Posts by Mike Knight
Italian Spyware Firm Accused of Distributing Malicious Apps
According to TechCrunch, it’s alleged that Italian spyware maker SIO has been distributing malicious Android apps designed to masquerade as WhatsApp and other widely used applications while covertly harvesting sensitive data from targeted devices. The spyware, dubbed ‘Spyrtacus,’ has been operating undetected for years, raising fresh concerns about government-backed surveillance tools and the extent of…
Read MoreGlobal Electricity Demand Soaring
The world’s electricity consumption is forecast to rise at its fastest pace in recent years, growing at close to 4 per cent annually through 2027, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The “Age of Electricity” This IEA report states that the sharp acceleration is being driven by a combination of…
Read MoreUK Government Demands Apple Reveal Your Data
The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to grant it access to encrypted data stored in iCloud by users worldwide, a move that has sparked fierce debate over privacy, security, and government surveillance. IPA The demand, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), represents one of the most significant clashes between a government and…
Read MoreUK’s New Cyber Severity Scale
The UK’s Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC) has now started categorising cyber events using a scale designed to assess the impact and severity of attacks (similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes). What is the Cyber Monitoring Centre? The Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC) is an independent, non-profit organisation founded by the UK’s insurance industry to enhance…
Read MoreGoogle Lifts AI Ban on Weapons and Surveillance
Google has revised its AI principles, lifting its ban on using artificial intelligence (AI) for the development of weapons and surveillance tools. What Did the Previous Principles State? In 2018, Google established its Responsible AI Principles to guide the ethical use of artificial intelligence in its products and services. Among these was a clear commitment…
Read MoreBanning Mobiles : Impact On School Children
A recent study by the University of Birmingham has revealed that banning smartphones during school hours does not necessarily lead to improved mental health or academic performance among students. The SMART Schools Study The SMART Schools study, conducted by the University of Birmingham, set out to evaluate whether banning phone use throughout the school day…
Read MoreMicrosoft 365 Users Must Opt Out to Avoid Price Hike for Copilot
Microsoft 365 subscribers are facing a price increase unless they actively opt out of Microsoft’s Copilot AI. The tech giant has announced that its AI assistant will now be bundled into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans, leading to higher subscription fees for users who do not take action. While Microsoft claims this reflects added…
Read MoreNew Class Of Sustainable Bacteria-Made Textiles
London-based biomaterials company Modern Synthesis has unveiled a new class of nonwoven materials derived from ‘bacterial nanocellulose’. Sustainable Alternative To Other Materials These innovative textiles can be made to replace everything from plastic films to leathers, thereby offering a sustainable alternative to some of the fashion and automotive industries’ most environmentally damaging materials. Who Is…
Read MoreIs DeepSeek Safe?
Following the surprise introduction of Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, here we look at what makes it different, and why concerns are growing over its safety and privacy implications. What is DeepSeek? DeepSeek is a Chinese-developed AI chatbot that functions much like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. The app exploded in popularity following its release in…
Read MoreUK Employers Ramp Up Workplace Surveillance
Workplace surveillance is becoming an inescapable reality for employees across the UK, with new research showing that 85 per cent of employers now monitor their staff’s online activity. What’s Going On? While businesses argue that these measures are essential for productivity and security, research indicates that employees are increasingly feeling the strain, leading to stress,…
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