Consumer protection

Gemini flaw exposed Google Calendar data through hidden prompts

A vulnerability in Google Calendar allowed attackers to bypass privacy controls by embedding hidden instructions in standard calendar invitations. The issue exploited how Gemini interprets natural language when analysing user schedules.

Researchers at Miggo found that malicious prompts could be placed inside event descriptions. When Gemini scanned calendar data to answer routine queries, it unknowingly processed the embedded instructions.

The exploit used indirect prompt injection, a technique in which harmful commands are hidden within legitimate content. The AI model treated the text as trusted context rather than a potential threat.

In the proof-of-concept attack, Gemini was instructed to summarise a user’s private meetings and store the information in a new calendar event. The attacker could then access the data without alerting the victim.

Google confirmed the findings and deployed a fix after responsible disclosure. The case highlights growing security risks linked to how AI systems interpret natural language inputs.

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AI firms fall short of EU transparency rules on training data

Several major AI companies appear slow to meet EU transparency obligations, raising concerns over compliance with the AI Act.

Under the regulation, developers of large foundation models must disclose information about training data sources, allowing creators to assess whether copyrighted material has been used.

Such disclosures are intended to offer a minimal baseline of transparency, covering the use of public datasets, licensed material and scraped websites.

While open-source providers such as Hugging Face have already published detailed templates, leading commercial developers have so far provided only broad descriptions of data usage instead of specific sources.

Formal enforcement of the rules will not begin until later in the year, extending a grace period for companies that released models after August 2025.

The European Commission has indicated willingness to impose fines if necessary, although it continues to assess whether newer models fall under immediate obligations.

The issue is likely to become politically sensitive, as stricter enforcement could affect US-based technology firms and intensify transatlantic tensions over digital regulation.

Transparency under the AI Act may therefore test both regulatory resolve and international relations as implementation moves closer.

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Labour MPs press Starmer to consider UK under-16s social media ban

Pressure is growing on Keir Starmer after more than 60 Labour MPs called for a UK ban on social media use for under-16s, arguing that children’s online safety requires firmer regulation instead of voluntary platform measures.

The signatories span Labour’s internal divides, including senior parliamentarians and former frontbenchers, signalling broad concern over the impact of social media on young people’s well-being, education and mental health.

Supporters of the proposal point to Australia’s recently implemented ban as a model worth following, suggesting that early evidence could guide UK policy development rather than prolonged inaction.

Starmer is understood to favour a cautious approach, preferring to assess the Australian experience before endorsing legislation, as peers prepare to vote on related measures in the coming days.

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California moves to halt X AI deepfakes

California has ordered Elon Musk’s AI company xAI to stop creating and sharing non-consensual sexual deepfakes immediately. The move follows a surge in explicit AI-generated images circulating on X.

Attorney General Rob Bonta said xAI’s Grok tool enabled the manipulation of images of women and children without consent. Authorities argue that such activity breaches state decency laws and a new deepfake pornography ban.

The Californian investigation began after researchers found Grok users shared more non-consensual sexual imagery than users of other platforms. xAI introduced partial restrictions, though regulators said the real-world impact remains unclear.

Lawmakers say the case highlights growing risks linked to AI image tools. California officials warned companies could face significant penalties if deepfake creation and distribution continue unchecked.

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Finnish data breach exposed thousands of patients

A major data breach at Finnish psychotherapy provider Vastaamo exposed the private therapy records of around 33,000 patients in 2020. Hackers demanded bitcoin payments and threatened to publish deeply personal notes if victims refused to pay.

Among those affected was Meri-Tuuli Auer, who described intense fear after learning her confidential therapy details could be accessed online. Stolen records included discussions of mental health, abuse, and suicidal thoughts, causing nationwide shock.

The breach became the largest criminal investigation in Finland, prompting emergency government talks led by then prime minister Sanna Marin. Despite efforts to stop the leak, the full database had already circulated on the dark web.

Finnish courts later convicted cybercriminal Julius Kivimäki, sentencing him to more than six years in prison. Many victims say the damage remains permanent, with trust in therapy and digital health systems severely weakened.

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French regulator fines Free and Free Mobile €42 million

France’s data protection regulator CNIL has fined telecom operators Free Mobile and Free a combined €42 million over a major customer data breach. The sanctions follow an October 2024 cyberattack that exposed personal data linked to 24 million subscriber contracts.

Investigators found security safeguards were inadequate, allowing attackers to access sensitive personal data, including bank account details. Weak VPN authentication and poor detection of abnormal system activity were highlighted as key failures under the GDPR.

The French regulator also ruled that affected customers were not adequately informed about the risks they faced. Notification emails lacked sufficient detail to explain potential consequences or protective steps, thereby breaching obligations to clearly communicate data breach impacts.

Free Mobile faced an additional penalty for retaining former customer data longer than permitted. Authorities ordered both companies to complete security upgrades and data clean-up measures within strict deadlines.

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WordPress AI team outlines SEO shifts

Industry expectations around SEO are shifting as AI agents increasingly rely on existing search infrastructure, according to James LePage, co-lead of the WordPress AI team at Automattic.

Search discovery for AI systems continues to depend on classic signals such as links, authority and indexed content, suggesting no structural break from traditional search engines.

Publishers are therefore being encouraged to focus on semantic markup, schema and internal linking, with AI optimisation closely aligned to established long-tail search strategies.

Future-facing content strategies prioritise clear summaries, ranked information and progressive detail, enabling AI agents to reuse and interpret material independently of traditional websites.

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Questions mount over AI-generated artist

An artist called Sienna Rose has drawn millions of streams on Spotify, despite strong evidence suggesting she is AI-generated. Several of her jazz-influenced soul tracks have gone viral, with one surpassing five million plays.

Streaming platform Deezer says many of its songs have been flagged as AI-made using detection tools that identify technical artefacts in the audio. Signs include an unusually high volume of releases, generic sound patterns and a complete absence of live performances or online presence.

The mystery intensified after pop star Selena Gomez briefly shared one of Rose’s tracks on social media, only for it to be removed amid growing scrutiny. Record labels linked to Rose have declined to clarify whether a human performer exists.

The case highlights mounting concern across the industry as AI music floods streaming services. Artists, including Raye and Paul McCartney, have warned audiences that they still value emotional authenticity over algorithmic output.

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xAI faces stricter pollution rules for Memphis data centre

US regulators have closed a loophole that allowed Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, to operate gas-burning turbines at its Memphis data centre without full air pollution permits. The move follows concerns over emissions and local health impacts.

The US Environmental Protection Agency clarified that mobile gas turbines cannot be classified as ‘non-road engines’ to avoid Clean Air Act requirements. Companies must now obtain permits if their combined emissions exceed regulatory thresholds.

Local authorities had previously allowed the turbines to operate without public consultation or environmental review. The updated federal rule may slow xAI’s expansion plans in the Memphis area.

The Colossus data centre, opened in 2024, supports training and inference for Grok AI models and other services linked to Musk’s X platform. NVIDIA hardware is used extensively at the site.

Residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about air quality, particularly in nearby communities. Legal advocates say xAI’s future operations will be closely monitored for regulatory compliance.

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EU revises Cybersecurity Act to streamline certification

The European Commission plans to revise the Cybersecurity Act to expand certification schemes beyond ICT products and services. Future assessments would also cover companies’ overall risk-management posture, including governance and supply-chain practices.

Only one EU-wide scheme, the Common Criteria framework, has been formally adopted since 2019. Cloud, 5G, and digital identity certifications remain stalled due to procedural complexity and limited transparency under the current Cybersecurity Act framework.

The reforms aim to introduce clearer rules and a rolling work programme to support long-term planning. Managed security services, including incident response and penetration testing, would become eligible for EU certification.

ENISA would take on a stronger role as the central technical coordinator across member states. Additional funding and staff would be required to support its expanding mandate under the newer cybersecurity laws.

Stakeholders broadly support harmonisation to reduce administrative burden and regulatory fragmentation. The European Commission says organisational certification would assess cybersecurity maturity alongside technical product compliance.

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