Jurisdiction

Indian police probe Starlink in maritime drug bust

Indian police are investigating how a Starlink satellite internet device was used in a massive drug smuggling operation. Officers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands seized over 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth an estimated $4.25 billion, from a Myanmar vessel last week. Six Myanmar nationals were detained in what has become the largest drug bust in the region’s history.

Authorities revealed the smugglers relied on a Starlink device to navigate the deep seas and evade detection. Starlink, which provides internet coverage in international waters, has yet to formally launch in India, pending government approvals. Investigators aim to trace the device’s purchase and usage history to uncover potential links to smuggling networks.

Meth trafficking via maritime routes has surged across Asia, with record seizures reported in 2023. Police in India are now probing connections to both local and international criminal syndicates in this case.

Canada sues Google over alleged online advertising monopoly

Canada’s Competition Bureau has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in online advertising. The bureau seeks an order for Google to divest two ad tech tools and pay a penalty to ensure compliance with competition laws.

The investigation, launched in 2020, found that Google controls key aspects of the ad tech stack in Canada and allegedly employed tactics to entrench its market power. Google disputes the claims, arguing that the online ad market remains competitive.

The case mirrors global scrutiny of Google’s advertising practices, including a similar lawsuit in the United States and ongoing EU investigations. Google’s earlier offer to sell an ad exchange failed to satisfy European publishers.

Chinese industry groups urge ditching US chips, claiming they are ‘no longer safe’

Trade tensions between the USA and China are escalating in the semiconductor sector, as four of the top Chinese industry associations warned against purchasing US chips, claiming they are ‘no longer safe’ and they threaten national security principles. The response follows the latest US crackdown, restricting exports to 140 Chinese companies, including prominent chip equipment makers like Naura Technology Group.

The industry bodies’ warnings suggest that Chinese companies should turn to local suppliers, which could impact US giants such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, who have sold in China despite export restrictions.

However, the US semiconductor trade group dismissed these concerns, arguing that US chips remain safe and reliable. It called for more targeted export controls aimed at national security rather than broad, punitive measures.

Despite these assurances, the Chinese associations, which represent major industries from telecommunications to the digital economy, opted for a considerable change of course in the mindset of Chinese businesses. They are now advised to consider non-US suppliers to safeguard their operations and reduce reliance on US technology.

China has also imposed restrictions, notably a ban on exports of critical rare minerals used in military applications, solar cells, and fibre optic cables. The measure is seen as Beijing’s attempt to exert leverage and retaliate against the US actions, showing a more aggressive stance in this tech export war. Experts suggest that while the warnings from Chinese associations may be largely advisory, the new mineral export bans are a far more significant measure that could have a lasting impact on the global supply chain.

The recent crackdown and the retaliatory moves have also raised alarms in Washington, with the US National Security Council vowing to take necessary steps to deter further ‘coercive actions’ from China. The US is also working on diversifying its supply chains away from China, particularly in the semiconductor sector, where China’s growing self-reliance is seen as a challenge to American dominance.

Apple sued over worker monitoring claims

A new lawsuit accuses Apple of illegally surveilling employees’ personal devices and iCloud accounts while restricting discussions about pay and workplace conditions. Filed in California by Amar Bhakta, a digital advertising employee, the suit claims Apple mandates software installations on personal devices used for work, enabling access to private data such as emails, photos, and health information. The lawsuit also alleges Apple enforces confidentiality policies that hinder whistleblowing and discussions about working conditions.

Bhakta asserts he was instructed to avoid discussing his work on podcasts and remove job-related details from LinkedIn. The complaint argues these practices suppress employee rights, including whistleblowing and job market mobility. Apple denies the claims, stating they lack merit and emphasising its commitment to employee training on workplace rights.

This case joins other legal challenges faced by Apple, including allegations of underpaying female employees and discouraging discussions about workplace bias and pay disparity. Filed under a California law allowing workers to sue on behalf of the state, the lawsuit could lead to penalties, with a portion allocated to employees bringing the claims.

Interpol and South Korea lead operation, arresting over 5,500 cybercrime suspects

A coordinated global effort involving law enforcement from 40 countries has resulted in over 5,500 arrests and the seizure of more than $400 million in virtual and fiat currencies during Operation HAECHI V (July–November 2024).

The operation, led by INTERPOL and financially supported by South Korea, targeted seven major types of cyber-enabled fraud, including voice phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, and business email compromise schemes.

In one significant success, Korean and Chinese authorities dismantled a voice phishing network that defrauded over 1,900 victims of 1,511 billion KRW ($1.1 billion). The syndicate, which impersonated law enforcement and used fake IDs, saw 27 members arrested, with 19 facing formal charges.

INTERPOL issued a Purple Notice during the operation to warn member countries of a new cryptocurrency scam targeting stablecoin users. Known as the USDT Token Approval Scam, fraudsters lured victims with romance-based schemes, directing them to buy Tether stablecoins through legitimate platforms. Victims were then tricked into granting scammers full access to their cryptocurrency wallets through phishing links, allowing unauthorized fund transfers.

Operation HAECHI V also achieved record-breaking results, solving 8,309 cases—nearly double those from the previous year—and blocking 1,023 virtual asset service provider (VASP) accounts, a threefold increase from 2023.

HAECHI V participating countries, territories and regions: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands (UK), China, France, Ghana, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Liechtenstein, Macao (China), Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam.

Russia arrests ransomware affiliate and alleged member of multiple hacking groups

Russian authorities have arrested and indicted Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, a suspected ransomware affiliate accused of developing malware and collaborating with multiple hacking groups.

While the prosecutor’s office has not disclosed the suspect’s identity, court documents describe him as a ‘programmer.’ According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, sufficient evidence has been gathered, and the case has been referred to the Central District Court of Kaliningrad. Matveev is accused of creating ‘specialised malicious software’ designed to encrypt data from commercial organisations, demanding ransoms for decryption.

Matveev’s alleged criminal history extends beyond Russia. In May 2023, the US Department of Justice charged him for his involvement with the Hive and LockBit ransomware operations, which targeted victims across the United States. He is also suspected of playing a foundational role in the Babuk ransomware group and operating as ‘Orange,’ the creator of the Ramp hacking forum.

Meta to face $582 million trial in Spain

Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to face trial in Spain in October 2025 over a €551 million ($582 million) lawsuit filed by 87 media companies. The complaint, led by the AMI media association, accuses Meta of unfair competition in advertising through its alleged misuse of user data from 2018 to 2023.

The media companies argue that Meta’s extensive data collection provides it with an unfair advantage in crafting personalised ads, violating EU data protection regulations. Prominent Spanish publishers, including El Pais owner Prisa and ABC publisher Vocento, are among the plaintiffs. A separate €160 million lawsuit against Meta was also filed by Spanish broadcasters last month on similar grounds.

The lawsuits are part of a broader effort by traditional media to push back against tech giants, which they claim undermine their revenue and fail to pay fair fees for content use. In response to similar challenges in other countries, Meta has restricted news sharing on its platforms and reduced its focus on news and political content in user feeds.

Meta has not yet commented on the Spanish lawsuits, which highlight ongoing tensions between digital platforms and legacy media seeking to safeguard their economic interests.

EU ends tax aid probes into major companies

The European Commission announced the closure of its state aid investigations into tax rulings granted to Amazon, Fiat, and Starbucks by Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Initially, the Commission had ruled in 2015 and 2017 that these nations provided the companies with selective tax advantages that breached EU state aid rules. The allegations were part of broader efforts to address unfair tax practices within the European Union.

EU courts, however, annulled the Commission’s decisions in subsequent legal challenges, ruling that the tax arrangements did not constitute illegal state aid. As a result, the Commission concluded that the companies had not violated EU rules and formally ended the investigations.

The cases underscore the complexities of enforcing tax harmonisation across EU member states. Critics of the initial rulings argued that such cases reflect the challenges of balancing national tax sovereignty with EU-wide competition regulations. The closures may also influence future policies on corporate taxation in Europe.

FTC investigates Microsoft over antitrust concerns

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, examining its software licensing, cloud computing operations, and AI-related practices. Sources indicate the probe, approved by FTC Chair Lina Khan before her anticipated departure, also investigates claims of restrictive licensing aimed at limiting competition in cloud services.

Microsoft is the latest Big Tech firm under regulatory pressure. Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Amazon face similar lawsuits over alleged monopolistic practices in markets ranging from app stores to advertising. Penalties and court rulings loom as regulators focus on digital fairness.

The FTC’s probe highlights growing concerns about the influence of Big Tech on consumer choice and competition. As scrutiny intensifies, the outcomes could reshape the technology sector’s landscape, impacting businesses and consumers alike.

Australian social media ban sparked by politician’s wife’s call to action

Australia has passed a landmark law banning children under 16 from using social media, following a fast-moving push led by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. The law, which takes effect in November 2025, aims to protect young people from the harmful effects of social media, including mental health issues linked to cyberbullying and body image problems. The bill has widespread support, with a government survey showing 77% of Australians backing the measure. However, it has sparked significant opposition from tech companies and privacy advocates, who argue that the law is rushed and could push young users to more dangerous parts of the internet.

The push for the national ban gained momentum after Malinauskas’s state-level initiative to restrict social media access for children under 14 in September. This led to a broader federal response, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government introducing a nationwide version of the policy. The legislation eliminates parental discretion, meaning no child under 16 will be able to use social media without facing fines for platforms that fail to enforce the rules. This move contrasts with policies in countries like France and Florida, where minors can access social media with parental permission.

While the law has garnered support from most of Australia’s political leaders, it has faced strong criticism from social media companies like Meta and TikTok. These platforms warn that the law could drive teens to hidden corners of the internet and that the rushed process leaves many questions unanswered. Despite the backlash, the law passed with bipartisan support, and a trial of age-verification technology will begin in January to prepare for its full implementation.

The debate over the law highlights growing concerns worldwide about the impact of social media on young people. Although some critics argue that the law is an overreach, others believe it is a necessary step to protect children from online harm. With the law now in place, Australia has set a precedent that could inspire other countries grappling with similar issues.