The Danger Lurking Just Below Ukraine’s Surface
The widespread use of mines has left Ukrainians scrambling to find ways to clear the explosives. New efforts to develop mine-clearing technology may help them push back Russia’s invading forces.
Security / Security News
How to Not Get Scammed Out of $50,000
Plus: State-backed hackers test out generative AI, the US takes down a major Russian military botnet, and 100 hospitals in Romania go offline amid a major ransomware attack.
Leak of Russian ‘Threat’ Part of a Bid to Kill US Surveillance Reform, Sources Say
A surprise disclosure of a national security threat by the House Intelligence chair was part of an effort to block legislation that aimed to limit cops and spies from buying Americans’ private data.
Section 702 Surveillance Fight Pits the White House Opposite Reproductive Rights
Prominent advocates for the rights of pregnant people are urging members of Congress to support legislation that would ban warrantless access to sensitive data as the White House fights against it.
‘AI Girlfriends’ Are a Privacy Nightmare
Romantic chatbots collect huge amounts of data, provide vague information about how they use it, use weak password protections, and aren’t transparent, new research from Mozilla says.
A Backroom Deal Looms Over Section 702 Surveillance Fight
Top congressional lawmakers are meeting in private to discuss the future of a widely unpopular surveillance program, worrying members devoted to reforming Section 702.
Satellite Images Point to Indiscriminate Israeli Attacks on Gaza’s Health Care Facilities
New research finds that Israel’s attacks on Gaza damaged hospitals and other medical facilities at the same rate as other buildings, potentially in violation of international law.
How 3 Million ‘Hacked’ Toothbrushes Became a Cyber Urban Legend
Plus: China’s Volt Typhoon hackers lurked in US systems for years, the Biden administration’s crackdown on spyware vendors ramps up, and a new pro-Beijing disinformation campaign gets exposed.
London Underground Is Testing Real-Time AI Surveillance Tools to Spot Crime
In a test at one station, Transport for London used a computer vision system to try and detect crime and weapons, people falling on the tracks, and fare dodgers, documents obtained by WIRED show.
Ransomware Payments Hit a Record $1.1 Billion in 2023
After a slowdown in payments to ransomware gangs in 2022, last year saw total ransom payouts jump to their highest level yet, according to a new report from crypto-tracing firm Chainalysis.