consent.

O’Carroll’s case received support from the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which stated that users have the right to opt out of targeted ads.

The settlement has been hailed as a victory for O’Carroll, with potential implications for millions of social media users in the UK. Meta, however, disagreed with the claims. Instead of this, the company was considering introducing a subscription model in the UK for users who want an advert-free version of its platforms.

The ICO’s stance in favour of privacy rights could prompt similar lawsuits in the future, as users are increasingly demanding control over how their data is used online.

O’Carroll argued that the case demonstrated the growing desire for more control over surveillance advertising and said that the ICO’s support could encourage more people to object to targeted ads.

Meta, which generates most of its revenue from advertising, emphasised that it took its privacy obligations seriously and was exploring the option of a paid, ad-free service for UK users.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI agents take centre stage in Oracle fusion

Oracle has launched its AI Agent Studio, a new platform designed to let businesses orchestrate and customise AI agents within its Fusion Applications suite.

Announced during the OracleCloud World Tour in London, the studio enables companies to coordinate teams of AI agents that handle tasks across enterprise resource planning, HR, supply chain, and customer experience systems.

The AI Agent Studio allows businesses to adapt prebuilt Oracle agents to suit their own processes. Users can modify agents by adjusting logic, integrating external tools, or adding custom prompts.

It also offers flexibility in choosing from a range of large language models optimised for Oracle or industry-specific use cases, such as Llama and Cohere.

Oracle’s move builds on earlier AI deployments in its cloud applications, where agents have been embedded to manage routine operations like invoice processing or recruitment steps.

The new platform advances that effort by allowing these agents to operate collaboratively and be tailored to more complex workflows.

Industry leaders including Accenture, Deloitte, and PwC have praised the development, calling it a significant step toward smarter enterprise automation.

Analysts echo this sentiment, noting that Oracle’s approach allows businesses to maximise AI efficiency across departments without added cost, offering a powerful edge in today’s rapidly evolving digital workplace.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

MetaAI rolls out in Europe after regulatory hurdles

MetaAI, Meta’s AI chat function, is set to launch across Europe after delays caused by regulatory scrutiny regarding the use of personal data to train its models.

The European Commission is reviewing a risk assessment from Meta to ensure that the new feature complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, this regulation mandates companies to submit risk assessments in advance of deploying new functions.

MetaAI was first launched in the US in September 2023, followed by India in June 2024, and the UK in October.

However, its European rollout was delayed last summer after the Irish Data Protection Commission raised concerns about using data from Facebook and Instagram users for AI training.

Meta faced criticism over Europe’s regulatory approach, with company officials, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressing frustration with the delays.

Despite the regulatory hurdles, Meta is now moving forward with its plans to bring MetaAI to the EU, with the company noting that the process has taken longer than expected due to Europe’s complex regulatory landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Apple plans to add cameras to future Apple Watch

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce cameras to its Apple Watch lineup within the next two years, integrating advanced AI-powered features like Visual Intelligence.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the standard Apple Watch Series will have a camera embedded within the display, while the Apple Watch Ultra will feature one on the side near the digital crown.

These cameras will allow the smartwatch to observe its surroundings and use AI to provide real-time, useful information to users.

Apple is also exploring similar camera technology for future AirPods, aiming to enhance their functionality with AI-driven capabilities.

The concept builds on the Visual Intelligence feature introduced with the iPhone 16, which allows users to extract details from flyers, identify locations, and more using the phone’s camera.

While the current system relies on external AI models, Apple is working on its in-house AI technology, and it is expected to power these features by 2027, when the camera-equipped Apple Watch and AirPods are likely to be released.

The move is part of Apple’s broader push into AI, led by Mike Rockwell, who previously spearheaded the Vision Pro project.

Rockwell is now overseeing the upgrade of Siri’s language model, which has faced delays, and contributing to visionOS, the operating system expected to support AI-enhanced AR glasses in the future. Apple’s increasing focus on AI suggests a shift towards more intelligent, context-aware wearable devices.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.