The US House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a defence bill proposing $3 billion for telecom companies to replace equipment from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The legislation aims to address security concerns posed by Chinese technology in American wireless networks. A previous allocation of $1.9 billion was deemed insufficient for the programme, which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates will cost nearly $5 billion.
The initiative, known as the ‘rip and replace’ programme, targets rural carriers reliant on the equipment, which could lose connectivity if funding gaps persist. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel warned that insufficient funding might force some rural networks to shut down, endangering services such as 911 emergency calls. Rural regions face significant risks without immediate support for the removal and replacement of insecure telecoms infrastructure.
The proposed funding would also cover up to $500 million for regional technology hubs, supported by revenue from an FCC spectrum auction. Advocates emphasise the importance of securing connectivity while maintaining services for millions of Americans. Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan welcomed the proposed funding, calling it critical for network security and consumer access.
TikTok Shop has experienced remarkable growth during the holiday shopping season in the US, with consumers flocking to the platform for deals. Launched in September 2023, it has quickly emerged as a major player in e-commerce, offering merchandise from top brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics and Ninja Kitchen. According to the platform, sales reached $100 million on Black Friday alone, driven by increased adoption among its 170 million US users.
Merchants and influencers have embraced TikTok Shop’s unique model, which combines advertising and live shopping streams. The number of live sessions hosted monthly has nearly tripled in the past year, showcasing products that appeal to buyers through targeted content. Some shoppers have noted faster delivery times compared to Amazon, enhancing TikTok’s competitive edge.
The platform’s success comes as its parent company, ByteDance, faces a looming divestiture mandate in the US to avoid a ban. Analysts suggest such a move could significantly impact TikTok Shop, which has become a vital revenue stream for many brands. Marketing experts describe it as an irreplaceable channel that is excelling in connecting shoppers with tailored content.
Competition remains intense with rivals like Shein and Temu, which also target US consumers with low-cost goods. TikTok Shop continues to gain market share, buoyed by its ability to curate personalised shopping experiences and capitalise on the social media platform’s immense popularity.
Supply chain software company Blue Yonder is investigating claims of data theft after the ‘Termite’ ransomware group threatened to release stolen data. The Arizona-based company, which serves major clients like DHL, Starbucks, and Walgreens, was hit by a ransomware attack on 21 November. While Blue Yonder initially confirmed a cyberattack, it did not disclose the perpetrators.
The Termite group, which recently claimed responsibility for the breach on its dark web leak site, claims to have stolen 680 gigabytes of data, including documents, reports, and email lists. The group, believed to be a rebranded version of the Babuk ransomware gang, has threatened to release the data soon. Blue Yonder is working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and has notified impacted customers, though it has not confirmed specific details about the stolen data.
The attack has caused operational disruptions for some clients, including UK supermarkets Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, and US company Starbucks, which was forced to manually calculate employee pay. The full extent of the attack on Blue Yonder’s 3,000+ customers remains unclear.
American TikTok creators are urging their followers to connect on platforms like Instagram and YouTube after a federal appeals court upheld a law that could ban TikTok in the US unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its American operations by January 19. The looming deadline has sparked anxiety among creators and businesses reliant on TikTok’s vast reach, which includes 170 million US users.
The platform’s popularity, especially among younger audiences, has turned it into a hub for creators, advertisers, and small businesses, with features like TikTok Shop driving significant economic activity. Some creators, like social media influencer Chris Mowrey, expressed fears about losing their livelihoods, emphasising the potential economic blow to small enterprises and content creators.
While some users are bracing for a shutdown, others remain sceptical about the ban’s likelihood, holding off on major changes until more clarity emerges. In the meantime, creators like Chris Burkett and SnipingForDom are diversifying their presence across platforms to safeguard their communities and content. For many, the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future is a stark reminder of the fragile nature of digital ecosystems.
The US government has authorised the export of advanced AI chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the United Arab Emirates. This approval comes as part of Microsoft’s $1.5 billion partnership with Emirati AI firm G42, where the US tech giant holds a minority stake and a board seat. G42 uses Microsoft’s cloud services to support its AI applications.
Concerns arose over potential risks of US AI technology being transferred to China, prompting scrutiny from lawmakers. They sought clarity on G42’s connections to Chinese authorities before permitting the deal to proceed. The export licence requires strict compliance measures, ensuring restricted access to the UAE facility by individuals or organisations from nations under US arms embargoes, including China.
AI-related national security risks, such as the facilitation of weapons development, remain a key issue for US officials. The Biden administration has implemented regulations requiring major AI developers to share system details with the government. G42 has publicly stated its commitment to aligning with international standards in collaboration with US partners and the UAE government.
Ownership ties also add complexity, with G42 partly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund and chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor. The deal underscores a delicate balancing act as Washington navigates strategic and economic interests in the AI sector.
Meta Platforms has partnered with Invenergy to purchase green energy credits from four large solar projects in the United States, supporting its goal to power operations with 100% clean energy. These projects, generating 760 megawatts—enough to power approximately 130,000 homes—will be located in Ohio, Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas and are expected to connect to the grid between 2024 and 2027.
The deal is part of Meta‘s broader strategy to meet the energy demands of its data centres sustainably, including prior agreements with geothermal and solar initiatives. While Meta won’t directly use the power, the credits will offset its energy footprint.
Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy, stated the projects reaffirm Meta’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The move comes amid rising energy demands from the company’s expanding global operations.
Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision, an AI-powered feature available in a limited US preview for users of Microsoft Edge. This experimental tool, part of the Copilot Labs program, can read web pages to answer user queries, summarise and translate content, and even assist with tasks like finding discounts or offering gaming tips. For example, it can provide recipes from a cooking site or strategic advice during an online chess game.
To address privacy concerns, Microsoft emphasises that Copilot Vision deletes all processed data at the end of each session and does not store information for model training. The feature is initially restricted to a pre-approved list of popular websites, excluding sensitive or paywalled content, though Microsoft plans to expand compatibility over time.
Microsoft’s cautious rollout reflects ongoing efforts to balance innovation with publisher concerns over AI’s use of web data. The company is collaborating with third-party publishers to ensure the tool benefits users without compromising website content or functionality.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed requiring US communications providers to certify annually that they have plans to defend against cyberattacks. The move comes amid growing concerns over espionage by ‘Salt Typhoon,’ a hacking group allegedly linked to Beijing that has infiltrated several American telecom companies to steal call data.
Rosenworcel highlighted the need for a modern framework to secure networks as US intelligence agencies assess the impact of Salt Typhoon’s widespread attack. A senior US official confirmed the hackers had stolen metadata from numerous Americans, breaching at least eight telecom firms.
The FCC proposal, which Rosenworcel has circulated to other commissioners, would take effect immediately if approved. The announcement follows a classified Senate briefing on the breach, but industry giants like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have yet to comment.
A senior US official revealed that a Chinese hacking group, known as ‘Salt Typhoon,’ has stolen vast amounts of Americans’ metadata in a broad cyberespionage effort targeting US telecommunications. While specific figures remain undisclosed, the hackers are said to have breached at least eight American telecom firms, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Call record metadata — detailing who called whom, when, and where — was a key target, exposing sensitive personal and professional patterns. In some cases, telephone audio intercepts were also reportedly stolen. The campaign remains active, with the White House prioritising efforts to counter the intrusions.
Government agencies, including the FBI and the National Security Council, have briefed lawmakers and President Joe Biden on the matter, highlighting the severity of the breach. Efforts to secure the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure are ongoing.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has begun directly monitoring financial technology (fintech) companies partnering with banks across the United States. New system like this one aims to enhance oversight by identifying risks associated with these partnerships before they threaten banking stability. The monitoring system also allows regulators to maintain consistent supervision, even if fintech firms change their banking partners.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of bank-fintech collaborations, following the collapse of Synapse Financial Technologies in April. The startup, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, had provided critical services enabling fintech firms to offer financial products via FDIC-insured banks. Its failure left thousands of users without access to their funds and brought significant regulatory attention to the sector.
In response, the FDIC has proposed strengthening bank record-keeping requirements and expanding the definition of brokered deposits to include fintech-related funds. While these rules are not expected to take effect before 2025, the new monitoring framework provides examiners with an additional tool to safeguard financial stability without waiting for legislative approval.
FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg, who is stepping down in January, has played a central role in developing this regulatory approach. His leadership has been pivotal in navigating the challenges posed by the evolving relationship between traditional banking and fintech startups.
