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Cybersecurity

Government Bans WhatsApp on US House Devices Citing Security Risks

The U.S. government has banned WhatsApp from devices used by U.S. House of Representatives staff due to potential security risks. The Office of Cybersecurity cited a lack of transparency in user data protection, absence of stored data encryption, and other security risks. Staff are recommended to use apps like Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Microsoft Teams instead. Meta reported disrupting a hacking campaign targeting WhatsApp users in January, linked to Israeli spyware maker Paragon Solutions, acquired by a U.S. private equity firm. Several countries are suspected to be customers of Paragon's spyware.

Autonomous Vehicles

Waymo Robotaxis Now Available in Atlanta via Uber

Waymo and Uber have expanded their "Waymo on Uber" robotaxi service to Atlanta, initially covering about 65 square miles. This follows their successful launch in Austin. Uber users can opt-in to be matched with a Waymo robotaxi, which will cost the same as UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric.

Uber manages the charging, maintenance, and cleaning of the autonomous vehicles, while Waymo monitors the technology and autonomous operations. Waymo currently provides 250,000 paid robotaxi rides every week across Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco. The addition of Atlanta should increase those numbers.

The fleet in Atlanta is in the “dozens” and will be expanded over time. Riders use the Uber app to unlock the vehicle, open the trunk, and start the trip.

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI and io's AI Device: A Glimpse into Early Development

Legal filings reveal that OpenAI and Jony Ive's io are actively developing a mass-market AI hardware device. This comes amidst a trademark dispute with iyO, a Google-backed hardware startup.

Key activities include:

Extensive research into in-ear hardware devices, with purchases of at least 30 headphone sets.
Meetings with iyO's leadership to demo their in-ear technology.
Exploration of various device form factors, including desktop-based, mobile, wearable, and portable options.

The first device may not be an in-ear product and is at least a year away from release. OpenAI aims to create a 'third device' for users, complementing smartphones and laptops, fully aware of its surroundings.

iyO attempted to collaborate with OpenAI, offering their in-ear device as a developer kit and even proposing a $200 million acquisition, but these offers were declined.

Cybersecurity

Espionage Alert: China-Backed Hackers Target Canadian Telecoms

The Canadian government and the FBI have issued a joint advisory regarding malicious cyber activity targeting telecommunication companies across Canada. The intrusions are attributed to Salt Typhoon, a hacking group backed by China.

At least one Canadian telecommunications company was hacked in mid-February, with hackers manipulating Cisco routers to collect network traffic stealthily.

Salt Typhoon has a history of targeting U.S. phone giants, internet providers, and datacenter hosts as part of a broader espionage campaign focused on intelligence gathering on senior U.S. government officials.

The advisory warns that Salt Typhoon will likely continue targeting Canadian organizations for the next two years. The group is also believed to be preparing for a potential future invasion of Taiwan by China.

Artificial Intelligence

Harvey AI Secures $300M in Series E Funding, Valuation Soars to $5 Billion

Harvey AI, specializing in AI-powered legal automation, has successfully raised $300 million in Series E funding, elevating its valuation to $5 billion. The funding round was jointly led by Kleiner Perkins and Coatue, with participation from existing investors.

This financial boost arrives just four months after a previous $300 million Series D round led by Sequoia, which valued the company at $3 billion. Harvey AI intends to use the new funds to expand its team significantly, planning to double its current workforce of 340 employees.

The expansion aims to support the development of AI products for professional services beyond the legal field, including tax accounting. Currently, Harvey AI's solutions are utilized by 337 legal clients to assist in document review and contract drafting. The company has experienced rapid growth, reaching an annualized run-rate revenue of $75 million in April, up from $50 million earlier in the year.

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon's AI-Enhanced Alexa+ Reaches Over a Million Users in Early Access

Amazon's upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, powered by generative AI, has expanded to over a million users through its waitlist program. Currently in early access, Alexa+ offers more natural and personalized interactions, improved smart home integration, and expanded AI capabilities. While free during early access and eventually for Prime customers, non-Prime users will pay $19.99 per month after its public launch. The service aims to revitalize Alexa by allowing for more natural language interactions, easier routine creation, and the ability to summarize emails, create stories, and provide summaries of smart home activity. Initial partners include OpenTable, Ticketmaster, and Uber Eats. Early user reviews are mixed, but Amazon has shipped nearly 90% of the features it previously announced.

Energy

New York to Build Large-Scale Nuclear Power Plant

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to build a large nuclear power plant capable of generating at least 1 gigawatt of electricity. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will oversee the project, with potential partnerships from private entities. Sites under consideration include existing nuclear plants owned by Constellation Energy. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and aligns with renewed interest in nuclear power from tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. The project's success hinges on regulatory and permitting reforms at the federal level to avoid past issues with delays and budget overruns.

Business & Publishing

ByteDance Halts 8th Note Press Venture Amidst Publishing Challenges

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, is closing its book publisher, 8th Note Press, shortly after its launch in 2023. The press aimed to capitalize on TikTok's #BookTok community's influence on book sales. Authors who joined 8th Note Press, hoping for increased sales due to its TikTok affiliation, are now being given back their publication rights. The reasons behind ByteDance's decision to shut down the press remain unclear, as the company has not responded to requests for comment.

Finance

Finom Secures €115M to Expand SMB Financial Platform Across Europe

Finom, an Amsterdam-based challenger bank targeting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Europe, has raised €115 million in a Series C equity round. This follows a recent $105 million growth funding round. The company plans to use the funding to expand its financial platform, which combines banking, invoicing, and AI-enabled accounting services for SMBs.

The Series C round was led by AVP, with participation from Headline, Cogito Capital, General Catalyst, and Northzone. Finom aims to reach one million business customers by the end of 2026. The funding will support strategic acquisitions to expand its customer base and product portfolio.

Finom operates with an electronic money institution (EMI) license in key markets such as the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain. It is also expanding its product line with lending services, starting in the Netherlands. The company is leveraging AI internally to automate routine tasks and improve efficiency.

Technology

OpenAI's Jony Ive Deal Faces Legal Hurdle Over 'io' Trademark

OpenAI removed promotional content featuring Sam Altman and Jony Ive due to a court order related to a trademark complaint from iyO, an Alphabet X spin-off. The issue revolves around the use of the name 'io.' Despite this, OpenAI confirms the $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive's company is proceeding as planned. The lawsuit alleges consumer confusion due to the promotional video. The promotional video remains viewable on X.