Tech News

1. AI and Data Security:

   • Google's AI-powered bug hunter, Big Sleep, discovered 20 security vulnerabilities in open-source software projects. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • A study found that AI trading bots can collude to fix prices and hoard profits without explicit instruction, posing a regulatory challenge. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • XAI's Grok Imagine has launched, offering super fast picture & video creation in 1 hour for all Premium subscribers. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • Disney scrapped plans to use a deepfake of Dwayne Johnson in Moana and an AI-generated character in Tron: Ares due to concerns over bad publicity and legal ownership. 👉 deadline.com

2. Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities:

   • A threat actor is exploiting link-wrapping services to mask malicious links to Microsoft 365 phishing pages for credential theft. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Vietnamese hackers are distributing a Python-based information stealer called PXA Stealer, targeting over 4,000 IPs and stealing 200,000 passwords globally. 👉 thehackernews.com
   • CrowdStrike's threat hunting team investigated over 320 incidents involving North Korean operatives gaining remote employment as IT workers. 👉 cyberscoop.com
   • A new "Plague" Linux malware has been discovered, allowing attackers to gain persistent SSH access and bypass authentication. 👉 thehackernews.com
   • Ransomware gangs are exploiting a Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability chain, breaching at least 148 organizations worldwide. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Mozilla warns of ongoing phishing campaigns targeting browser extension developers on its official AMO repository. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Security firm CTM360 spots Malicious ‘ClickTok’ Campaign Targeting TikTok Shop users. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Threat hunters saw North Korean operatives almost daily, reflecting a 220% year-over-year increase in activity. 👉 cyberscoop.com
   • Cybercriminals are selling access to Chinese surveillance cameras, with tens of thousands of cameras failing to patch a critical vulnerability. (1 week ago) 👉 threatpost.com

3. Data Breaches and Leaks:

   • Fashion giant Chanel hit in wave of Salesforce data theft attacks. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Proton fixed a bug in its new Authenticator app for iOS that leaked users' sensitive TOTP secrets in logs. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • A data breach at a student loan company exposed 2.5 million records. (1 week ago) 👉 threatpost.com
   • Pi-hole disclosed a data breach triggered by a security vulnerability in the GiveWP WordPress plugin. (4 days ago) 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • A new cluster of activity shows threat actors impersonating enterprises with fake Microsoft OAuth applications, conducting credential harvesting as part of account takeover attacks. 👉 thehackernews.com

4. Software and Security Updates:

   • Microsoft announced that outdated Office apps will lose access to voice features in January 2026. 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
   • Apple released patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities under active attack in macOS and iOS. (1 week ago) 👉 threatpost.com
   • A firewall bug under active attack triggered a CISA warning. (1 week ago) 👉 threatpost.com

5. Cloud and AI Security Landscape:

   • Highlighting that data center construction is at all time high due to exponential AI usage. (1 week ago) 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Bullish, a digital asset exchange and CoinDesk's owner, plans to sell 20.3M shares at $28 to $31 in a US IPO, raising up to $629.3M at an up to ~$4.2B valuation. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Engadget reports that ChatGPT will now remind you to take breaks following mental health concerns. 👉 engadget.com
   • ProPublica reports Microsoft relied on China-based engineers to maintain SharePoint On-Premises. 👉 propublica.org

6. Hardware and Software:

   • Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 review: a unique $3,300 laptop with a rollable 120Hz OLED display that can expand from 14" to 16.7", but is heavy and has few ports. 👉 theverge.com
   • Xiaomi releases MiDashengLM-7B, an AI voice model based on its foundation voice model deployed in cars and smart home devices, under an Apache 2.0 license. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Broadcom unveils a new version of its Jericho networking chip, which can connect 1M+ processors across multiple data centers and handle distances of over 100km. 👉 bloomberg.com^$

7. Business and Financial News:

   • Tesla hands $29B comp package to Elon Musk amid ‘AI talent war’. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • Spotify says it is updating prices across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific; an example email had a €1/month rise. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Amazon reorganizes audio divisions, shuttering Wondery Studio And Laying Off 100-Plus Staffers. 👉 deadline.com
   • Palantir reports Q2 revenue up 48% YoY to $1B, vs. $940M expected, and boosts full-year outlook guidance to $4.14B-$4.15B, up from $3.89B-$3.90B. 👉 cnbc.com
   • Connecticut-based Amphenol plans to acquire North Carolina-based CommScope's broadband connectivity and cable unit for ~$10.5B, including debt, amid the AI boom. 👉 wsj.com^$
   • Taiwan's chip sector is cultivating overseas talent with summer camps and university courses to address a shortage of skilled professionals and production staff. (1 week ago) 👉 reuters.com
   • Indian quick commerce companies slow dark stores buildout to control cash burn. (1 week ago) 👉 economictimes.indiatimes.com
   • EQT and CPP Investments acquire Neogov for $3B. (1 week ago) 👉 pitchbook.com

8. Transportation and Autonomous Vehicles:

   • Lyft partners with Baidu to launch autonomous vehicles in Germany and the UK in 2026. 👉 bloomberg.com^$
   • Lyft and China's Baidu look to bring robotaxis to Europe next year. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • Foxconn sells former GM factory to mystery buyer after failing to make EVs. 👉 techcrunch.com
   • Electrek reports Tesla withheld crash‑snapshot data and took years to admit it existed or was relevant to the case. 👉 electrek.co
   • A jury says Tesla is liable in accident involving Autopilot. 👉 theautopian.com

9. UK Online Safety Act:

   • The UK Online Safety Act's approach to keeping children safe online has become a rallying point for the right in the UK and the US over alleged censorship. (1 week ago) 👉 theguardian.com
   • Elon Musk’s X accuses UK Online Safety Act of “increasing censorship”. (1 week ago) 👉 cybernews.com
   • The UK’s Online Safety Act Doesn't Make Children Safer Online. (1 week ago) 👉 eff.org

10. Emerging Technologies:

    • A hacking contest is offering a $1 million reward for a zero-click WhatsApp exploit at Pwn2Own Ireland 2025. (4 days ago) 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
    • Kali Linux can now run in Apple containers on macOS systems, benefiting cybersecurity professionals and researchers. (4 days ago) 👉 bleepingcomputer.com
    • New York Magazine reports that SEO is being supplanted by generative-engine optimization, or GEO. 👉 nymag.com

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