Two individuals connected to the notorious Salt Typhoon hacking group from China have been identified as likely having been trained at Cisco’s renowned networking academy. In related news, U.S. lawmakers have voiced concerns over the erosion of safeguards on expanded wiretap powers, which allow intelligence agencies increased access to Americans’ data without sufficient oversight.
Recent developments surrounding Jeffrey Epstein have prompted WIRED to provide a comprehensive guide detailing the origins and contents of the documents being released. Additionally, doxing incidents have seen perpetrators deceiving major tech companies into disclosing sensitive user data by impersonating law enforcement with fake documents. Meanwhile, Do Kwon, founder of Terraform Labs, has received a 15-year prison sentence for fraud related to deceptive claims about cryptocurrency, resulting in approximately $40 billion in losses.
The report highlights several developments in tech and security news.
AI Toys for Kids Talk About Sex, Drugs, and Chinese Propaganda
Toy manufacturers are embedding large language models into children’s toys, allowing for interactive conversations. However, a recent investigation revealed that these AI toys discussed explicit sexual content, drug use, and even propaganda regarding the Chinese government. The study highlights a lack of safety mechanisms, with certain toys providing alarming responses to sensitive inquiries.
Travelers May Need to Submit Five Years of Social Media Data to Enter the U.S.
Due to a decline in tourism to the United States, a proposal by U.S. Customs and Border Protection suggests that visitors may have to surrender up to five years of social media history as part of their entry application. This measure would extend to travelers under the ESTA visa waiver program, encompassing several allied nations.
South Korean CEOs Resigning After Cyberattacks
Following a significant data breach affecting around 34 million customers, Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang Corp, resigned, expressing deep regret and a sense of responsibility. His departure coincides with trends among other South Korean CEOs facing accountability due to escalating cyberattacks on telecom firms.
Atlanta Man Charged for Deleting Smartphone Data Before CBP Search
In an unusual turn of events, an Atlanta man has been charged after allegedly wiping data from his Google smartphone prior to a search by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This arrest raises questions about the legality of such actions concerning personal device management.
The myriad of security news this week reflects ongoing challenges and evolving practices in the realms of technology, privacy, and governance.
