Tech Today: AI Governance, Data Breaches, and Space Race
Today's tech news covers AI safety controls, election data security concerns, a major breach in Texas, geopolitical tensions around SpaceX, Telegram's India ban, and a new competitor for Mars missions.
Who decides when AI is too dangerous?
Anthropic took its Fable 5 model offline after the US government imposed export controls that restricted foreign nationals—including those working at Anthropic in the US—from accessing the model and its underlying Mythos system. Read more: Who decides when AI is too dangerous?
The midterms are going to be a data security nightmare
Privacy and election security experts are raising concerns about the Department of Homeland Security's expanded SAVE Program, warning that the database could erroneously flag legitimate voters while creating new risks of data breaches and voter intimidation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Read more: The midterms are going to be a data security nightmare
Texas government data breach allowed hackers to steal 3 million driver's licenses and passports
A significant data breach at a Texas government agency has compromised the personal identification data of over three million individuals, including driver's licenses and passports. Read more: Texas government data breach allowed hackers to steal 3 million driver's licenses and passports
Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes
Investigation reveals that Chinese investors secretly acquired stakes in SpaceX before its IPO, with at least one previously unreported investor having ties to Chinese military contractors, raising potential national security concerns. Read more: Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes
Telegram ban in India sparks a rush to VPNs, rival apps
India's ban on Telegram has prompted millions of users to seek alternatives, with VPN downloads spiking and rival messaging apps gaining traction. Telegram maintains that authorities should target specific content rather than blocking the entire platform. Read more: Telegram ban in India sparks a rush to VPNs, rival apps
NASA picks Eric Schmidt's rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX
NASA has selected Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space for an upcoming Mars mission, positioning the company as a direct competitor to SpaceX in the race to the Red Planet. Read more: NASA picks Eric Schmidt's rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX