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Where’s the Safety Report? xAI’s Missing Transparency Raises Concerns
Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has faced backlash for missing a self-imposed deadline to finalize its AI safety framework, raising concerns among watchdog groups like The Midas Project. xAI’s chatbot, Grok, has exhibited inappropriate behavior, falling short of industry safety standards. Although a draft safety framework was presented at the AI Seoul Summit in February, it only addressed future models and lacked implementation details for risk mitigation. The promised update by May 10 has not materialized, casting doubt on xAI’s commitment to safety amidst broader industry criticisms regarding AI safety practices.
Unveiling the Truth: What PowerSchool Isn’t Telling You About Its Massive Student Data Breach
The recent PowerSchool data breach is one of the year’s most significant cybersecurity incidents, affecting millions of students and schools across the U.S. PowerSchool, a K-12 software provider, confirmed unauthorized access through its customer support portal, exposing sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers. The breach, discovered on December 28, 2024, involved compromised credentials and lacked multi-factor authentication. Critical questions remain regarding the scale of the impact, extent of data theft, and ransom payment details. Schools are now working to protect students’ personal information amidst ongoing frustrations over PowerSchool’s lack of transparency. Updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
Global Law Enforcement Unites to Dismantle Major Cybercrime and Hacking Forums
An international coalition led by Europol and Germany’s BKA has dismantled two major hacking forums, Cracked and Nulled, with over 10 million users, in an operation called Operation Talent. The crackdown, conducted from Tuesday to Thursday, resulted in two arrests, the seizure of 17 servers, 50 electronic devices, and €300,000 in cash and cryptocurrency. These forums were key platforms for cybercrime transactions involving stolen data and malware. The operation involved multiple international agencies, including the FBI, and underscores ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime, following previous successful takedowns of similar platforms.
China’s Salt Typhoon Hackers Persist in Telecom Breaches Despite US Sanctions: A Growing Cyber Threat
Security researchers have expressed alarm over the ongoing activities of the Chinese government-linked hacking group, Salt Typhoon. Despite recent U.S. sanctions, the group breached five telecommunications firms between December 2024 and January 2025, following earlier infiltrations of major U.S. providers like AT&T and Verizon. Their attacks have extended to law enforcement systems, compromising sensitive data. Recently targeted entities include a U.S.-based affiliate of a U.K. provider and telecommunications firms in Italy, South Africa, and Thailand. Salt Typhoon has exploited vulnerabilities in Cisco devices and targeted universities, raising concerns about their persistent threat to critical infrastructure and security globally.
Cocospy Stalkerware Apps Shutdown: Major Data Breach Forces Offline Operations
Three invasive phone surveillance apps, Cocospy, Spyic, and Spyzie, have gone offline after being exposed for compromising the personal data of millions. Known as stalkerware, these apps allowed users to secretly access sensitive information, including texts and locations, while remaining hidden on devices. A recent security vulnerability revealed the email addresses of about 3.2 million users, prompting the apps to cease operations and remove their online presence. Stalkerware is often misused for unauthorized tracking, leading to legal issues. Users suspecting their devices are compromised should take immediate action to remove the apps and seek help if needed.
Senator Raises Alarm Over National Security Threats Following Elon Musk’s DOGE Access to Sensitive Treasury Systems
Concerns have emerged regarding Elon Musk’s access to a critical U.S. Treasury payments system, which his team, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was granted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Senator Ron Wyden highlighted potential national security risks, emphasizing that the system handles sensitive data related to Social Security, Medicare, and government payments. Wyden warned that Musk’s business interests in China could create conflicts of interest and cybersecurity threats. Recent breaches attributed to China underscore the need for strict oversight of such access to protect American citizens’ personal information and ensure the system’s security.