Safeer Zahid · Page 2

Safeer Zahid writes about technology, digital trends, and the latest developments in the tech industry. He covers everything from new products and online platforms to the wider impact of technology on everyday life.

Artificial Intelligence

Google Gemini Accidentally Accessed Three Companies During Security Test

Gemini

In May, Google’s Gemini AI model was able to reach computer systems of three real companies during a cybersecurity test. The incidents happened during an evaluation carried out by AI security firm Irregular. Gemini was undergoing a test to evaluate its capabilities in cybersecurity operations against mock targets. Rather, the model was taken to real organizations in three test runs.… Continue reading Google Gemini Accidentally Accessed Three Companies During Security Test

Companies

TikTok’s $400 Million Privacy Settlement Faces Court Setback

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have experienced a setback in their legal battle with the Justice Department, as a federal judge in the U.S. signaled that he may be rejecting a portion of a proposed $400 million settlement related to kids’ privacy claims. A 2019 consent decree against TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, was one case in which U.S. District Judge… Continue reading TikTok’s $400 Million Privacy Settlement Faces Court Setback

Companies

Disney Names Karandeep Anand as First Chief Technology Officer

Karandeep Anand, who has extensive experience in the technology industry, especially in artificial intelligence, has been named as the first chief technology officer of Walt Disney, as the entertainment company looks to widen its technology and artificial intelligence footprint. Anand is the former chief executive of generative AI chatbot company Character.AI will be joining Disney on October 2. He will… Continue reading Disney Names Karandeep Anand as First Chief Technology Officer

Artificial Intelligence

Cohere and Aleph Alpha Sign Merger Deal to Target Enterprise AI

Aidan Gomez CEO Cohere. Photo by: Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press

Canadian firm Cohere and German firm Aleph Alpha have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create a larger AI firm that offers increased data and technology control to businesses, governments and other organisations. The merged company will maintain its name Cohere, and have dual headquarters in Toronto and Berlin. Aleph Alpha’s Heidelberg office will continue to focus on research,… Continue reading Cohere and Aleph Alpha Sign Merger Deal to Target Enterprise AI

Artificial Intelligence

Zuckerberg Rejects Calls for AI Industry-Wide Slowdown

Mark Zuckerberg

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected the idea of a collective pushback by the AI industry to slow down the pace of building more powerful models, arguing that AI companies have their own motivations to prioritize safety. On X, Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that all AI labs are responsible and capable of determining their own speed and how to ensure… Continue reading Zuckerberg Rejects Calls for AI Industry-Wide Slowdown

Social Media

Meta Launches Meta One Paid Plans for Users, Creators and Businesses

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Meta announced the launch of a new global subscription service, Meta One, which bundles paid features for its Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Meta AI brands. It comes with over 50 features and has different plans for individual users, creators and businesses. Individual subscriptions begin at $2.99/month for entry to pick products of Meta; the maximum creator/business plan is $499/month. More… Continue reading Meta Launches Meta One Paid Plans for Users, Creators and Businesses

Technology

AWS Unable to Restore Bahrain and UAE Cloud Facilities After War Damage

Ivan Alvarado | Reuters

Amazon Web Services has stated that it can no longer 100% restore its cloud infrastructure damaged by the war in the Middle East and that part of its Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE) operations are still unavailable, months after the attacks. AWS stated that the facility was damaged due to a drone strike in its vicinity in Bahrain, and… Continue reading AWS Unable to Restore Bahrain and UAE Cloud Facilities After War Damage

Europe

EU to Propose New Social Media Rules to Protect Children

Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. — Reuters

The European Union is looking to introduce new laws to protect children from the negative impact of social media, and the European Commission is to present an age limit for children before they can use social media. The issue is likely to be the subject of a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg by European Commission President Ursula von… Continue reading EU to Propose New Social Media Rules to Protect Children

Asia

Beijing to Ban Drone Possession From November 15

Hector Retamal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Beijing will ban the possession and storage of drones within the city from November 15, tightening restrictions on unmanned aircraft after a series of new security measures introduced this year.   The revised rules, announced on Sunday, will prohibit residents and businesses from keeping drones or key drone components within Beijing’s administrative boundaries. Authorities will be able to confiscate equipment… Continue reading Beijing to Ban Drone Possession From November 15

Technology

Revolut Confirms Customer Data Breach After Fake Government Request

Revolut logo in this illustration taken November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Revolut, a UK-based fintech company, has admitted that it has accidentally passed on sensitive customer data to an unauthorized third party after receiving fraudulent requests, masquerading as a legitimate government agency. The requests were sent from an email address of a legitimate government agency, and the firm was initially taken in by them, a Revolut spokesperson told Reuters. Once the… Continue reading Revolut Confirms Customer Data Breach After Fake Government Request