Several major gaming and online platforms have reportedly faced simultaneous disruptions across multiple devices and regions. Platforms like Steam and Riot Games experienced connection issues, blocking access to major titles such as Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Valorant, and League of Legends.
Some users reported issues with PlayStation Network, Epic Games, Hulu, AWS, and other services.
Experts suggest the outages may be linked to a possible DDoS attack from the Aisuru botnet. While official confirmations remain limited, reports indicate unusually high traffic, with one source claiming bandwidth levels near 30 terabits per second.
Similar activity from Aisuru has been noted in incidents dating back to 2024, targeting a range of internet-connected devices.
The botnet is thought to exploit vulnerabilities in routers, cameras, and other connected devices, potentially controlling hundreds of thousands of nodes. Researchers say the attacks are widespread across countries and industries, though their full scale and purpose remain uncertain.
Further investigations are ongoing, and platforms continue to monitor and respond to potential threats. Users are advised to remain aware of service updates and exercise caution when accessing online networks during periods of unusual activity.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that ChatGPT now reaches 800 million weekly active users, reflecting rapid growth across consumers, developers, enterprises and governments.
The figure marks another milestone for the company, which reported 700 million weekly users in August and 500 million at the end of March.
Altman shared the news during OpenAI’s Dev Day keynote, noting that four million developers are now building with OpenAI tools. He said ChatGPT processes more than six billion tokens per minute through its API, signalling how deeply integrated it has become across digital ecosystems.
The event also introduced new tools for building apps directly within ChatGPT and creating more advanced agentic systems. Altman states these will support a new generation of interactive and personalised applications.
OpenAI, still legally a nonprofit, was recently valued at $500 billion following a private stock sale worth $6.6 billion.
Its growing portfolio now includes the Sora video-generation tool, a new social platform, and a commerce partnership with Stripe, consolidating its status as the world’s most valuable private company.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
OpenAI has acquired the personal investing startup Roi, which promises AI-driven insights, education, and guidance for individual investors. The Verge reports that the acquisition marks OpenAI’s official entry into the personal finance space.
Following the deal, Roi will shut down its service on October 15 and delete all user data. Its offerings included traditional investing options alongside crypto and NFTs. The company cited this transition in its announcement.
OpenAI did not publicly disclose the purchase price. With this move, OpenAI takes a step beyond content, tools and agents, toward embedding financial services into its AI ecosystem. It questions how AI platforms may offer personalised wealth management or advisory services someday.
The acquisition also draws regulatory, ethical and trust considerations. Mixing AI with finance means issues like explainability, bias, fiduciary responsibility, data privacy and risk management become immediately relevant. Whether users will embrace AI financial advice depends as much on trust and governance as algorithmic accuracy.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has urged companies to self-audit their AI systems to prevent anti-competitive practices and ensure responsible autonomy.
A call came as part of the CCI’s market study on AI, emphasising the risks of opacity and algorithmic collusion while highlighting AI’s potential to enhance innovation and productivity.
The study warned that dominant firms could exploit their control over data, infrastructure, and proprietary models to reinforce market power, creating barriers to entry. It also noted that opaque AI systems in user sectors may lead to tacit algorithmic coordination in pricing and strategy, undermining fair competition.
The regulatory approach of India, the CCI said, aims to balance technological progress with accountability through a co-regulatory framework that promotes both competition and innovation.
Additionally, the Commission plans to strengthen its technical capacity, establish a digital markets think tank and host a conference on AI and regulatory challenges.
A report recommended a six-step self-audit framework for enterprises, requiring evaluation of AI systems against competition risks, senior management oversight and clear accountability in high-risk deployments.
It also highlighted AI’s pro-competitive effects, particularly for MSMEs, which benefit from improved efficiency and greater access to digital markets.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Brazil is set to approve its first comprehensive Cybersecurity Legal Framework with Bill No. 4752/2025. The legislation creates a National Cybersecurity Authority and requires compliance for government procurement, with shared responsibility for supply chain security incidents.
The framework aims to unify the country’s fragmented cybersecurity policies. Government agencies will follow ANC standards, while companies delivering services to public entities must meet minimum cybersecurity requirements.
The ANC will also publish lists of compliant suppliers, providing a form of certification that could enhance trust in both public and private partnerships.
Supply chain oversight is a key element of the bill. Public bodies must assess supplier risks, and liability will be shared in the event of breaches.
The law encourages investment in national cybersecurity technologies and offers opportunities for companies to access financing and participate in the National Cybersecurity Program.
Approval would make Brazil one of the first Latin American countries with a robust federal cybersecurity law. The framework aims to strengthen protections, encourage innovation, and boost confidence for citizens, businesses, and international partners.
Companies that prepare now will gain a competitive advantage when the law comes into effect.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
AMD and OpenAI have announced a strategic partnership to deploy up to six gigawatts of AMD GPUs, marking one of the largest AI compute collaborations.
The multi-year agreement will begin with the rollout of one gigawatt of AMD Instinct MI450 GPUs in the second half of 2026, with further deployments planned across future AMD generations.
A deal that deepens a long-standing relationship between the two companies began with AMD’s MI300X and MI350X series.
OpenAI will adopt AMD as a core strategic compute partner, integrating its technology into large-scale AI systems and jointly optimising product roadmaps to support next-generation AI workloads.
To strengthen alignment, AMD has issued OpenAI a warrant for up to 160 million shares, with tranches vesting as the partnership achieves deployment and share-price milestones. AMD expects the collaboration to deliver tens of billions in revenue and boost its non-GAAP earnings per share.
AMD CEO Dr Lisa Su called the deal ‘a true win-win’ for both companies, while OpenAI’s Sam Altman said the partnership will ‘accelerate progress and bring advanced AI benefits to everyone faster’.
The collaboration positions AMD as a leading hardware supplier in the race to build global-scale AI infrastructure.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Galaxy has launched GalaxyOne, a unified wealth management platform designed to help individuals grow and manage their investments seamlessly. The platform unites high-yield cash accounts, crypto, and equities, giving users greater control and convenience.
GalaxyOne offers FDIC-insured cash deposits with a 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and Galaxy Premium Yield accounts offering 8.00% APY for accredited investors. These rates are supported by Galaxy’s $1.1 billion institutional lending business, ensuring transparency and financial strength.
Users can reinvest earnings into Bitcoin or other cryptos, linking traditional finance with digital assets. The platform allows trading of US-listed equities, ETFs, and leading crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana- all within a single, precision-built interface.
Built on the foundation of Fierce, the mobile platform Galaxy acquired in 2024, GalaxyOne now expands to Android and web users. Galaxy plans to add business accounts, crypto staking, and new brokerage and lending products, expanding investment options.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Italy has become the first EU country to pass a national AI law, introducing detailed rules to govern the development and use of AI technologies across key sectors such as health, work, and justice.
The law, approved by the Senate on 17 September and in effect on 10 October, defines new national authorities responsible for oversight, including the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency. Both bodies will supervise compliance, security, and responsible use of AI systems.
In healthcare, the law simplifies data-sharing for scientific research by allowing the secondary use of anonymised or pseudonymised patient data. New rules also ensure transparency and consent when AI is used by minors under 14.
The law introduces criminal penalties for those who use AI-generated images or videos to cause harm or deception. The Italian approach combines regulation with innovation, seeking to protect citizens while promoting responsible growth in AI development.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Discord has disclosed a security incident after a third-party customer service provider was compromised. The breach exposed personal data from users who contacted Discord’s support and Trust & Safety teams.
An unauthorised party accessed the provider’s ticketing system and targeted user data in an extortion attempt. Discord revoked access, launched an investigation with forensic experts, and notified law enforcement. Impacted users will be contacted via official email.
Compromised information may include usernames, contact details, partial billing data, IP addresses, customer service messages, and limited government-ID images. Passwords, authentication data, and full credit card numbers were not affected.
Discord has notified data protection authorities and strengthened security controls for third-party providers. It has also reviewed threat detection systems to prevent similar incidents.
The company urges affected users to remain vigilant against suspicious messages. Service agents are available to answer questions and provide additional support.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Samsung Electronics has expanded its partnership with Coinbase to integrate cryptocurrency trading directly into Samsung Wallet for US Galaxy users. The update allows users to buy crypto within the app using Samsung Pay, further merging digital payments with investment management.
The collaboration also introduces a complimentary three-month Coinbase One subscription for Samsung Wallet users. The premium tier removes trading fees on select assets, increases staking rewards, and provides exclusive partner deals.
Samsung executives said the goal is to make everyday financial tools more seamless for millions of Galaxy users. The Wallet already stores IDs, memberships, and car keys, and now supports peer-to-peer transfers and instalment payments through partnered financial institutions.
Coinbase said the initiative leverages its trusted trading infrastructure and Samsung’s global reach to make crypto access more convenient. More than 75 million US Galaxy users are expected to benefit, with expansion to other markets planned in the near future.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!