US agencies have briefed senators on ‘Salt Typhoon,’ a Chinese cyber-espionage campaign allegedly targeting American telecommunications networks. Officials claim the hackers stole call metadata and other sensitive information, affecting at least eight US telecom firms and dozens of companies worldwide. The breaches have sparked bipartisan concern, with some senators pressing for stronger preventive measures and legislation.
Telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile acknowledged the incidents but downplayed the impact on customer data. Federal agencies, including the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, emphasised the challenge of fully removing hackers from networks, while incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr pledged to strengthen cybersecurity defences.
China has denied the allegations, calling them disinformation. Meanwhile, a Senate subcommittee hearing on December 11 will focus on the risks posed by such cyber threats and explore ways to protect US communications infrastructure.
A senior United States cybersecurity official has urged Americans to embrace encryption to safeguard their communications, citing ongoing efforts to expel alleged Chinese hackers from US telecom networks. Jeff Greene, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), emphasised the importance of avoiding plaintext communications and recommending encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp.
US authorities have accused hackers from China of infiltrating telecommunications companies, such as T-Mobile, to access sensitive data, including call records and intercepted audio, predominantly from Washington, DC. Beijing has denied the allegations, calling them disinformation. Greene acknowledged that removing the hackers entirely from the networks could take an unpredictable amount of time, further underscoring the need for encryption to ensure secure communications.
The advice marks a notable shift from previous US government positions that questioned strong encryption’s impact on public safety. As concerns over foreign cyber intrusions grow, Greene’s remarks highlight encryption as a critical tool for Americans facing prolonged cybersecurity threats.
Turkey‘s competition board has concluded its investigation into Meta Platforms regarding data-sharing practices between Threads and Instagram. The inquiry, launched last year over potential competition law violations, ended after Meta addressed concerns through commitments deemed satisfactory by the authority.
Meta pledged that Threads users in Turkey will be able to access the platform without needing an Instagram account, once Threads becomes available again. Additionally, the company assured that data from Threads accounts will not be merged with Instagram unless users explicitly choose to link their profiles.
In April, Meta temporarily suspended Threads in Turkey to comply with an interim order from regulators. The resolution paves the way for the app’s reinstatement while easing concerns over anti-competitive practices.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz has called for an investigation into whether European governments have improperly influenced US policies on AI. Cruz’s concerns stem from growing international collaborations on AI regulation, including treaties and partnerships initiated by the Biden administration.
Cruz criticised European regulations as overly restrictive, claiming they target American AI companies and could shape US policies unfairly. He also accused the Centre for the Governance of Artificial Intelligence (GovAI), a UK-based nonprofit, of political activities without registering as a foreign agent, though GovAI has denied any wrongdoing.
The European Union has taken a leading role in AI regulation, recently passing the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive law for governing technology. Cruz has framed these efforts as part of what he describes as ‘radical left’ interference, urging transparency about foreign involvement in shaping US AI laws.
Meta has announced plans to harness nuclear energy to meet rising power demands and environmental goals. The company is soliciting proposals for up to 4 gigawatts of US nuclear generation capacity, with projects set to commence in the early 2030s. By doing so, it aims to support the energy-intensive requirements of AI and data centre operations.
Nuclear energy, according to Meta, offers a cleaner, more reliable solution for diversifying the energy grid. Power usage by US data centres is projected to triple by 2030, necessitating about 47 gigawatts of new capacity. However, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, uranium supply issues, and community resistance may slow progress.
The tech giant is open to both small modular reactors and traditional large-scale designs. Proposals are being accepted until February 2025, with a focus on developers skilled in community engagement and navigating complex permitting processes. An official statement highlighted nuclear’s capital-intensive nature, which demands a thorough request-for-proposals process.
Interest in nuclear power among tech firms is growing. Earlier agreements by Microsoft and Amazon have set precedents for nuclear-powered data centres. Meta’s latest initiative underscores a broader shift towards innovative energy solutions within the industry.
The founder of Hydra, a notorious darknet marketplace and crypto mixing service has been sentenced to life in prison by a Russian court. Stanislav Moiseev and 15 accomplices were convicted of running a criminal network that handled over $5 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, while also producing and selling illegal drugs and psychotropic substances. Moiseev was also fined $38,100, with additional fines imposed on his accomplices.
Hydra, which was dismantled in 2022 by German authorities, accounted for 80% of all darknet-related cryptocurrency transactions at its peak. It sold stolen credit card data, counterfeit currencies, and fake identity documents. Despite its shutdown, Hydra’s criminal operations left a significant mark, with its user base reportedly including 17 million customers and 19,000 vendors.
The sentences include prison terms ranging from eight to 23 years for Moiseev’s accomplices, alongside the seizure of properties, vehicles, and nearly a ton of drugs. Russian officials have been investigating Hydra since 2016, but the convictions are subject to appeal.
Data brokers Mobilewalla and Gravy Analytics have agreed to stop using sensitive location data following a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The agreement addresses concerns about tracking individuals’ religious beliefs, political leanings, and pregnancy status through mobile device data.
The settlement represents the first instance of banning the collection of location data through online advertising auctions. The FTC accused the companies of unfair practices, stating that Mobilewalla gathered information without consent from ad auction platforms. Such platforms allow advertisers to bid on specific audiences but inadvertently exposed consumers to privacy risks.
Gravy Analytics, owned by Unacast, sold location data to government contractors, prompting constitutional concerns from FTC commissioners. Mobilewalla disputed the allegations but stated the agreement allows it to continue offering insights while respecting privacy. Both companies committed to halting sensitive data usage and introducing opt-out options for consumers.
FTC Chair Lina Khan highlighted the broader risks of targeted advertising, warning that Americans’ sensitive data is at risk of misuse. The settlement is part of the Biden administration’s effort to regulate data brokers and strengthen privacy protections, as outlined by proposed rules from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Safe, the multsignature wallet and digital assets platform, has announced plans to launch a blockchain transaction processor network in 2025. Named Safenet, the network aims to provide instant cross-chain payments, eliminating the delays often experienced during blockchain transactions. Inspired by VisaNet, the network will act as a connecting layer for existing blockchains, allowing users to interact with multiple networks through a single account.
Safenet, which will be powered by processors, is designed to offer a seamless experience similar to traditional payment networks, where transactions are processed instantly. The system will also integrate fraud checks, compliance measures, and security protocols to ensure safe transactions. Initially, Safenet will support cross-chain accounts and liquidity functions, with plans to expand its services in the future.
The open system of Safenet allows more processors to join, offering additional services like security, compliance, and automation. Validators will earn rewards by validating transactions and staking in the ecosystem. Schor also mentioned that the platform could offer users the ability to access assets with partial collateral, similar to how traditional banks manage mortgages.
The Safenet network is expected to go live in 2025, with an alpha version set for the first quarter. A validator network is planned for the second quarter, and the full protocol will be launched later in the year, bringing new opportunities to the crypto space.
Australia‘s competition watchdog has called for a review of efforts to ensure more choice for internet users, citing Google’s dominance in the search engine market and the failure of its competitors to capitalise on the rise of AI. A report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted concerns about the growing influence of Big Tech, particularly Google and Microsoft, as they integrate generative AI into their search services. This raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated search results.
While the use of AI in search engines is still in its early stages, the ACCC warns that large tech companies’ financial strength and market presence give them a significant advantage. The commission expressed concerns that AI-driven search could lead to misinformation, as consumers may find AI-generated responses both more useful and less accurate. In response to this, Australia is pushing for new regulations, including laws to prevent anti-competitive behaviour and improve consumer choice.
The Australian government has already introduced several measures targeting tech giants, such as requiring social media platforms to pay for news content and restricting access for children under 16. A proposed new law could impose hefty fines on companies that suppress competition. The ACCC has called for service-specific codes to address data advantages and ensure consumers have more freedom to switch between services. The inquiry is expected to close by March next year.
The SEC has settled allegations against ICBC Financial Services, a US-based unit of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, following a ransomware attack in November 2023.
The attack disrupted the company’s operations, including its ability to maintain accurate records and notify customers of securities-related transactions for nearly four months.
Regulators cited the firm’s lack of preparation for a significant cybersecurity incident as a factor leading to the breach. Despite this, the SEC refrained from imposing a civil fine, crediting the company’s meaningful cooperation and extensive remedial efforts in addressing the situation.
ICBC Financial Services neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing in the settlement. The agreement highlights the SEC’s focus on ensuring firms take proactive steps to strengthen their cybersecurity defences.
