Network security

Estonia leads the charge in defence tech investment

Estonia, a small Baltic nation with a population of 1.4 million, has emerged as a leader in the rush to fund defence projects in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. With heightened security concerns in the region, particularly among the Baltic states that share a border with Russia, Estonia has leveraged its thriving tech sector to fuel investment in defence technologies. The war has created an urgent need for innovation, prompting tech entrepreneurs such as Sten Tamkivi, a former Skype executive, to direct investment towards defence, European sovereignty, and security solutions.

Estonia’s role in supporting emerging defence companies is made possible by the country’s strong network of tech unicorns and wealthy entrepreneurs. With companies like Skype, TransferWise, and Bolt originating from Estonia, local tech executives have the financial resources to invest in critical military technologies. Moreover, Estonia’s proximity to Ukraine allows for rapid collaboration on the frontlines, testing new technologies such as AI-driven defence tools and drones. This has positioned the country as a central player in Europe’s defence tech landscape, with the number of defence-focused funding rounds in Eastern Europe growing sharply since the war began.

Across Central and Eastern Europe, the growing interest in defence tech is evident, with funds like Presto Ventures in Prague also tapping into the sector. The Czech Republic has launched initiatives to support small enterprises in defence, while Estonia has introduced a 100 million euro fund to support the development of its own defence tech ecosystem. Estonia’s longer-term goal is to reach 2 billion euros in defence tech revenue by 2030, focusing on disruptive, offensive technologies.

The region’s defence tech startups are benefiting from a shift in investor sentiment, with venture capital pouring into areas like AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Despite initial doubts about the sector’s growth, the continuing conflict in Ukraine has ensured that defence technology remains a critical priority.

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New Microsoft’s quantum chip sparks fresh debate over Bitcoin’s security

According to Bitcoin exchange River, Microsoft’s latest quantum computing chip, Majorana 1, could accelerate the timeline for making Bitcoin resistant to quantum threats. While the risk of a quantum attack remains distant, experts warn that preparations must begin now. The chip, launched on 19 February, is part of a growing race in quantum technology, with Google’s Willow chip also making headlines in December.

River suggests that if quantum computers reach one million qubits by 2027-2029, they could crack Bitcoin addresses in long-range attacks. Though some argue such a scenario is still decades away, River insists early action is key. The potential threat has reignited discussions on BIP-360, a proposed upgrade to strengthen Bitcoin’s defences against future quantum advancements.

Critics remain sceptical, arguing that quantum computing is still in its infancy, with major technical challenges to overcome. Some believe traditional banking systems, which hold far greater assets than Bitcoin, would be targeted first. Others see quantum developments as an opportunity, suggesting they could help fortify Bitcoin’s security rather than weaken it.

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Reddit experiences widespread downtime

Reddit users worldwide experienced disruptions on Thursday, with thousands reporting difficulties accessing the platform. According to NetBlocks, a global internet watchdog, the outage was not linked to any government-level restrictions. Reports on Downdetector spiked to around 56,000 at their peak, with many users taking to social media to express frustration.

Despite widespread complaints, Reddit’s official status page showed no recorded incidents, and the company has yet to provide an explanation. Some users reported that the platform worked fine for them, particularly those using older versions or alternative browsing methods.

By Thursday evening, reports of issues had significantly dropped, and services seemed to return to normal. While the outage was brief, it highlights the growing reliance on online platforms and the disruptions that even short technical failures can cause.

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Italy eyes local alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink

Italy is planning to develop its own low-orbit satellite system to secure government communications, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso announced the initiative, positioning it as a competitive alternative to global networks and a step towards greater national security.

The project will involve leading Italian companies, with the national space agency conducting a feasibility study to guide development.

The move comes after the government previously considered using Starlink for encrypted communications in high-risk zones. However, the idea sparked criticism from opposition figures who raised concerns about national security and questioned the wisdom of involving a foreign entrepreneur closely tied to US interests.

Though Musk expressed willingness to collaborate with Italy, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that no formal agreement had been made.

By building its own satellite network, Italy hopes to safeguard sensitive communications and strengthen its technological independence in the long term.

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Australian kids overlook social media age checks

A recent report by Australia’s eSafety regulator reveals that children in the country are finding it easy to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms. The findings come ahead of a government ban, set to take effect at the end of 2025, that will prevent children under the age of 16 from using these platforms. The report highlights data from a national survey on social media use among 8 to 15-year-olds and feedback from eight major services, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

The report shows that 80% of Australian children aged 8 to 12 were using social media in 2024, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular platforms. While most platforms, except Reddit, require users to enter their date of birth during sign-up, the report indicates that these systems rely on self-declaration, which can be easily manipulated. Despite these weaknesses, 95% of teens under 16 were found to be active on at least one of the platforms surveyed.

While some platforms, such as TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube, have introduced tools to proactively detect underage users, others have not fully implemented age verification technologies. YouTube remains exempt from the upcoming ban, allowing children under 13 to use the platform with parental supervision. However, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stressed that there is still significant work needed to enforce the government’s minimum age legislation effectively.

The report also noted that most of the services surveyed had conducted research to improve their age verification processes. However, as the law approaches, there are increasing calls for app stores to take greater responsibility for enforcing age restrictions.

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Trump discusses TikTok sale with China

President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he was in active discussions with China over the future of TikTok, as the US seeks to broker a sale of the popular app. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that talks were ongoing, underscoring the US government’s desire to address national security concerns tied to the app’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over TikTok’s data security practices and potential links to the Chinese government.

The Trump administration has expressed concerns that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive data on US users, raising fears about national security risks. As a result, the US has been pushing for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to an American company. This would be part of an effort to reduce any potential influence from the Chinese government over the app’s data and operations. However, the process has faced complexities, with discussions involving multiple stakeholders, including potential buyers.

While the negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. If a sale is not agreed upon, the US has indicated that it could pursue further actions, including a potential ban of the app. As these talks unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for TikTok’s millions of American users and its business operations in the US, with both sides working to find a solution that addresses the security concerns while allowing the app to continue its success.

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Two charged after pensioner loses over £100,000 in cryptocurrency fraud

Two men have been charged in connection with a cryptocurrency fraud that saw a 75-year-old man from Aberdeenshire lose more than £100,000. The case, reported to police in July, led to an extensive investigation by officers from the north east division CID.

Following inquiries, officers travelled to Coventry and Mexborough on Tuesday, working alongside colleagues from West Midlands Police and South Yorkshire Police.

The coordinated operation resulted in the arrests of two men, aged 36 and 54, who have now been charged in relation to the fraud allegations.

Police have not yet disclosed details of how the scam was carried out, but cryptocurrency frauds often involve fake investment schemes, phishing scams, or fraudulent trading platforms that lure victims into handing over money with promises of high returns.

Many scams also exploit a lack of regulation in the digital currency sector, making it difficult for victims to recover lost funds.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activity, particularly scams involving cryptocurrencies.

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Judge allows Musk’s DOGE to keep accessing government data

A US federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from seven federal agencies or making further workforce cuts. The lawsuit, brought by 14 Democratic attorneys general, argued that DOGE was overstepping its authority by reshaping agencies and obtaining vast amounts of government information. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove immediate harm, allowing DOGE to continue operations.

Despite this decision, the judge acknowledged serious constitutional concerns regarding Musk’s authority. She noted that Musk had not been nominated by the US President Trump or confirmed by the Senate, raising potential violations of the Appointments Clause. In her ruling, Chutkan also criticised the Trump administration’s legal arguments, suggesting inconsistencies in its justification for DOGE’s powers.

While the restraining order was denied, the states can still pursue their case, potentially seeking a preliminary injunction to halt DOGE’s access to federal data. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez vowed to continue the legal fight, accusing Musk of destabilising government functions and acting without proper oversight. The battle over DOGE’s legitimacy is expected to intensify in the coming months.

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Young people rely on social media for political news

A growing number of young Europeans are turning to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as their primary news source, surpassing traditional outlets such as TV and print media. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of people aged 16 to 30 rely on social media for news about politics and social issues. This shift highlights changing preferences toward fast-paced, accessible content but also raises concerns about the growing risk of disinformation among younger generations.

Younger users, especially those aged 16 to 18, are more likely to trust platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while those aged 25 to 30 tend to rely more on Facebook, online press, and radio for their news. However, the rise of social media as a news source has also led to increased exposure to fake news. A report from the Reuters Institute revealed that 27% of TikTok users struggle to identify misleading content, while Instagram has faced criticism for relaxing its fact-checking systems.

Despite being aware of the risks, young Europeans continue to engage with social media for news. A significant 76% of respondents reported encountering fake news in the past week, yet platforms like Instagram remain the most popular news sources. This trend is impacting trust in political institutions, with many young people expressing scepticism toward the EU and skipping elections due to a lack of information.

The reliance on social media for news has shifted political discourse, as fake news and AI-generated content have been used to manipulate public opinion. The constant exposure to sensationalised false information is also having psychological effects, increasing anxiety and confusion among young people and pushing some to avoid news altogether.

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Google faces backlash from privacy advocates over new tracking rules

Google has introduced changes to its online tracking policies, allowing fingerprinting, a technique that collects data such as IP addresses and device information to help advertisers identify users. The new rules mark a shift in Google’s approach to online tracking.

Google states that these data signals are already widely used across the industry and that its goal is to balance privacy with the needs of businesses and advertisers. The company previously restricted fingerprinting for ad targeting but now argues that evolving internet usage—such as browsing from smart TVs and gaming consoles—has made conventional tracking methods, like cookies, less effective. The company also emphasises that users continue to have choices regarding personalised ads and that it encourages responsible data use across the industry.

Critics argue that fingerprinting is harder for users to control compared to cookies, as it does not rely on locally stored files but rather collects real-time data about a user’s device and network. Some privacy advocates believe this change marks a shift toward tracking methods that provide users with fewer options to opt out.

Martin Thomson, an engineer at Mozilla, noted that by allowing fingerprinting, Google has given itself—and the advertising industry it dominates—permission to use a form of tracking that people can’t do much to stop. Lena Cohen, staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, expressed similar concerns, stating that fingerprinting could make user data more accessible to advertisers, data brokers, and law enforcement.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has raised concerns over fingerprinting, stating that it could reduce users’ ability to control how their information is collected. In a December blog post, Stephen Almond, the ICO’s Executive Director of Regulatory Risk, wrote that this change irresponsible, and that advertisers and businesses using this technology will need to demonstrate compliance with privacy and data laws.

Google responded that it welcomes further discussions with regulators and highlighted that IP addresses have long been used across the industry for fraud prevention and security.

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