Telecommunications infrastructure

Tech support scammers abuse search tools

Tech support scammers have exploited the websites of major firms such as Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix to trick users into calling them. Using sponsored ads and a technique known as search parameter injection, scammers have manipulated legitimate support pages to display fake helpline numbers.

Victims searching for 24/7 support are directed to genuine websites where misleading search results prominently show fraudulent numbers. According to researchers, the address bar shows the official URL, reducing suspicion and increasing the likelihood that users will call the scammers.

Once connected, the fraudsters pose as legitimate staff and attempt to steal sensitive information, including personal data, payment details or access to victims’ devices. Financial services sites like Bank of America and PayPal have also been targeted, with attackers aiming to drain accounts.

Experts warn that while some scams are easy to spot, others appear highly convincing, especially on sites like Apple’s and Netflix’s. Users are urged to verify contact details through official channels rather than relying on search results or ads.

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Salt Typhoon exploits critical Cisco flaw to breach Canadian network

Canadian and US authorities have attributed a cyberattack on a Canadian telecommunications provider to state-sponsored actors allegedly linked to China. The attack exploited a critical vulnerability that had been patched 16 months earlier.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the breach is attributed to a threat group known as Salt Typhoon, believed to be operating on behalf of the Chinese government.

‘The Cyber Centre is aware of malicious cyber activities currently targeting Canadian telecommunications companies,’ the CSE stated, adding that Salt Typhoon was ‘almost certainly’ responsible. The US FBI released a similar advisory.

Salt Typhoon is one of several threat actors associated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with a history of conducting cyber operations against telecommunications and infrastructure targets globally.

In late 2023, security researchers disclosed that over 10,000 Cisco devices had been compromised by exploiting CVE-2023-20198—a vulnerability rated 10/10 in severity.

The exploit targeted Cisco devices running iOS XE software with HTTP or HTTPS services enabled. Despite Cisco releasing a patch in October 2023, the vulnerability remained unaddressed in some systems.

In mid-February 2025, three network devices operated by an unnamed Canadian telecom company were compromised, with attackers retrieving configuration files and modifying at least one to create a GRE tunnel—allowing network traffic to be captured.

Cisco has also linked Salt Typhoon to a broader campaign using multiple patched vulnerabilities, including CVE-2018-0171, CVE-2023-20273, and CVE-2024-20399.

The Cyber Centre noted that the compromise could allow unauthorised access to internal network data or serve as a foothold to breach additional targets. Officials also stated that some activity may have been limited to reconnaissance.

While neither agency commented on why the affected devices had not been updated, the prolonged delay in patching such a high-severity flaw highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining basic cyber hygiene.

The authorities in Canada warned that similar espionage operations are likely to continue targeting the telecom sector and associated clients over the next two years.

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Google launches AI Mode Search in India

Google has launched its advanced AI Mode search experience in India, allowing users to explore information through more natural and complex interactions.

The feature, previously available as an experiment in the US, can now be enabled in English via Search Labs. Users test experimental tools on this platform and share feedback on early Google Search features.

Once activated, AI Mode introduces a new tab in the Search interface and Google app. It offers expanded reasoning capabilities powered by Gemini 2.5, enabling queries through text, voice, or images.

The shift supports deeper exploration by allowing follow-up questions and offering diverse web links, helping users understand topics from multiple viewpoints.

India plays a key role in this rollout due to its widespread visual and voice search use.

According to Hema Budaraju, Vice President of Product Management for Search, more users in India engage with Google Lens each month than anywhere else. AI Mode reflects Google’s broader goal of making information accessible across different formats.

Google also highlighted that over 1.5 billion people globally use AI Overviews monthly. These AI-generated summaries, which appear at the top of search results, have driven a 10% rise in user engagement for specific types of queries in both India and the US.

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Apple sued over alleged AI misrepresentation

Apple is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in a San Francisco federal court over claims it misled shareholders about its AI plans. The complaint accuses the company of exaggerating the readiness of AI upgrades for Siri, which reportedly harmed iPhone sales and stock value.

The case covers investors who lost money in the year ending 9 June, following Apple’s 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference announcements. Shareholders allege Apple presented the AI features as ready for the iPhone 16 despite having no working prototype or clear timeline.

Problems became clear in March when Apple admitted that some Siri upgrades would be postponed until 2026. The lawsuit names CEO Tim Cook, CFO Kevan Parekh, former CFO Luca Maestri, and Apple as defendants.

Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment. The case highlights growing investor concerns about AI promises made by major tech firms.

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China pushes quantum computing towards industrial use

A Chinese startup has used quantum computing to improve breast cancer screening accuracy, highlighting how the technology could transform medical diagnostics—based in Hefei, Origin Quantum applied its superconducting quantum processor to analyse medical images faster and more precisely.

China is accelerating efforts to turn quantum research into industrial applications, with companies focusing on areas such as drug discovery, smart cities and finance. Government backing and national policy have driven rapid growth in the sector, with over 150 firms now active in quantum computing.

In addition to medical uses, quantum algorithms are being tested in autonomous parking, which has dramatically cut wait times. Banks and telecom firms have also begun adopting quantum solutions to improve operational efficiency in areas like staff scheduling.

The merging of quantum computing with AI is seen as the next significant step, with Origin Quantum recently fine-tuning a billion-parameter AI model on its quantum system. Experts expect the integration of these technologies to shift from labs to practical use in the next five years.

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Apple considers buying Perplexity AI

Apple is reportedly considering the acquisition of Perplexity AI as it attempts to catch up in the fast-moving race for dominance in generative technology.

According to Bloomberg, the discussions involve senior executives, including Eddy Cue and merger head Adrian Perica, who remain at an early stage.

Such a move would significantly shift Apple, which typically avoids large-scale takeovers. However, with investor pressure mounting after an underwhelming developer conference, the tech giant may rethink its traditionally cautious acquisition strategy.

Perplexity has gained prominence for its fast, clear AI chatbot and recently secured funding at a $14 billion valuation.

Should Apple proceed, the acquisition would be the company’s largest ever financially and strategically, potentially transforming its position in AI and reducing its long-standing dependence on Google’s search infrastructure.

Apple’s slow development of Siri and reliance on a $20 billion revenue-sharing deal with Google have left it trailing rivals. With that partnership now under regulatory scrutiny in the US, Apple may view Perplexity as a vital step towards building a more autonomous search and AI ecosystem.

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EU adviser backs Android antitrust ruling against Google

An adviser to the Court of Justice of the European Union has supported the EU’s antitrust ruling against Google, recommending the dismissal of its appeal over a €4.1bn fine. The case concerns Google’s use of its Android mobile system to limit competition through pre-installed apps and contractual restrictions.

The original €4.34bn fine was imposed by the European Commission in 2018 and later reduced by the General Court.

Google then appealed to the EU’s top court, but Advocate-General Juliane Kokott concluded that Google’s practices gave it unfair market advantages.

Kokott rejected Google’s argument that its actions should be assessed against an equally efficient competitor, noting Google’s dominance in the Android ecosystem and the robust network effects it enjoys.

She argued that bundling Google Search and Chrome with the Play Store created barriers for competitors.

The final court ruling is expected in the coming months and could shape Google’s future regulatory obligations in Europe. Google has already incurred over €8 billion in the EU antitrust fines across several investigations.

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WhatsApp ad rollout in EU slower than global pace amid privacy scrutiny

Meta is gradually rolling out advertising features on WhatsApp globally, starting with the Updates tab, where users follow channels and may see sponsored content.

Although the global rollout remains on track, the Irish Data Protection Commission has indicated that a full rollout across the EU will not occur before 2026. However, this delay reflects ongoing regulatory scrutiny, particularly over privacy compliance.

Concerns have emerged regarding how user data from Meta platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger might be used to target ads on WhatsApp.

Privacy group NOYB had previously voiced criticism about such cross-platform data use. However, Meta clarified that these concerns are not directly applicable to the current WhatsApp ad model.

According to Meta, integrating WhatsApp with the Meta Account Center—which allows cross-app ad personalization—is optional and off by default.

If users do not link their WhatsApp accounts, only limited data sourced from WhatsApp (such as city, language, followed channels, and ad interactions) will be used for ad targeting in the Updates tab.

Meta maintains that this approach aligns with EU privacy rules. Nonetheless, regulators are expected to carefully assess Meta’s implementation, especially in light of recent judgments against the company’s ‘pay or consent’ model under the Digital Markets Act.

Meta recently reduced the cost of its ad-free subscriptions in the EU, signalling a willingness to adapt—but the company continues to prioritize personalized advertising globally as part of its long-term strategy.

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India’s Gen Z founders go viral with AI and robotics ‘Hacker House’ in Bengaluru

A viral video has captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts by offering a rare look inside a ‘Hacker House’ in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout, where a group of Gen Z Indian founders are quietly shaping the future of AI and robotics.

Spearheaded by Localhost, the initiative provides young developers aged 16 to 22 with funding, workspace, and a collaborative environment to rapidly build real-world tech products — no media hype, just raw innovation.

The video, shared by Canadian entrepreneur Caleb Friesen, shows teenage coders intensely focused on their projects. From AI-powered noise-cancelling systems and assistive robots to innovative real estate and podcasting tools, each room in the shared house hums with creativity.

The youngest, 16-year-old Harish, stands out for his deep focus, while Suhas Sumukh, who leads the Bengaluru chapter, acts as both a guide and mentor.

Rather than pitch decks and polished PR, what resonated online was the authenticity and dedication. Caleb’s walk-through showed residents too engrossed in their work to acknowledge his arrival.

Viewers responded with admiration, calling it a rare glimpse into ‘the real future of Indian tech’. The video has since crossed 1.4 million views, sparking global curiosity.

At the heart of the movement is Localhost, founded by Kei Hayashi, which helps young developers build fast and learn faster.

As demand grows for similar hacker houses in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, the initiative may start a new chapter for India’s startup ecosystem — fuelled by focus, snacks, and a poster of Steve Jobs.

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SoftBank plans $1 trillion AI and robotics park in Arizona

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is planning what could become his most audacious venture yet: a $1 trillion AI and robotics industrial park in Arizona.

Dubbed ‘Project Crystal Land’, the initiative aims to recreate a high-tech manufacturing hub reminiscent of China’s Shenzhen, focused on AI-powered robots and next-gen automation.

Son is courting global tech giants — including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Samsung — to join the vision, though none have formally committed.

The plan hinges on support from federal and state governments, with SoftBank already discussing possible tax breaks with US officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

While TSMC is already investing $165 billion in Arizona facilities, sources suggest Son’s project has not altered the chipmaker’s current roadmap. SoftBank hopes to attract semiconductor and AI hardware leaders to power the park’s infrastructure.

Son has also approached SoftBank Vision Fund portfolio companies to participate, including robotics startup Agile Robots.

The park may serve as a production hub for emerging tech firms, complementing SoftBank’s broader investments, such as a potential $30 billion stake in OpenAI, a $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing, and funding for Stargate, a global data centre venture with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX.

While the vision is still early, Project Crystal Land could radically shift US high-tech manufacturing. Son’s strategy relies heavily on project-based financing, allowing extensive infrastructure builds with minimal upfront capital.

As SoftBank eyes long-term AI growth and increased investor confidence, whether this futuristic park will become a reality — or another of Son’s high-stakes dreams remains to be seen.

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