Science and Technology

British spies and SAS named in Afghan data breach

Afghan data breach uncovers British spies and SAS

A significant data breach involving the UK Ministry of Defence has led to the exposure of sensitive information belonging to over 100 British officials, including members of the special forces and intelligence services, as well as thousands of Afghan nationals. This security lapse has raised concerns about the safety of those named in the leaked files, especially Afghans who assisted British operations during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan.The event took place at the start of 2022 but was not revealed to the public until significantly later. It led to the unintentional dissemination of thousands of sensitive resettlement documents. The government…
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Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease

Newborns with DNA from three people avoid hereditary disease

An innovative medical milestone has resulted in the birth of infants conceived using the genetic material of three distinct individuals, with all indications showing they are free from the hereditary illnesses their parents might have transmitted. This extraordinary progress marks a significant advancement in the field of reproductive science and provides a ray of hope for families facing the fear of serious genetic disorders. The technique, commonly known as Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT), embodies a pioneering method to thwart the transfer of crippling diseases that stem from the cell's energy producers, the mitochondria.The heart of MRT is rooted in its…
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Hong Kong opens criminal probe into AI-generated porn scandal at city's oldest university

AI-generated porn scandal sparks criminal investigation at Hong Kong’s oldest university

Hong Kong authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into a disturbing case at the University of Hong Kong, where a male law student is accused of using artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual deepfake pornographic images of over a dozen female students and teachers. This official probe, announced recently by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, follows a significant outcry from students at the city's oldest institution, who expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they perceived as an inadequate response from the university itself. The incident sheds light on the rapidly evolving challenges posed by AI misuse and the…
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Meta investors, Zuckerberg reach settlement to end  billion trial over Facebook privacy litigation

$8 billion Facebook privacy trial settled by Meta investors, Zuckerberg

In an important advancement for Meta Platforms, its creator and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, as well as present and past board members and executives, have come to a resolution to conclude a lawsuit demanding an immense $8 billion. The litigation, initiated by investors, claimed that the defendants' carelessness resulted in continuous violations of Facebook user privacy, thus inflicting significant financial damage on the corporation through penalties and legal costs. The agreement was revealed to a judge in Delaware on Thursday, resulting in the sudden postponement of a trial that was about to start its second day.The intricacies of the complex…
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