In this tech insight, we look at how hidden metadata (embedded in files, emails, images and documents) is increasingly being used by scammers to profile, deceive and attack UK businesses, and how firms can protect themselves. What Is Metadata and Why Does It Matter to Businesses? Metadata is often described as “data about data”. It is the invisible layer…
Two former Harvard students are preparing to launch a pair of ‘always-on’ AI smart glasses that record and transcribe every conversation, which offers wearers an unprecedented digital memory and real-time information, but which also raises concerns about privacy and surveillance. Who Is Behind the Project? The device, named Halo X, has been developed by AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio,…
The UK government has backed down from its demand that Apple create a “back door” into its encrypted systems, ending a high-profile dispute that drew in Washington and sparked widespread criticism from privacy campaigners and industry experts. How the Row Began The confrontation began late last year when the UK Home Office issued Apple with a “technical capability notice” under the…
A growing number of UK companies are moving away from VPNs and adopting proxy services instead, while regulatory pressures and changing business needs reshape the digital tools used for online operations. Regulatory Drivers Behind the Shift The trigger for this apparent trend has been the UK’s Online Safety Act, which came into force on 25 July 2025. The law…
English-speaking social engineers are now among the most in-demand recruits on cybercriminal forums, with job ads more than doubling between 2024 and mid-2025, according to ReliaQuest. Often described as “impersonation-as-a-service”, criminals can now subscribe to training, scripts, and tools that make it easier to trick employees into handing over access. Groups such as Scattered Spider and ShinyHunters have used…
Japanese housing firm Lib Work has completed the country’s first 3D-printed house made primarily from soil, a development that could reshape how homes are built and raise important questions about cost, practicality and sustainability. Who Is Behind the Project? Lib Work, based in Kumamoto Prefecture, is a housing developer known for pushing new ideas in construction. The company began…
You can now connect your ChatGPT account directly to GMail and harness the power of deep-research and all the other bells-and-whistles to make your usage of GMail (and other Goole services such as you Google calendar etc) as productive as possible.
Need a quick way to make team decisions without long chat threads? WhatsApp’s built-in Poll feature lets you gather votes instantly—no admin rights required. How to: – Open a WhatsApp group chat.– Tap the paperclip icon (Android) or “+” icon (iPhone).– Select ‘Poll’, type your question and up to 12 options, then hit Send. What it’s for: Perfect for…
HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor the social media accounts of suspected tax cheats, in what it says is a targeted approach aimed at tackling fraud and reducing the UK’s tax gap. Using Algorithms The disclosure came after recent reports in The Telegraph revealed HMRC was using algorithms to flag suspicious…
The UK Government has announced the deployment of 10 new Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans across seven police forces in England, saying the move will help officers track down suspects wanted for some of the most serious crimes. What? On 13 August, the Home Office confirmed that vans equipped with live facial recognition cameras will be shared between Greater…
