Governance/Regulation/Legislation

New UK rules target foreign influence and crypto donations

(DigWatch) The UK government has announced sweeping reforms to political donations, introducing a £100,000 annual cap on contributions from overseas electors. The move targets concerns that individuals living abroad could exert disproportionate financial influence on domestic politics. Cryptocurrency donations have also been banned with immediate effect, reflecting fears over anonymity and the difficulty of tracing funds. Authorities warn that digital assets risk enabling untraceable political funding until stronger regulation is in place. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-target-foreign-influence-and-crypto-donations

ICO and Ofcom issue guidance on age assurance and online safety

(DigWatch) The Information Commissioner’s Office and Ofcom have issued a joint statement outlining how age assurance measures should align with online safety and data protection requirements. A guidance that focuses on protecting children from harm online instead of treating safety and privacy as separate obligations, reflecting closer coordination between the two regulators. The statement is directed at digital services likely to be accessed by children and falling within the scope of the Online Safety Act and UK data protection laws. – https://dig.watch/updates/ico-and-ofcom-issue-guidance-on-age-assurance-and-online-safety

UK tests social media bans for children in national pilot

(DigWatch) The UK government has launched a large-scale pilot programme to test social media restrictions in the homes of 300 teenagers, aiming to improve children’s well-being instead of relying solely on existing digital safety measures. The initiative, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and supported by Liz Kendall, will run for six weeks and examine how limits on digital platforms affect young people’s daily lives, including sleep, schoolwork, and family relationships. Families across the UK will be divided into groups testing different approaches. Some parents will block access to social media entirely, while others will introduce a one-hour daily limit on popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-tests-social-media-bans-for-children

EU watchdogs launch GDPR transparency sweep

(DigWatch) The European Data Protection Board has launched a Europe-wide enforcement initiative to examine transparency and information obligations under the GDPR. The programme forms part of its Coordinated Enforcement Framework for 2026. Twenty-five national data protection authorities will assess how organisations inform people about the processing of their personal data. Reviews will involve formal investigations and fact-finding exercises across multiple sectors. – https://dig.watch/updates/eu-watchdogs-launch-gdpr-transparency-sweep

CFTC launches AI and crypto innovation task force

(DigWatch) The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent agency of the United States federal government, announced the creation of an Innovation Task Force to support the development of new technologies in US derivatives markets. Chairman Michael S. Selig leads the initiative and focuses on establishing clear regulatory approaches. The task force will work with the Innovation Advisory Committee to develop frameworks covering crypto assets, blockchain technologies, AI and autonomous systems, and prediction markets. Authorities said the aim is to provide clarity for innovators building new financial products. – https://dig.watch/updates/cftc-launches-ai-and-crypto-innovation-task-force

National AI readiness initiative introduced in the US

(DigWatch) The US National Science Foundation has introduced the NSF TechAccess: AI-Ready America initiative to expand access to AI education, tools, and training. The programme is designed to ensure workers, businesses, and communities can actively participate in the growing AI-driven economy. Federal collaboration forms a core part of the initiative, bringing together the Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Department of Labour, and the Small Business Administration. – https://dig.watch/updates/ai-readiness-initiative-introduced-in-the-us

Scotland publishes AI guidance for schools

(DigWatch) The Scottish government has published national guidance on the use of AI in schools, aiming to support the safe and ethical adoption of AI in classrooms. The document provides advice for teachers and pupils as AI use continues to expand across society. The guidance outlines potential benefits of AI alongside risks that need to be considered, and includes examples of appropriate classroom use. It was developed with the EIS teaching union, local government and Education Scotland. – https://dig.watch/updates/scotland-publishes-ai-guidance-for-schools

Security/Surveillance

Iran-Linked Pay2Key Ransomware Group Re-Emerges

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine) Security experts have warned that an Iranian ransomware group has returned with enhanced evasion, execution and anti-forensics capabilities. Previously linked to Tehran and usually targeting victims aligned with the regime’s interests, Pay2Key has been active since 2020. However, a new report from Halcyon and Beazley Security warned that “recent US-Iran tensions appear to have accelerated activity from the group.”- The report dissected a new attack on a US healthcare provider which appeared to show an evolving set of TTPs. –  https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/iranlinked-pay2key-ransomware/

Coruna exploit reveals evolution of Triangulation iOS exploitation framework

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Kaspersky researchers discovered that the Coruna iOS exploit kit uses an updated version of the same kernel exploit seen in the 2023 Operation Triangulation campaign. While early evidence didn’t clearly link the two, the code similarities now suggest a possible connection between them, though shared vulnerabilities alone don’t definitively prove the same actors are behind both attacks. In early March, Google’s Threat Intelligence Group identified a powerful new iOS exploit kit called Coruna (also known as CryptoWaters) that targets Apple iPhones running iOS versions 13.0 through 17.2.1. The kit includes five full exploit chains and a total of 23 exploits. While highly capable against iPhones running iOS 13.0 through 17.2.1versions, Coruna is ineffective against the latest iOS release, according to Google. – https://securityaffairs.com/190010/security/coruna-exploit-reveals-evolution-of-triangulation-ios-exploitation-framework.html

Researchers uncover WebRTC skimmer bypassing traditional defenses

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Sansec researchers discovered a new payment skimmer that uses WebRTC data channels instead of typical web requests to load malicious code and exfiltrate stolen payment data. “What sets this attack apart is the skimmer itself. Instead of the usual HTTP requests or image beacons, this malware uses WebRTC DataChannels to load its payload and exfiltrate stolen payment data.” reported Sansec. “This is the first time Sansec has observed WebRTC used as a skimming channel.”. This technique helps it evade standard security defenses, making detection more difficult compared to traditional skimmers. The researchers pointed out that WebRTC connections are not controlled by standard Content Security Policy rules, allowing attackers to bypass protections even on secure sites. Since support for WebRTC-specific controls is limited and rarely used, most sites remain exposed. – https://securityaffairs.com/190002/malware/researchers-uncover-webrtc-skimmer-bypassing-traditional-defenses.html

Defence/Intelligence/Warfare

How AI is being used in the Iran war

(Riley Callanan – GZero) Syria was the first social media war, where the Syrian government harnessed the power of social media to spread misinformation. Ukraine was the first drone war, taking combat beyond the trenches. Now, the Iran conflict is the first artificial intelligence war, as the world’s strongest military embraces the technology. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, said earlier this month the Pentagon was “leveraging a variety of advanced AI tools” to sift through “vast amounts of data in seconds” and make “smarter decisions faster than the enemy can react.” Here’s how AI is being used in the conflict so far. –  https://www.gzeromedia.com/news/analysis/how-ai-is-being-used-in-the-iran-war

Germany weighs buying Australian-made combat drones

(Chris Lunday – Politico) Germany is considering buying an Australian-made combat drone, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday, in what could make Berlin the first foreign customer of the system. Speaking at Australia’s National Press Club, Pistorius said a purchase of the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is “under consideration,” signaling growing German interest in drones that can operate alongside fighter jets. The unmanned aircraft is designed to fly with jets like the F-35, carrying sensors, jammers or weapons while taking on riskier missions ahead of human pilots. – https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-weighs-buying-australian-made-combat-drone/

Frontiers

Quantum readiness gains momentum according to OECD report

(DigWatch) The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) highlights how businesses are preparing for quantum computing, recognising it as a transformative technology instead of relying solely on conventional computing methods. Quantum readiness is framed as a long-term capability-building effort in which firms gradually develop skills, infrastructure, and partnerships to explore commercial applications while navigating uncertainty. Drawing on research, surveys, and interviews with public and private organisations across 10 countries, the OECD identifies both the practical steps companies take to build readiness and the barriers that slow adoption. – https://dig.watch/updates/quantum-readiness-gains-momentum-according-to-oecd-report

Malaysia launches AI platform Rakan Tani to support farmers and stabilise incomes

(DigWatch) The National AI Office (NAIO), through its NAIO Lab, is advancing Malaysia’s AI-driven development by building an ecosystem that supports innovation, collaboration, and startups. NAIO Lab aims to position the country as a hub for AI innovation where developers can experiment and create practical solutions. Rakan Tani, the first project under NAIO Lab, is an AI-powered digital platform designed to transform the agricultural sector. It connects farmers with buyers early in the crop cycle and uses AI-driven order matching to help secure competitive prices and improve financial predictability – https://dig.watch/updates/malaysia-launches-ai-platform-rakan-tani-to-support-farmers-and-stabilise-incomes