Starlink connectivity in Iran declined sharply during a nationwide internet shutdown, according to digital monitoring data that tracked a collapse in overall traffic and satellite-linked connections. The disruption marked a rare instance in which satellite internet appeared to be affected alongside conventional networks.

Analysts cited by monitoring groups described the incident as potentially involving electronic warfare techniques rather than standard censorship. Starlink terminals rely on GPS signals to authenticate and connect with satellites, and interference with those signals could disrupt service without damaging space-based infrastructure. Observers noted that connectivity appeared uneven, with some areas retaining limited access while others went dark.

Claims ...

China has announced new app privacy regulations aimed at strengthening personal data protection and curbing excessive data collection by mobile applications. The rules introduce stricter limits on how apps gather, use and share user information, reflecting Beijing’s broader push to tighten oversight of the technology sector.

Under the updated framework, app developers will be required to minimise the amount of personal data they collect and clearly justify why specific information is needed for core functions. Stronger user consent requirements have also been introduced, alongside clearer disclosures about data usage and sharing practices.

The regulations will be enforced by Cyberspace Administration of China, ...

Renewed scrutiny has fallen on Elon Musk’s social media platform X following reports that its AI chatbot Grok can be used to generate realistic deepfake images. Critics say the technology risks being misused to create misleading or harmful content, including manipulated images of public figures.

Experts warn that while generative AI tools have legitimate applications, weak guardrails can make it easier for users to produce deceptive material that spreads rapidly online. They argue that deepfakes pose challenges for trust, consent and public understanding, particularly during periods of political or social tension.

X has said it is reviewing its policies and technical controls ...

Concerns have intensified after users reported the spread of AI-generated “nudified” images on X, created using tools linked to xAI’s chatbot Grok. The images, which depict people in sexualised ways without their consent, have prompted renewed scrutiny of how artificial intelligence tools are deployed and moderated on social media platforms.

Technology experts and legal specialists warn that existing laws struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving generative AI systems. While some jurisdictions already criminalise the creation or distribution of non-consensual intimate images, enforcement becomes more complex when content is synthetic rather than real. Campaigners argue that the harm to individuals is ...

Nvidia has announced an expansion of its cloud gaming service, GeForce Now, with the launch of native apps for Linux systems and Amazon Fire TV devices.

The move is designed to make PC gaming more accessible by allowing users to stream games directly from the cloud, reducing the need for expensive hardware upgrades at a time when component prices, including RAM, remain high. Linux users will no longer need to rely on browser-based access, while Fire TV owners will be able to turn compatible streaming sticks into cloud gaming devices.

Nvidia said the updates are part of a broader effort to extend ...