Chinese state-sponsored hackers, identified as the Salt Typhoon group, have breached multiple US telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon, Charter Communications, and T-Mobile. These cyber-espionage operations exploited vulnerabilities in network devices from vendors such as Fortinet and Cisco Systems.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has stated that the United States has taken steps in response to these intrusions, sending clear messages to China about the consequences of disrupting American critical infrastructure.
The breaches have raised significant concerns about national security and the resilience of US critical infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats. While companies like AT&T and Verizon have reported that their networks are now secure and are collaborating with law enforcement, the extent and impact of these breaches continue to be scrutinised.
China has denied involvement in these cyber activities, accusing the United States of disseminating disinformation. Nonetheless, the revelations have intensified discussions about the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive communications and infrastructure from state-sponsored cyber espionage.
The US Supreme Court on Friday appeared inclined to uphold a law requiring a sale or ban of TikTok in the United States by January 19, citing national security risks tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Justices questioned TikTok’s potential role in enabling the Chinese government to collect data on its 170 million American users and influence public opinion covertly. Chief Justice John Roberts and others expressed concerns about China’s potential to exploit the platform, while also probing implications for free speech protections under the First Amendment.
The law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by outgoing President Joe Biden, has been challenged by TikTok, ByteDance, and app users who argue it infringes on free speech. TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, warned that without a resolution or extension by President-elect Donald Trump, the platform would likely shut down on January 19. Francisco emphasised TikTok’s role as a key platform for expression and called for at least a temporary halt to the law.
Liberal and conservative justices alike acknowledged the tension between national security and constitutional rights. Justice Elena Kagan raised historical parallels to Cold War-era restrictions, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted the long-term risks of data collection. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden administration, argued that TikTok’s foreign ownership poses a grave threat, enabling covert manipulation and espionage. She defended Congress’s right to act in the interest of national security.
With global trade tensions and fears of digital surveillance mounting, the Supreme Court’s decision will have wide-ranging implications for technology, free speech, and US-China relations. The court is now considering whether to grant a temporary stay, providing Trump’s incoming administration an opportunity to address the issue politically.
President Joe Biden is preparing to introduce a new executive order aimed at strengthening cybersecurity standards for federal agencies and contractors. The proposed measures address growing threats from Chinese-linked cyber operations and criminal cyberattacks, which have targeted critical infrastructure, government emails, and major telecom firms. Under the draft order, contractors must adhere to stricter secure software development practices and provide documentation to be verified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The order highlights vulnerabilities exposed by recent cyber incidents, including the May 2023 breach of US government email accounts, attributed to Chinese hackers. New guidelines will also focus on securing access tokens and cryptographic keys, which were exploited during the attack. Contractors whose security practices fail to meet standards may face legal consequences, with referrals to the attorney general for further action.
While experts like Tom Kellermann of Contrast Security support the initiative, some criticise the timeline as insufficient given the immediate threats posed by adversaries like China and Russia. Brandon Wales of SentinelOne views the order as a continuation of efforts across the past two administrations, emphasising the need to enhance existing cybersecurity frameworks while addressing a broad range of threats.
The order underscores Biden’s commitment to cybersecurity as a pressing national security issue. It comes amid escalating concerns about foreign cyber operations and aims to solidify protections for critical US systems before the transition to new leadership.
Nvidia has voiced strong opposition to a reported plan by the Biden administration to impose new restrictions on the export of AI chips, urging the outgoing president to avoid making a decision that could impact the incoming Trump administration. The company warned that such measures would harm the US economy, hinder innovation, and benefit adversaries like China. Nvidia’s Vice President, Ned Finkle, called the policy a “last-minute” move that would leave a legacy of criticism from both US industry and the global community.
The proposed restrictions, as reported by Bloomberg, aim to limit AI chip exports to certain countries, particularly targeting China to prevent the enhancement of its military capabilities. While some nations would face outright bans, the rules would also cap the computing power that can be exported to others. The Biden administration has yet to confirm the details, and requests for comment from the White House and the Commerce Department went unanswered.
Industry groups, including the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents major tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, have expressed concern about the policy. They argue that it would impose arbitrary limitations on US companies’ global competitiveness and risk ceding market leadership to foreign rivals. Nvidia warned that these restrictions could push international markets toward alternative technologies, undermining the US technology sector.
President-elect Donald Trump, who begins his second term on January 20, previously enacted technology export restrictions to China during his first term, citing national security concerns. Nvidia’s statement reflects apprehension about the continuity of US policy on AI chip exports under the new administration.
China has unveiled its ambitious ‘National Data Infrastructure Construction Guidelines,’ placing blockchain technology at the centre of its strategy to enhance data security, transparency, and scalability. The guidelines aim to establish a blockchain-powered data infrastructure nationwide by 2029, advancing the country’s digital transformation goals.
The plan, announced by the National Development and Reform Commission, outlines a phased approach. Between 2024 and 2026, pilot projects in key regions will test blockchain frameworks and decentralised applications across sectors such as finance, green energy, and manufacturing. By 2028, these pilots are expected to evolve into integrated national blockchain networks supporting secure, large-scale data exchanges.
Central to the initiative is the creation of “trusted data spaces” that enable multi-party data sharing with privacy and ownership guarantees. These spaces will tackle governance challenges, ensuring data traceability and integrity across industries like logistics, e-commerce, and financial services. Blockchain-driven data markets will also allow the tokenisation and secure trading of data assets, unlocking new revenue streams and incentivising sharing at scale.
China’s guidelines further focus on combining blockchain with advanced privacy technologies to safeguard sensitive information while allowing secure data analysis. By decentralising data flows and integrating real-time monitoring, the initiative seeks to bolster security, reduce vulnerabilities, and position blockchain as a cornerstone of the nation’s digital economy.
A prominent technology trade group has urged the Biden administration to reconsider a proposed rule that would restrict global access to US-made AI chips, warning that the measure could undermine America’s leadership in the AI sector. The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), representing major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, expressed concerns that the restrictions could unfairly limit US companies’ ability to compete globally while allowing foreign rivals to dominate the market.
The proposed rule, expected to be released as soon as Friday, is part of the Commerce Department’s broader strategy to regulate AI chip exports and prevent misuse, particularly by adversaries like China. The restrictions aim to curb the potential for AI to enhance China’s military capabilities. However, in a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, ITI CEO Jason Oxman criticised the administration’s urgency in finalising the rule, warning of ‘significant adverse consequences’ if implemented hastily. Oxman called for a more measured approach, such as issuing a proposed rule for public feedback rather than enacting an immediate policy.
Industry leaders have been vocal in their opposition, describing the draft rule as overly broad and damaging. The Semiconductor Industry Association raised similar concerns earlier this week, and Oracle’s Executive Vice President Ken Glueck slammed the measure as one of the most disruptive ever proposed for the US tech sector. Glueck argued the rule would impose sweeping regulations on the global commercial cloud industry, stifling innovation and growth.
While the administration has yet to comment on the matter, the growing pushback highlights the tension between safeguarding national security and maintaining US dominance in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
Cyberattacks on Taiwan’s government departments doubled in 2024, reaching an average of 2.4 million attacks per day, according to the island’s National Security Bureau. Most of the attacks were attributed to Chinese cyber forces, with key targets including telecommunications, transportation, and defence. The report highlighted the increasing severity of China’s hacking activities, noting that many of the attacks were timed to coincide with Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
Taiwan has long accused Beijing of using cyberwarfare as part of broader “grey-zone harassment” efforts, which also include military exercises and surveillance balloons. The latest report detailed how China’s cyber forces employed advanced hacking techniques, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and social engineering, in an attempt to steal confidential government data. These attacks were aimed at disrupting Taiwan’s infrastructure, including highways and ports, and gaining strategic advantages in politics, military affairs, and technology.
China has not responded to the allegations, though it routinely denies involvement in hacking operations. However, Taiwan’s findings come amid growing international concerns over Chinese cyber activities, with the United States recently accusing Chinese hackers of stealing sensitive documents from the US Treasury Department. Taiwan’s government has warned that Beijing’s cyber threats are intensifying and pose a growing risk to national security.
China has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its law enforcement toolkit – the Rotunbot RT-G, a spherical robot designed to aid police in high-speed chases and challenging terrains. Developed by Logon Technology, this 276-pound robotic marvel can travel up to 22 mph on land and water, navigate mud and rivers, and even withstand drops from ledges. Its rapid acceleration and amphibious capabilities make it a unique asset for pursuit scenarios.
Equipped with advanced technology, the RT-G boasts GPS for precise navigation, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and systems for tracking and avoiding obstacles. Gyroscopic self-stabilisation ensures smooth operation, while a suite of non-lethal tools—including tear gas dispensers, net shooters, and acoustic crowd dispersal devices—enables it to handle diverse law enforcement tasks humanely and effectively.
The RT-G is already used in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province of China, where it assists police in commercial zones. While its real-world performance shows promise, limitations such as instability during turns and difficulty navigating stairs reveal areas for improvement. Despite these challenges, the Rotunbot RT-G represents a significant leap in robotic policing technology, blending innovation with practicality.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has proposed new export restrictions on key technologies for producing lithium and gallium, vital components in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other advanced applications. These measures, announced Thursday, aim to bolster China’s dominant position in processing critical minerals, where it controls 70% of global lithium refining capacity. The proposed rules are open for public comment until 1 February, but no implementation date has been specified.
Industry experts warn the restrictions could disrupt global supply chains. Adam Webb of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that Western lithium producers might struggle to access Chinese technology critical for refining lithium chemicals, potentially delaying production and innovation. Meanwhile, the rules could also complicate the global ambitions of Chinese battery giants like CATL and Gotion by restricting their overseas operations.
The proposed curbs come amid ongoing trade tensions, with Beijing responding to mounting international scrutiny over its control of crucial materials. The measures may deepen competition between China and other nations striving for energy independence and a sustainable transition to EVs if enacted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the government and Sberbank, the nation’s largest bank, to deepen collaboration with China in the development of AI. The announcement, published on the Kremlin’s website, comes three weeks after Putin unveiled plans for Russia to work alongside BRICS nations and other partners to advance AI technologies. Sberbank, which leads Russia’s AI initiatives, has been tasked with fostering technological cooperation with China.
That move reflects Russia’s efforts to circumvent Western sanctions that have restricted its access to key technologies, including microchips essential for AI development. The sanctions have caused major global chip manufacturers to halt exports to Russia, creating significant hurdles for its AI ambitions.
Sberbank CEO German Gref admitted that replacing GPUs, the microchips vital to AI, remains a critical challenge for the country. By partnering with non-Western allies, Russia aims to counterbalance US dominance in the rapidly evolving AI sector, which Putin has described as a cornerstone of the 21st century.
As part of this strategy, a newly proposed AI Alliance Network will unite experts from BRICS nations and other interested states to bolster innovation and investment. However, Russia still lags behind its competitors, ranking 31st in the Global AI Index, far below leaders like the US, China, and even BRICS partners India and Brazil.
