Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/09/04. Our Hand-picked, AI optomized system has processed and summarized 18 articles from all over the internet to bring you the key the latest technology news.
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1. Remarkable Paper Pro Move Hands-On: A Notebook Lover’s Dream Device
The Remarkable Paper Pro Move is a digital notebook designed to appeal to users who prefer handwritten notes but want the benefits of digital storage and organization. Featuring a sleek E Ink display and low-latency pen input, it replicates the feel of paper and allows for natural handwriting and drawing. With cloud syncing and an extensive library of templates, the device aims to blend traditional note-taking with modern technology for productivity and creativity. It caters especially to professionals, students, and creatives who value a distraction-free environment while maintaining digital accessibility. The Remarkable Paper Pro Move thus represents a fusion of classic note-taking and digital innovation, positioning itself as an ideal tool for notebook enthusiasts.
2. Venezuela’s president thinks American spies can’t hack Huawei phones
Venezuela’s president claims that American intelligence agencies cannot hack Huawei phones, highlighting a belief in the security of Chinese technology. This assertion comes amidst ongoing tensions between the US and China over #cybersecurity and surveillance concerns. The president’s confidence reflects Venezuela’s alignment with China in technology use and resistance to perceived US technological dominance. This stance underscores a broader geopolitical contest where nations leverage tech sovereignty to resist external surveillance. The situation illustrates how #telecommunications devices like those from @Huawei have become central to international trust and security debates.
3. Former NASA chief says United States likely to lose second lunar space race
In a hearing led by @Ted_Cruz, lawmakers warned that canceling #SLS and #LunarGateway would be ill-advised and could undermine the Artemis program. Former NASA administrator @JimBridenstine said that unless changes are made, it is highly unlikely the U.S. will beat China to the Moon’s surface. Panel members also criticized NASA’s reliance on Starship-based lunar lander architecture, arguing the plan is too complex and depends on repeated tanker launches. The discussion highlighted a broader challenge, with China aiming to land humans at the Moon’s South Pole before 2030. Overall, the hearing signals strong congressional intent to protect funding for #SLS, #Orion, and #LunarGateway and keep Artemis on pace, even as the United States confronts a competitive lunar landscape.
Texas wells emit methane at scale and expose nearby residents to toxic gas even as @Trump promotes a cleaner U.S. oil industry. Regulators approved the vast majority of requests to burn or vent unused gas, with only 53 of more than 12,000 applications rejected, a pattern that undercuts cleaner-energy claims. Residents near Catarina report persistent flaring and odors of hydrogen sulfide (‘burnt eggs’), highlighting health concerns from wells that expel gas close to homes. The investigation links economic incentives, including potential tax revenue losses from flaring, to regulatory practices that permit widespread emissions, challenging the #EarthDay narrative and #gasflaring alongside U.S. energy exports as cleaner. Taken together, the reporting points to a disconnect between official rhetoric and on-the-ground emissions, with impacts on communities and state finances.
5. Automated Sextortion Spyware Takes Webcam Pics of Victims Watching Porn
Stealerium, an open-source infostealer, automates sextortion by monitoring a target’s browser for NSFW content, then capturing simultaneous screenshots of relevant browser tabs and a webcam photo while the user views porn, and sending these images to the attacker. @SelenaLarson of Proofpoint notes that this feature adds a new layer of privacy invasion beyond traditional data theft, turning a manual crime into an automated capability. Proofpoint’s analysis shows Stealerium is distributed as a free tool on Github by the developer ‘witchfindertr’ and has appeared in campaigns since May, often delivered via phishing emails that mimic invoices or payments. Once installed, the malware exfiltrates a wide range of data—banking details, usernames and passwords, and crypto-wallet keys—alongside the NSFW surveillance through channels like Telegram, Discord, or SMTP in various variants. The porn-monitoring logic relies on customizable keyword lists and triggers to capture browser activity and webcam imagery, enabling potential blackmail even if the victim never intended to share sensitive content. This case illustrates how open-source infostealer tools can escalate privacy abuses and be repurposed for sextortion, underscoring ongoing risks from automated surveillance malware.
6. Mis-issued certificates for 1.1.1.1 DNS service pose a threat to the Internet
Three TLS certificates issued for Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS service could enable active man-in-the-middle attacks on DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS traffic, posing a threat to Internet trust. They were issued in May by Fina RDC 2020, a subordinate to Fina Root CA that is trusted by the @Microsoft Root Certificate Program, and two of the certificates remained valid when the issue was disclosed. If misused, these certificates could allow attackers to decrypt, view, and tamper with traffic to the Cloudflare DNS service, illustrating a weakness in the #PKI that underpins the Internet. Cloudflare, @Microsoft, and supervisory bodies are moving to revoke or block trust in the affected certs, while @Google and @Mozilla say Chrome and Firefox never trusted them and @Apple notes Safari relies on a different authority, underscoring the need for tighter issuance and revocation controls.
7. EchoStar Fallout: About 500 Boost Network Jobs Get Axed
EchoStar’s fallout has led to the elimination of approximately 500 jobs at #BoostMobile’s network division, significantly impacting the workforce. This reduction follows operational changes stemming from the T-Mobile and Sprint merger, which necessitated job cuts to consolidate network infrastructure and improve efficiency. The layoffs reflect broader industry trends where mergers result in workforce reductions to optimize costs and streamline services. The elimination of these positions highlights the ongoing challenges faced by telecommunications companies in managing transitions and integrating networks during major corporate changes. This situation exemplifies the complex balance between corporate restructuring and employment stability in the evolving wireless sector.
8. US offers $10 million bounty for info on Russian FSB hackers
The US government announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or location of two Russian FSB hackers linked to cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in the US. These hackers are accused of exploiting software vulnerabilities to conduct espionage and ransomware attacks, potentially threatening national security. The bounty highlights the increasing focus on countering state-sponsored cyber threats by incentivizing individuals to provide intelligence on malicious actors. This initiative underlines the US commitment to disrupting cybercriminal activities connected to foreign intelligence services, reinforcing efforts to protect key sectors from cyber intrusions. The reward aims to gather actionable intelligence to mitigate threats posed by these skilled adversaries.
9. APT28 Targets Outlook Users with NotDoor Backdoor
The cyber espionage group APT28 has deployed a new backdoor called NotDoor, targeting Microsoft Outlook users to gain persistent access to victims’ systems. NotDoor operates stealthily by hiding its presence in legitimate-looking applications and communicates with command-and-control servers to execute malicious commands. The group exploits Outlook vulnerabilities to embed the backdoor, allowing data exfiltration and espionage activities relevant to state-sponsored intelligence gathering. This development highlights the ongoing risks posed by sophisticated threat actors using targeted backdoors against widely used software, underlining the need for enterprises to strengthen endpoint security measures. Organizations should monitor unusual Outlook behavior and apply patches to mitigate threats from APT28 and similar groups.
Scale AI has filed a lawsuit against a former sales employee, Eugene Ling, and its rival Mercor, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract in an effort to win Scale’s biggest customers, including one referred to as Customer A. The complaint says Ling stole more than 100 confidential documents about Scale’s customer strategies and other proprietary information and had attempted to pitch Mercor to Customer A before leaving Scale. Scale is seeking a full list of files in the personal drive and to stop Ling from engaging with Customer A, while Mercor denies using Scale data and says Ling may have had some old files in a personal Google Drive, which Mercor did not access; Mercor says it offered to have Ling destroy the files or resolve the matter, according to @SuryaMidha. Ling posted on X saying there was no nefarious intent and that he left Scale to join Mercor. The case highlights tensions in the AI data-services sector around talent poaching and protection of customer relationships, with high stakes if a rival wins a major client, potentially worth millions #tradeSecrets #misappropriation #poaching #CustomerA
Roblox will expand its facial age estimation technology to all users, combining selfie analysis with #ID verification and parental consent to estimate age more accurately and guide access to features. It plans systems that restrict adult-minor communication unless they know each other in real life, aiming to provide developmentally appropriate experiences. The move comes amid regulatory pressure and public criticism that Roblox is unsafe for kids, with critics like @Liz Murrill arguing the platform endangers children and calls for stronger protections. While Roblox casts the technology as a standard-setting safety measure, questions remain about accuracy, privacy, and the potential for evasion, underscoring broader debates about age verification in online services.
12. Google Pixel’s September 2025 drop will bring more expressive Material You design
Google plans to enhance its Material You design language in the September 2025 Pixel Drop with more expressive features. The update aims to further customize the user interface by expanding the dynamic theming options introduced in Android 12. These enhancements will allow users to personalize icons, colors, and overall device aesthetics more deeply. This move signifies Google’s commitment to evolving #MaterialDesign principles in response to user preferences for personalization and visual diversity. Ultimately, the Pixel Drop seeks to strengthen user engagement by offering a richer, more tailored UI experience.
13. FCC chair teams up with Ted Cruz to block Wi-Fi hotspots for schoolkids
@BrendanCarr teams up with @TedCruz to block funding for #WiFi hotspots for schoolchildren, moving to reverse Biden-era decisions on the program. Carr asks colleagues to vote on two actions: a declaratory ruling overturning the 2023 decision to fund unsupervised Wi‑Fi on school buses and an order reversing the 2024 decision to fund hotspots used outside schools and libraries. The plan would direct Universal Service Fund administrators to deny 2025 E-Rate funding for off-premises hotspot use, while not precluding a future FCC chair from reviving the program. Critics, including @AnnaGomez, say the move would cut connectivity for millions of students and seniors and widen the digital divide, while supporters urge Congress to codify changes via the #CRA. The episode underscores ongoing policy tensions between curbing pandemic-era spending and preserving access to broadband for education and health needs.
14. Apple Plans AI Search Engine for Siri to Rival OpenAI, Google as Siri Talks Advance
Apple is developing a new AI-powered search engine designed to enhance Siri’s capabilities and compete directly with OpenAI and Google. The initiative aims to create a more sophisticated conversational AI experience by integrating advanced search and generative AI technologies. Sources familiar with Apple’s plans indicate ongoing talks and strategic development to position Siri as a leading AI assistant. This move reflects Apple’s commitment to expanding its AI ecosystem and improving user interaction with intelligent personal assistants. The development could shift the competitive landscape among top AI and tech companies, emphasizing Apple’s focus on innovation in AI search and voice technologies.
15. Apple’s Siri upgrade could reportedly be powered by Google Gemini
Apple is reportedly considering using #Google’s advanced AI model, Gemini, to power its upcoming #Siri upgrade. This collaboration may help Apple enhance Siri’s conversational abilities and competitiveness against other AI assistants. Evidence suggests that Apple’s interest in Gemini aligns with its strategy to improve AI integration while balancing its ecosystem’s privacy expectations. This move could signify a notable shift in Apple’s approach to AI by leveraging external advanced technology to accelerate innovation. Such collaboration indicates an evolving AI landscape where leading tech companies might blend strengths to deliver superior user experiences.
16. Instagram is coming to iPad, 15 years later
The iPad version of Instagram is launching September 3, 2025, built specifically for Apple tablets and opening to a Reels first feed #Reels. It retains Stories at the top and adds a Following tab with feeds that resemble the mobile experience and a chronological option for still images. The bigger screen allows comments to appear beside full size Reels and the DMs page to show inbox and chats side by side, echoing the desktop Messenger layout. Meta has extended Reels features, including longer clips, reposting and fast forwarding, and hints Android tablets will get a similar update, signaling a broader push toward tablet use of #short-form-video. The move follows TikTok regulatory pressure and evolving demand among tablet users, with @Adam Mosseri previously noting the iPad audience was not large enough to prioritize, now adjusted by shifts in user base and competition #AndroidTablet.
17. France hits Google with $381 million fine for consumer protection failures
France’s consumer watchdog has fined Google 381 million euros for failing to properly inform users about its data collection practices, specifically regarding the use of cookies. The regulatory body argued that Google did not offer a clear and simple way to refuse cookies, which violates European consumer protection rules. This fine highlights increased enforcement of digital privacy laws in the European Union, reflecting growing concerns about user consent and transparency. The decision underscores the challenges tech giants face in balancing data-driven business models with evolving privacy regulations. It also signals that regulators are likely to continue holding companies accountable for compliance with consumer protection standards.
18. Supermarket giant Tesco sues VMware for breach of contract
Tesco has sued @VMware for breach of contract, with @Computacenter named as a co-defendant, seeking at least £100 million in damages and warning that unresolved issues could disrupt Tesco’s ability to stock groceries. The filing says Tesco acquired perpetual licenses for #vSphereFoundation and #CloudFoundation plus subscriptions to #Tanzu in January 2021, and a contract for support and software upgrades running to 2026 with an option to extend for four years. It argues that after @Broadcom acquired @VMware it stopped selling support for perpetual licenses and pushed subscription-based pricing, making it difficult or impossible to obtain standalone Virtualisation Support Services without duplicative subscriptions. The complaint also cites Broadcom’s #patchPublicationPolicy, claiming non-subscription users miss updates, and notes VMware software underpins around 40,000 server workloads and is essential to Tesco’s stores and tills. Tesco says @Broadcom, @VMware and @Computacenter are liable for at least £100 million in damages and that the longer the dispute lasts, the higher the damages, illustrating a wider clash over perpetual licenses and support seen in other cases like AT&T.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/09/04! We picked, and processed 18 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀