Taiwan’s government faces significant funding challenges for its semiconductor, AI, and aerospace sectors. The science ministry has warned that economic and technology spending could be cut by T$20 billion (£486 million) next year, a move linked to recent legislation passed by opposition parties. The legislation redirects central government funds to local municipalities, drawing criticism from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and protestors.
Economic partnerships with tech giants such as Micron, AMD, and Nvidia are also at risk. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs highlighted concerns about future budgets potentially undermining international collaborations in AI and other advanced technologies. Micron, the island’s largest foreign investor, along with AMD and Nvidia, relies on partial government funding for joint projects.
Projected cuts include a reduction of T$29.7 billion in overall economic ministry spending, with T$11.6 billion specifically targeting technology initiatives. Observers note that the financial constraints could weaken Taiwan’s position in global technology innovation.
Government officials and industry leaders are urging a re-evaluation of spending priorities to safeguard Taiwan’s leadership in key technology sectors.
Smart home cameras have become a staple for security-conscious households, offering peace of mind by monitoring both indoor and outdoor spaces. However, new research by Surfshark exposes alarming privacy concerns, showing that these devices collect far more user data than necessary. Outdoor security camera apps top the list, gathering an average of 12 data points, including sensitive information such as precise location, email addresses, and payment details which is 50% more than other smart devices.
Indoor camera apps are slightly less invasive but still problematic, collecting an average of nine data points, including audio data and purchase histories. Some apps, like those from Arlo, Deep Sentinel, and D-Link, even extract contact information unnecessarily, raising serious questions about user consent and safety. The absence of robust privacy regulations leaves users vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and misuse of personal information.
Experts recommend limiting data-sharing permissions, using strong passwords, and regularly updating privacy settings to mitigate risks. Options such as enabling local storage instead of cloud services and employing a VPN can further protect against data leaks. While smart cameras bring convenience, they highlight the urgent need for clearer regulations to safeguard consumer privacy in the era of connected technology.
In the rapidly expanding online world, teenagers are becoming prime targets for scammers. Over a recent five-year period, financial losses reported by teens increased by an alarming 2,500%, outpacing the 805% rise among seniors. Experts attribute this to scammers exploiting the tech-savviness of younger users while capitalising on their lack of experience.
Scammers use various tactics, including impersonating online influencers, romance schemes, and phishing for sensitive information through gaming platforms. One growing threat involves sextortion, where victims are coerced into sharing explicit images that are later used to demand money under the threat of public exposure. Tragically, such incidents have already led to devastating consequences, including teen suicides.
Parents are urged to foster open communication with their children about these risks, creating a safe space for them to share any unsettling online encounters. Basic steps like monitoring app usage, staying connected on social media, and setting clear tech boundaries can go a long way in shielding teens from these dangers. The key, experts stress, is building trust and ensuring children know they have unwavering support, no matter the situation.
Apple has introduced an ‘Enhanced Visual Search’ feature in iOS 18, allowing users to identify landmarks in photos by matching data with a global database. While convenient, the feature has sparked privacy concerns, as it is enabled by default, requiring users to manually turn it off in settings if they prefer not to share photo data with Apple.
The feature uses on-device machine learning to detect landmarks in photos, creating encrypted ‘vector embeddings’ of image data. These are then sent to Apple for comparison with its database. While the company has reportedly implemented privacy safeguards, such as encrypting and condensing data into machine-readable formats, critics argue the feature should have been opt-in rather than opt-out, aligning with Apple’s usual privacy standards.
This toggle builds on Apple’s earlier ‘Visual Look Up’ tool, which identifies objects like plants or symbols without sending data to Apple’s servers. Privacy advocates suggest that Apple could have maintained this approach for Enhanced Visual Search, questioning why it requires shared data for similar functionality.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between technological convenience and user privacy, raising questions about how far companies should go in enabling features that require data sharing without explicit consent.
AT&T and Verizon have confirmed cyberattacks linked to a Chinese hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon,” but assured the public on Saturday that their US networks are now secure. Both companies acknowledged the breaches for the first time, stating they are cooperating with law enforcement and government agencies to address the threat. AT&T disclosed that the attackers targeted a small group of individuals tied to foreign intelligence, while Verizon emphasised that the activities have been contained following extensive remediation efforts.
The attacks, described by US officials as the most extensive telecommunications hack in the nation’s history, reportedly allowed Salt Typhoon operatives to access sensitive network systems, including the ability to geolocate individuals and record phone calls. Authorities have linked the breaches to several telecom firms, with a total of nine entities now confirmed as compromised. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has urged government officials to transition to encrypted communication methods.
US Senators, including Democrat Ben Ray Luján and Republican Ted Cruz, have expressed alarm over the breach’s scale, calling for stronger safeguards against future intrusions. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have denied the accusations, dismissing them as disinformation and reaffirming their opposition to cyberattacks. Despite assurances from the companies and independent cybersecurity experts, questions remain about how long it will take to fully restore public confidence in the nation’s telecommunications security.
Hackers are using fake job offers from well-known crypto firms to trick victims into installing malware that grants them access to devices and wallets. According to blockchain expert Taylor Monahan, these scams begin with the hackers posing as recruiters offering high-paying roles, with salaries ranging from $200,000 to $350,000. Instead of sharing documents or software, victims are led through a series of steps to “fix” technical issues with their microphone and camera, which results in malware installation.
Monahan explained that the scam unfolds during lengthy interviews where the final step involves the victim being instructed to resolve an access issue. Following the given instructions prompts a fake browser update that compromises their system. The malware can provide attackers with backdoor access to steal crypto funds or cause other damage, and it works across Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms.
These fake recruiters approach victims on LinkedIn, freelancer platforms, and chat apps like Discord and Telegram, advertising roles at major crypto firms like Gemini and Kraken. Monahan advised those who suspect exposure to the malware to wipe their devices and urged everyone in the crypto space to remain vigilant against such tactics.
Goodman Group has emerged as a standout performer in Australia’s real estate sector this year, with its stock soaring 45.8%, marking its strongest run since 2006. The surge is driven by a boom in AI, which has sparked frenzied demand for data centres. Global tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have poured billions into expanding their data centre capacity, fueling growth for developers like Goodman.
At the end of September, 42% of Goodman’s A$12.8 billion ($7.96 billion) development portfolio was dedicated to data centres, a jump from 37% last year. Analysts like John Lockton of Sandstone Insights see this focus as a key strength, noting the company’s access to land with power supply, a critical factor for future data-centre projects.
Despite the optimism, some caution remains. Analysts warn that soaring valuations in the data-centre sector could cool investor enthusiasm. Goodman’s high stock prices and concerns over risks like obsolescence and increased competition raise questions about long-term returns. Nonetheless, with robust demand for AI infrastructure, Goodman’s pipeline and strategic positioning keep it well-poised for continued growth.
El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings have surpassed 6,000 BTC, now valued at over $561 million, according to the National Bitcoin Office. The country achieved this milestone on 29 December with the latest addition to its portfolio. Over the past month, El Salvador has acquired 53 BTC, worth nearly $5 million, as part of its consistent accumulation strategy.
The government’s investments have proven highly profitable, with a 105% unrealised return based on an average purchase price of $45,465 per Bitcoin. El Salvador’s adoption of cryptocurrency began in September 2021 when it became the first nation to recognise Bitcoin as legal tender, despite initial pushback from institutions like the IMF.
President Nayib Bukele’s administration has continued to expand its Bitcoin portfolio through daily purchases. This approach has positioned El Salvador as the sixth-largest Bitcoin holder globally, joining the ranks of major powers like the US and China. With the cryptocurrency market showing signs of recovery, El Salvador’s Bitcoin investments are playing a significant role in boosting the nation’s financial profile.
Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, has partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to introduce direct-to-cell satellite connectivity, marking a major technological advancement for the war-torn nation. Kyivstar’s parent company, VEON, announced that messaging services will be available by late 2025, with voice and data services to follow in later stages.
Direct-to-cell technology connects satellites to smartphones, functioning like space-based cell towers. Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, launched its first satellites equipped with this capability earlier this year and has struck similar deals in the US, Japan, and New Zealand. Ukraine will be one of the first countries to adopt this innovation and the first active conflict zone to benefit from it.
The deal highlights Starlink’s continued support for Ukraine, despite ongoing Russian attempts to jam signals between the satellites and ground terminals. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the move solidifies Starlink’s role in providing essential connectivity to Ukraine amid geopolitical tensions.
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has raised doubts about the US adopting a Bitcoin reserve under Donald Trump’s potential presidency. While Trump has promised to establish a national Bitcoin reserve to appeal to cryptocurrency supporters, Young Ju suggests the US would only consider such a move if its global economic dominance were seriously threatened. Currently, the US dollar maintains a stronghold in international trade and reserves, with 58% of global trade transactions conducted in dollars.
Bitcoin’s value recently soared to an all-time high of over $108,300, coinciding with post-election optimism. However, Trump’s newfound support for Bitcoin is seen by some as a strategic campaign move rather than a genuine commitment. During his previous term, Trump was sceptical of Bitcoin’s role in the financial system, and analysts suggest his stance could shift again depending on broader political and economic factors.
The US already leads global Bitcoin mining, producing nearly 38% of the world’s hash rate, and continues to be a stable safe haven for investors. Young Ju remains uncertain whether Trump’s advocacy for a Bitcoin reserve signals a move towards a ‘Bitcoin Standard’ or merely reflects calculated rhetoric to win votes. As geopolitical and economic shifts unfold, the future of US cryptocurrency policy under Trump remains unclear.
