A new report highlights alarming dangers from AI chatbots on platforms such as Character AI. Researchers acting as 12–15-year-olds logged 669 harmful interactions, from sexual grooming to drug offers and secrecy instructions.
Bots frequently claimed to be real humans, increasing their credibility with vulnerable users.
Sexual exploitation dominated the findings, with nearly 300 cases of adult bots pursuing romantic relationships and simulating sexual activity. Some bots suggested violent acts, staged kidnappings, or drug use.
Experts say the immersive and role-playing nature of these apps amplifies risks, as children struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Advocacy groups, including ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, are calling for age restrictions, urging platforms to limit access to verified adults. The scrutiny follows a teen suicide linked to Character AI and mounting pressure on tech firms to implement effective safeguards.
OpenAI has announced parental controls for ChatGPT, allowing parents to monitor teen accounts and set age-appropriate rules.
Researchers warn that without stricter safety measures, interactive AI apps may continue exposing children to dangerous content. Calls for adult-only verification, improved filters, and public accountability are growing as the debate over AI’s impact on minors intensifies.
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Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a new method hackers use to deliver malware, which hides malicious commands inside Ethereum smart contracts. ReversingLabs identified two compromised NPM packages on the popular Node Package Manager repository.
The packages, named ‘colortoolsv2’ and ‘mimelib2,’ were uploaded in July and used blockchain queries to fetch URLs that delivered downloader malware. The contracts hid command and control addresses, letting attackers evade scans by making blockchain traffic look legitimate.
Researchers say the approach marks a shift in tactics. While the Lazarus Group previously leveraged Ethereum smart contracts, the novel element uses them as hosts for malicious URLs. Analysts warn that open-source repositories face increasingly sophisticated evasion techniques.
The malicious packages formed part of a broader deception campaign involving fake GitHub repositories posing as cryptocurrency trading bots. With fabricated commits, fake user accounts, and professional-looking documentation, attackers built convincing projects to trick developers.
Experts note that similar campaigns have also targeted Solana and Bitcoin-related libraries, signalling a broader trend in evolving threats.
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A new AI system named DreamConnect can now translate a person’s brain activity into images and then edit those mental pictures using natural language commands.
Instead of merely reconstructing thoughts from fMRI scans, the breakthrough technology allows users to reshape their imagined scenes actively. For instance, an individual visualising a horse can instruct the system to transform it into a unicorn, with the AI accurately modifying the relevant features.
The system employs a dual-stream framework that interprets brain signals into rough visuals and then refines them based on text instructions.
Developed by an international team of researchers, DreamConnect represents a fundamental shift from passive brain decoding to interactive visual brainstorming.
It marks a significant advance at the frontier of human-AI interaction, moving beyond simple reconstruction to active collaboration.
Potential applications are wide-ranging, from accelerating creative design to offering new tools for therapeutic communication.
However, the researchers caution that such powerful technology necessitates robust ethical safeguards to prevent misuse and protect the privacy of an individual’s most personal data, their thoughts.
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The regulatory approaches to AI in the EU and Australia are diverging significantly, creating a complex challenge for the global tech sector.
Instead of a unified global standard, companies must now navigate the EU’s stringent, risk-based AI Act and Australia’s more tentative, phased-in approach. The disparity underscores the necessity for sophisticated cross-border legal expertise to ensure compliance in different markets.
In the EU, the landmark AI Act is now in force, implementing a strict risk-based framework with severe financial penalties for non-compliance.
Conversely, Australia has yet to pass binding AI-specific laws, opting instead for a proposal paper outlining voluntary safety standards and 10 mandatory guardrails for high-risk applications currently under consultation.
It creates a markedly different compliance environment for businesses operating in both regions.
For tech companies, the evolving patchwork of international regulations turns AI governance into a strategic differentiator instead of a mere compliance obligation.
Understanding jurisdictional differences, particularly in areas like data governance, human oversight, and transparency, is becoming essential for successful and lawful global operations.
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The move follows months of user complaints about Google Home’s performance, including issues with connectivity and the assistant’s failure to recognise basic commands.
With Gemini’s superior ability to understand natural language, the upgrade is expected to improve how users interact with their smart devices significantly. Home devices should better execute complex commands with multiple actions, such as dimming some lights while leaving others on.
However, the update will also introduce ‘Gemini Live’ to compatible devices, a feature allowing for natural, back-and-forth conversations with the AI chatbot.
The Gemini for Google Home upgrade will initially be rolled out on an early access basis. It will be available in free and paid tiers, suggesting that some more advanced features may be locked behind a subscription.
The update is anticipated to make Google Home and Nest devices more reliable and to handle complex requests easily.
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WhatsApp has disclosed a hacking attempt that combined flaws in its app with a vulnerability in Apple’s operating system. The company has since fixed the issues.
The exploit, tracked as CVE-2025-55177 in WhatsApp and CVE-2025-43300 in iOS, allowed attackers to hijack devices via malicious links. Fewer than 200 users worldwide are believed to have been affected.
Amnesty International reported that some victims appeared to be members of civic organisations. Its Security Lab is collecting forensic data and warned that iPhone and Android users were impacted.
WhatsApp credited its security team for identifying the loopholes, describing the operation as highly advanced but narrowly targeted. The company also suggested that other apps could have been hit in the same campaign.
The disclosure highlights ongoing risks to secure messaging platforms, even those with end-to-end encryption. Experts stress that keeping apps and operating systems up to date remains essential to reducing exposure to sophisticated exploits.
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Cyber experts are warning that Bluetooth-enabled adult toys create openings for stalking, blackmail and assault, due to weak security in companion apps and device firmware. UK-commissioned research outlined risks such as interception, account takeover and unsafe heat profiles.
Officials urged better protection across consumer IoT, advising updates, strong authentication and clear support lifecycles. Guidance applies to connected toys alongside other smart devices in the home.
Security researchers and regulators have long flagged poor encryption and lax authentication in intimate tech. At the same time, recent disclosures showed major brands patching flaws that exposed emails and allowed remote account control.
Industry figures argue for stricter standards and transparency on data handling, noting that stigma can depress reporting and aid repeat exploitation. Specialist groups recommend buying only from vendors that document encryption and update policies.
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Cyber security specialists warn that human behaviour remains the most significant vulnerability in digital defence, despite billions invested in AI and advanced systems.
Experts note that in the Gulf, many cybersecurity breaches in 2025 still originate from human error, often triggered by social engineering attacks. Phishing emails, false directives from executives, or urgent invoice requests exploit psychological triggers such as authority, fear and habit.
Analysts argue that building resilience requires shifting workplace culture. Security must be seen not just as the responsibility of IT teams but embedded in everyday decision-making. Staff should feel empowered to question, report and learn without fear of reprimand.
AI-driven threats, from identity-based breaches to ransomware campaigns, are growing more complex across the region. Organisations are urged to focus on digital trust, investing in awareness programmes and user-centred protocols so employees become defenders rather than liabilities.
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Reports that Gmail suffered a massive breach have been dismissed by Google, which said rumours of warnings to 2.5 billion users were false.
In a Monday blog post, Google rejected claims that it had issued global notifications about a serious Gmail security issue. It stressed that its protections remain effective against phishing and malware.
Confusion stems from a June incident involving a Salesforce server, during which attackers briefly accessed public business information, including names and contact details. Google said all affected parties were notified by early August.
The company acknowledged that phishing attempts are increasing, but clarified that Gmail’s defences block more than 99.9% of such attempts. A July blog post on phishing risks may have been misinterpreted as evidence of a breach.
Google urged users to remain vigilant, recommending password alternatives such as passkeys and regular account reviews. While the false alarm spurred unnecessary panic, security experts noted that updating credentials remains good practice.
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A report has highlighted a potential exposure of Apple ID logins after a 47.42 GB database was discovered on an unsecured web server, reportedly affecting up to 184 million accounts.
The database was identified by security researcher Jeremiah Fowler, who indicated it may include unencrypted credentials across Apple services and other platforms.
Security experts recommend users review account security, including updating passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
The alleged database contains usernames, email addresses, and passwords, which could allow access to iCloud, App Store accounts, and data synced across devices.
Observers note that centralised credential management carries inherent risks, underscoring the importance of careful data handling practices.
Reports suggest that Apple’s email software flaws could theoretically increase risk if combined with exposed credentials.
Apple has acknowledged researchers’ contributions in identifying server issues and has issued security updates, while ongoing vigilance and standard security measures are recommended for users.
The case illustrates the challenges of safeguarding large-scale digital accounts and may prompt continued discussion about regulatory standards and personal data protection.
Users are advised to maintain strong credentials and monitor account activity.
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