Tech News

1. Meta's AI Training:

   • Meta will resume training its AI models using public data from European adult users on Facebook and Instagram after addressing data protection concerns. The training aims to enhance the AI models' understanding of European cultures and languages. 👉 thehackernews.com

2. Nvidia and Chip Export Restrictions:

   • Nvidia anticipates a $5.5 billion charge due to new US restrictions on exporting H20 chips to China. 👉 cnbc.com
   • New U.S. curbs on chip exports to China will cost the company $7.3 billion. 👉 straitstimes.com
   • Separately, Nvidia is working with partners to produce AI servers worth up to $500 billion in the US over four years, following a pattern of companies seeking to please President Trump. 👉 wsj.com^$
   • U.S. tariffs may cost chip equipment makers more than $1 billion a year. 👉 reuters.com

3. Meta Antitrust Case and Zuckerberg's Testimony:

   • Meta offered ~$1B to settle the FTC's antitrust case, which the FTC had demanded $30B to drop its case. 👉 wsj.com^$
   • Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 due to concerns that its success was hurting Facebook. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Zuckerberg testified about his acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, including a 2012 email exchange rationalizing the apps' acquisition. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Zuckerberg considered resetting all Facebook users' friend connections to boost the platform's relevance. 👉 businessinsider.com^$

4. OpenAI's Social Network Plans:

   • OpenAI is reportedly developing its own X-like social network, focused on ChatGPT image generation. 👉 theverge.com
   • CEO Sam Altman has been seeking feedback on the project, which may be integrated into ChatGPT or released as a separate app. 👉 theverge.com

5. AI Vulnerabilities and Defenses:

   • A recent report shows a significant number of browser extensions have access to sensitive enterprise data. 👉 thehackernews.com
   • Cybersecurity firm Prodaft is buying hacker forum accounts to spy on cybercriminals. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • A new Android security feature will auto-reboot phones and tablets locked for three days to prevent forensic data extractions. 👉 9to5google.com 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

6. Android Security Update:

   • Google is rolling out a Play services update that includes a new security feature to auto-reboot locked Android phones and tablets after three days. 👉 9to5google.com 👉 arstechnica.com

7. Cybersecurity and Espionage:

   • Chinese police accuse the NSA of launching advanced cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February 2025, naming three agents. 👉 reuters.com
   • China-linked threat actor UNC5174 uses SNOWLIGHT malware and VShell tool to infect Linux systems. 👉 thehackernews.com

8. FTC v. Meta Antitrust Case:

   • Meta offered $450M, then ~$1B, to settle the FTC's antitrust case, but the FTC sought $30B. 👉 wsj.com^$
   • Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 due to concerns its success was hurting Facebook. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Zuckerberg testified about Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. 👉 bloomberg.com^$

9. AI Enhancements and Integrations:

   • Anthropic's Claude AI now integrates with Google Workspace for access to Gmail, Calendar, and Google Docs. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • Anthropic's Claude adds Research, capable of searching the web and internal documents to give comprehensive answers. 👉 inc.com
   • Google rolls out its text-to-video AI model Veo 2 to Gemini Advanced subscribers. 👉 theverge.com

10. Figma's IPO:

    • Figma confidentially filed for a US IPO after its deal with Adobe fell through; the company was valued at $12.5B in a May 2024 tender offer. 👉 reuters.com 👉 techcrunch.com
    • Figma sent a cease-and-desist letter to Lovable over the term 'Dev Mode'. 👉 techcrunch.com

11. Cybersecurity Funding Shortfall:

    • Mitre, the organization behind the CVE program, will lose US government funding on April 16, threatening the database of known software vulnerabilities. 👉 nextgov.com

12. China Outs US Hackers:

    • Chinese authorities accuse three NSA employees of hacking the Asian Winter Games, escalating tensions between the US and China. 👉 bloomberg.com^$ 👉 reuters.com

13. 4chan Hacked:

    • Online forum 4chan was taken down following a major hack that doxxed moderators. 👉 engadget.com 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

14. Meta to Resume AI Training on European Users' Data:

    • Meta will resume training its AI models using public data shared by European adult users on its Facebook and Instagram social media platforms, but users can opt out of the training. 👉 thehackernews.com

15. Malware and Phishing Campaigns:

• Cybersecurity firm Prodaft is buying hacker forum accounts to spy on cybercriminals. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
• New ResolverRAT malware targets pharma and healthcare orgs worldwide. 👉 thehackernews.com
• Phishing campaigns use real-time checks to validate victim emails before credential theft. 👉 thehackernews.com
• A malicious package on PyPI targeted the MEXC trading API to steal credentials and redirect orders. 👉 thehackernews.com
• Crypto Developers Targeted by Python Malware Disguised as Coding Challenges. 👉 thehackernews.com
• Over 130 companies tangled in sprawling phishing campaign that spoofed a multi-factor authentication system. 👉 threatpost.com
• Russian state-sponsored espionage group Midnight Blizzard is behind a new spear-phishing campaign targeting diplomatic entities in Europe, including embassies. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

16. Apache Roller Vulnerability:

    • A critical security vulnerability exists in Apache Roller before version 6.1.5, where active user sessions are not properly invalidated after password changes. 👉 thehackernews.com

17. Security Alert for Gladinet's Triofox and CentreStack:

    • A flaw in Gladinet CentreStack impacts Triofox, exposing servers to remote code execution attacks, fixed in CentreStack version 16.4.10315.56368. 👉 thehackernews.com

18. Security Weaknesses in Browsers:

• Report finds most browser extensions can access sensitive enterprise data. 👉 thehackernews.com

19. New US Ban on H20 Chip:

• Nvidia set back by new US ban on H20 chip. 👉 news.rthk.hk

20. Cybersecurity Advisory:

• Cybersecurity world on edge as CVE program prepares to go dark. 👉 forbes.com^$

21. Whistleblower on DOGE May Have Taken Sensitive Labor Data:

    • A whistleblower says DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data, and then someone posted a threatening letter to his door. 👉 npr.org
    • DOGE Seem to Be Stealing Sensitive Labor Data, Whistlebower Says. 👉 newrepublic.com

22. Pentagon's Digital Service Shuts Down:

    • US DOD's Defense Digital Service is effectively shutting down as nearly all staff are resigning, saying they were sidelined by DOGE's efforts. 👉 politico.com

23. Indian Outsourcers Fighting GenAI:

    • Generative AI offers remarkable efficiency gains while presenting a profound challenge for the global IT services industry. 👉 indiadispatch.com

24. Meta, Authors and Copyright:

    • Publishers and law professors have filed amicus briefs supporting authors who sued Meta over its AI training practices, arguing that the company's use of "thousands of pirated books" fails to qualify as fair use under copyright law. 👉 techcrunch.com

25. Nvidia's AI Infrastructure in US:

    • Nvidia to Make AI Supercomputers in Texas, Plans Up to $500 Billion in U.S. Production Within Four Years. 👉 barrons.com

26. Android Devices Get Automatic Reboot Security Feature:

    • Japan's anti-monopoly watchdog accuses Google of violations in smartphones. 👉 japantoday.com

27. US Funding Running Out For Cyber Vulnerability Database:

• US funding running out for critical cyber vulnerability database, manager says. 👉 reuters.com

28. China Alleges US Cyber Espionage During Winter Games:

• China alleges US cyber espionage during the Asian Winter Games, names 3 NSA agents. 👉 csoonline.com

29. Apple Designates Intel Mac Minis as Vintage or Obsolete:

    • Apple has officially designated all Intel-based Mac minis as "vintage" or "obsolete", marking the end of an era. 👉 9to5mac.com

30. Google to Redirect all Search Users to Google.com:

    • Google plans to redirect all Search users to google.com over the coming months, saying “country-level domains are no longer necessary”. 👉 9to5google.com

31. OpenAI is building a social network:

    • OpenAI is building a social network? 👉 news.ycombinator.com

32. Lemonade API Glitch:

    • Insurance firm Lemonade is notifying roughly 190,000 individuals that their driver's license numbers were likely exposed due to a technical glitch. 👉 securityweek.com

33. Google to Stop Forcing Search and Browser on Android Phones:

    • Japan Orders Google to Stop Forcing Search and Browser on Android Phones. 👉 sammyguru.com

34. Uber Cofounder Predicts AI Shake Up for Consultants:

    • Uber cofounder Travis Kalanick thinks AI is about to shake up consulting -- and for "traditional" professionals, not in a good way. 👉 businessinsider.com^$

35. GitHub CEO Emphasizes the Importance of Learning to Code:

    • You should still learn to code, says GitHub's CEO. And you should start as soon as possible. 👉 businessinsider.com^$

36. Auto-Restart of Locked Android Device:

    • A silent update rolling out to virtually all Android devices will make your phone more secure. 👉 arstechnica.com

37. FCC Chair Warns Europe:

    • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has issued a stark ultimatum to European allies, telling them to choose between US and Chinese communications technology. 👉 ft.com^$

38. Meta Faced Off Against Antitrust Regulators:

    • Meta to face off against antitrust regulators. 👉 semafor.com

39. ChatGPT vs. X:

    • ChatGPT vs. X? OpenAI Is Reportedly Prototyping a Social Network. 👉 pcmag.com

40. FTC v. Meta:

    • At US antitrust trial, Meta's Zuckerberg admits he bought Instagram because it was ‘better’. 👉 reuters.com

41. China Outs US Hackers for Attack:

    • China Outs US Hackers, a New Frontier in Global Spy Games. 👉 bloomberg.com^$

42. Microsoft Blocks ActiveX by Default in Microsoft 365, Office 2024:

    • Microsoft blocks ActiveX by default in Microsoft 365, Office 2024. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

43. Figma Files Confidentially for IPO:

    • Design Software Maker Figma Files Confidentially for IPO. 👉 theinformation.com

44. Nvidia To Take $5.5 Billion Charge For H20 AI Chips Exported To China:

    • Nvidia To Take $5.5 Billion Charge For H20 AI Chips Exported To China. 👉 investors.com

45. MITRE support expires for CVE program:

    • MITRE support expires for ‘pillar of cybersecurity industry,’ CVE program. 👉 scworld.com

46. Reuters: OpenAI reportedly working on X-like social media network:

    • OpenAI reportedly working on X-like social media network. 👉 nypost.com

47. Meta CEO Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018:

    • Meta CEO Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 over antitrust worries, email says. 👉 livemint.com

48. Hertz confirms customer info, drivers' licenses stolen in data breach:

    • Hertz confirms customer info, drivers' licenses stolen in data breach. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

49. Nvidia expects $5.5bn hit as US tightens chip export rules to China:

    • Nvidia expects $5.5bn hit as US tightens chip export rules to China. 👉 bbc.com

50. Federal employee alleges DOGE activity resulted in data breach at labor board:

• Federal employee alleges DOGE activity resulted in data breach at labor board. 👉 nbcnews.com

1744762200000