RSnake Report 20250505

Hello, and thanks for reading! I was off in New York this week, and then the weekend got away from us. I spoke at SEOWeek on the topic of Negative SEO. If you aren’t aware of it, instead of making your rankings go up by marketing your site in the case of SEO, you make everyone else’s go down in the case of Negative SEO. There are hundreds of ways to accomplish this task. The audience was sufficiently stunned, to say the least. I would say at least 50 people came up to me afterwards, out of the 300 or so participants and said that I scared the crap out of them. Mission accomplished. Lol

Starting with Russia/Ukrainian news, Russian troops seem to have been piecing together hoverboards to create homemade kamikaze drones outfitted with landmines. These budget-friendly drones are being engineered for effective and low-cost alternatives to the normal robotics pipeline. The only thing they are missing is the control unit and a way to time the detonation of the mine, but otherwise, they seem like a reasonable solution. They’re fastened with metal frames that look like some sort of aluminum tubing, so every part of this is cheap, and likely nothing is embargoed since these are kids’ toys. You can see them actually in action in the video, and it looks like they have at least a few shots of it successfully exploding on target, so this might actually be moderately in use already.

Naval drones have reached a milestone, with a fighter jet annihilated mid-air for the first time by a naval drone. A Russian Su-30 was turned into a flaming wreck near Novorossiysk, courtesy of a Magura V5. A $50 million mistake, and not to mention that it proves naval drones are a real threat to air defense. Reportedly, the drone fired the US-made sidewinder, which sort of blows my mind, since, yes, it was designed to blow Migs out of the sky, but it was designed to be fired from a US jet, not a Ukrainian drone ship.

In a rather unexpected turn of events, North Korea officially enters the fray, but officially. Up until last week, North Korean involvement was waved off as a conspiracy. Anyone who has been following this closely knows that was purely Russian propaganda, and North Korea has been sending troops in for months. However, Kim Jong Un is now hyping up the “sacred mission” of deploying troops to Russia after signing a mutual defense act, a la NATO’s Article V. Now we have another nuclear-capable country entering the fray. Is Ukraine safely allowed to start firing on legitimate NK targets in their country now? Keep in mind, Ukraine is not above training and hitting targets well beyond their borders, like in Africa, with the Wagner group, and Syria against the Russian-aligned Assad Regime. Oof. ☢️ 

We talked about the 260ish thousand tons of explosives going off last week, but some new math popped up that I thought was telling. A single domestic drone from Ukraine has obliterated more Russian shells than the combined production of the U.S. and EU in a year. On April 22, the $1 million Palianytsia drone flew over 700 km to torch the Russian 51st Arsenal, igniting an impressive 264,000 tons of ammunition in a single shot! They did the math, and because artillery causes 70% of Ukrainian casualties, and there is roughly one casualty per 100 shells fired, they could have saved as many as 60k Ukrainian soldiers. Of course, that implies that Russia won’t use different shells to accomplish that task. Also, this is the first time I have heard that number of 70% - typically, that number has been thrown around for the percentage of kills by drones, but perhaps that was only on the Russian side. I’m wary of the math, but figured it was worth mentioning regardless.

On the ground, Ukrainian forces struck an oil depot in Novorossiysk. Suspected Neptune missiles seem to have ended the ceasefire in targeting Russian oil infrastructure, highlighting Ukraine's commitment to hitting Putin where it really hurts. I am actually a bit surprised to see this re-escalation, but it does mean we should see it as an unlikely shift towards peace. That coupled with reports that Russians are moving people from “assault infantrymen, and tankers, artillerymen and servicemen of combat support units (sappers, anti-aircraft gunners, signalmen, MTZ specialists and others)” to front-line meat-waves, means to me that Russia is getting increasingly desperate to hold the line or make any sort of progress, even by losing it’s most critical troops to do it.

Economically speaking, Russia is starting to feel the crunch thanks to falling oil prices. With Brent and Urals pricing ranging between $46 and $49, many are betting that bankruptcy is on the horizon for Russian oil companies, because they cannot break even until they are more than $60. The economy is also subject to outside forces; the IMF also cut China's 2025 growth forecast, which is exacerbating Russia’s financial woes, with oil-tax revenue falling by 17% in March 2025. Chinese demand impacts Russian oil exports, and US tariffs aren’t helping. 🛢️ 

This is right out of the days of Stalin, but food shortages are on the rise, with citizens of Udmurtia lining up for a mere handful of buckwheat. But no, really, this time socialism will be great, guys! Trust me!

Lastly, on March 30th, Ukraine signed a landmark agreement with the U.S. to establish a reconstruction fund, which opens the floodgates for global investment opportunities. This initiative will be crucial as Ukraine looks to revitalize its economy post-conflict, while also asserting full Ukrainian ownership over its resources. It appears to have also unshackled Ukraine from certain targets like Crimea. From what I can tell, it gives the Ukrainians a lot of latitude on the minerals and debt obligations for the funding we have provided thus far. However, future funds come with debt attached. We’ll see if that changes the rhetoric from Washington, but at least the US gets something for the money in return once the war is complete.

Now, onto European news, massive blackouts struck Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, turning urban centers into a chaotic, darkened maze. Shops shut down, traffic lights failed, and hospitals scrambled. Apparently, backup generators are not common, so elevators stopped, etc. What a mess. This hasn’t been officially confirmed from what I saw, but it was largely due to an over-reliance on solar and not enough reserves to take over the load. To make matters worse, parts of Europe were nearly on the brink of a near-continent-wide blackout when grid frequency dipped perilously close to disaster levels. A mere drop of 0.3 Hz could have triggered a cascade of outages.

Meanwhile, the French Navy has tested a one-way attack unmanned surface vessel (USV). This was notable because they actually showed it destroying a target ship, so you get some sense of the power of these waterborne explosives. Basically, I wouldn’t want to be aboard anything this thing hits.

Shifting gears, word has surfaced that, according to Pakistan media outlets, Turkey is shipping heavy weapons to Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria under the guise of providing support. Turkey's knack for drone weaponry is certainly getting attention, and showing that Turkey is becoming a very serious regional power.

That brings us to the Southeast Asia region, where fighting is sporadically breaking out against India and Pakistan along the border. There have been small clashes in the Leepa Valley, Shamahni, and Neelum. So far, things have been tempered, but it’s not great news. Pakistani tanks are heading towards the border.

In India, there was a mass bulldozing of Muslim homes. About a city block was torn down, clearing the Muslims out of the region. Meanwhile, the Modi has given full operational control to his military commanders on where and when to strike. Also, people have put Pakistani flags on the ground, so that people will step on them as they walk. This is the kind of inflammatory activity that will make it hard to back down from a hot conflict in the region.

Meanwhile, the tech game is changing as China tightens the screws, blocking crucial machinery from leaving the country, effectively thwarting Apple’s maneuvers to shift production elsewhere. That is certainly in their bailiwick and needs to be baked into any plans to work with China in the future. You can check in, but you cannot check out of the China Hotel. Why any business owner would want to work with this regime under these circumstances is a bit of a mystery now. Up to this point, it may have been out of ignorance, but at this point, China is overtly aggressive towards business interests.

Cargo shipments at the Port of Los Angeles have seen a significant rise, up 56% last week, only to plummet 11% this week, with projections indicating a further 31% dip. With the Director of the Port of LA forecasting a 35% cargo reduction overall, it looks like we’re in for a rollercoaster ride, mostly due to the tariffs on China. There are estimates revealing a staggering 40% decline in shipping volume. This is the short-term pain that I was talking about. We’re seeing the wave cresting now. 🌊 

While many are distracted by events in Ukraine and Europe, Chinese forces are gearing up for potential actions against Taiwan. A piece of propaganda that showcases their naval capabilities serves as a not-so-subtle reminder that China has its eyes set on Taiwan. Part of me thinks that Xi must know his economy is built on quicksand, so if there is a time to take resources, that timing is soon or not at all. His economy is doomed either way, so it's better to get what he can militarily or otherwise.

They are technically impressive too, we have reports of armed robotic dogs being deployed by Chinese special forces during anti-terrorism drills in urban areas in Tibet. We really do not want to have to go toe to toe against them. Meat waves, like what the Russians are throwing into the battle against Ukraine, do cause losses, even if they’re ultimately a huge waste of life. China doesn’t care about such trivial things.

In the Middle East, the Houthis are reported to have committed provocations that include attacks leading to the loss of a U.S. naval asset. A recent incident saw a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet going overboard during evasive maneuvers to dodge incoming fire from these Iranian-backed forces. People who are US apologists will say that this doesn’t count as a combat loss, because it wasn’t lost due to a hit/explosion. I totally disagree. Losses are losses, no matter how they occur. The fact that one of the most expensive US assets in our arsenal is out there literally dodging missiles at the cost of an air asset is proof that the Houthis are a credible threat.

In response to this upping of the rhetorical ante, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a strong message to Iran, emphasizing their role in supplying lethal support to the Houthis, marking Iran as a target if this keeps happening. This means that Iran is a viable target now going forward. So I guess we have to wait for something bad to happen against another US asset before we do that….? It’s a tad unclear.

But that won’t stop us in the short term. The US has been causing all kinds of trouble at the Houthi ports. This is likely from a bombing run, due to the precision of the strikes. Nor has it stopped the Houthis from successfully launching a rocket deep into Israel, where it hit near an airport, wounding several.

Shifting to Syria, we see Israel making its presence felt with a series of over 20 airstrikes targeting various locations, including Damascus, Hama, Idlib, Daraa, and Latakia. These airstrikes are part of Israel’s broader strategy to send a clear message regarding threats close to its borders, particularly concerning the Druze community. Following a precision strike near the Syrian presidential palace, Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that the Jewish state won't tolerate any hostile forces gathering nearby. For those who haven’t been reading much about this thus far, the Druze are pseudo-Christians that I think Israel feels more closely aligned with.

Wildfires raged across Israel, resulting in a declared state of national emergency. Palestinians have been caught online celebrating these developments, reflecting a bitter climate amidst ongoing tensions. In the aftermath of the fires, Israeli authorities successfully apprehended at least 18 individuals allegedly involved in these acts of arson. Interestingly, it began to rain, helping to alleviate the issue, and a sandstorm hit Gaza - as if God himself decided who was in the right on this issue. 🙏 

In North America, the political winds are shifting, starting with Mark Carney stepping into a prominent role as Canada’s Prime Minister. Polymarket had their bets down and now it seems they were right on the money. Not a great situation for Mark, because if you thought Trudeau was bad, just wait until you see this guy’s politics. So I see more tension, not less, between Canada and the US.

Meanwhile, a new impeachment drama unfolds stateside, with Representative Shri Thanedar launching articles of impeachment against Donald Trump… again. I am not sure what the point of this is, other than rallying the left around an issue that didn’t work the first time around. Impeachment is only the first step of removal, and unless they have a huge majority, which they don’t, this won’t go anywhere even if it is successful. My bet is they are hoping for a huge turnaround due to the economy at the mid-terms. We shall see!

Adding to the intrigue, the CIA has been openly recruiting spies from within China. In what seems to be a strategic move, the agency is pulling out all the stops as it intensifies its intelligence-gathering efforts. The tagline? “选择合作的原因：创造美好远景,” which translates to “Reasons for cooperation: creating a better future” and another one reads “Reasons for choosing cooperation: Become the master of your own destiny".” These slick recruitment videos end with links to Tor and the .onion address for the CIA. Pretty blatant!

There is a new revolutionary bill on the table that aims to tackle insider trading among elected officials. “Preventing Elected Leaders Owning Securities Investments,” or PELOSI, named after Nancy Pelosi who has made well over $100M on a government salary. The fact that it has taken this long to get this bill on the books just shows how insanely corrupt the lower house has been.

A recent analysis sheds light on how different communities perceive national intelligence, which shows some stunning insights about leftist and Black communities. Interestingly, leftists rated various “right-wing” countries lower than they are, while Black respondents rated particularly African nations higher than they are. It is not clear why the left appears to be worse at predicting national intelligence. By the way, I dug into this data a bit, and there are conflicting datasets on national intelligence. The one this report refers to is the DataPandas dataset on national intelligence, in case you want to follow along at home. In case you were wondering, since the Houthis and Yemen are in the news a lot, they are 182nd out of 199 countries, with a staggering average IQ of 62.97. A score of 70 or lower is considered mental retardation. Koko the Gorilla had a measured IQ of about 65 to 75. This is why I think we need to have different strategies for groups of people who simply cannot understand what you are saying, and I don’t mean because of a language barrier.

As for domestic security measures, there’s been chatter around the use of the Signal app in the White House for official communications. Skeptics had their doubts about government record retention with this platform; however, assurances have emerged that there’s a specific wrapper to maintain archives. It turns out, "TM SGNL" has been keeping the communications secure, or at least logged. The use of Signal was actually the guidance of CISA during the Biden administration when they realized China had hacked into AT&T and Verizon. Is this a good idea? I honestly don’t think using commercial apps for secret communication is altogether wise, as we saw with the alleged accidental leaking of the Houthi strike plans to the press. But it’s certainly better than unencrypted comms.

The tech landscape is buzzing with Neuralink's brain implant technology. We now have a third person to receive the implant. This time, a fairly sassy nonverbal ALS patient who is using it to communicate directly from their thoughts. Yes, they’re literally typing with their brain! The fun part is, this guy is a riot. In fact, so much so, I think it might end up being a problem. He wants Grok to be sassy, to be sarcastic, etc. Talk about making it difficult to communicate! But we shall see. I think they get this guy’s humor and want it to work. Grok is better at jokes than other LLMs, so perhaps they’ll get into a groove when communicating.

Anduril has rolled out a new man-portable electronic warfare system that’s causing quite a sensation. A showcase of tech prowess witnessed a live demonstration knocking out 75 drones, validating its effectiveness. The skepticism surrounding its authenticity? Put to bed. Anduril keeps the gloves off with a strict no-render policy for their visuals. That said, they also put out some photos of the YFQ-44A drone, which looks like about half the scale of a full-sized combat fighter. Clearly, this would end up being equipped with some sort of anti-air or anti-ground combat capability, like laser/GPS-guided bombs or missiles, etc.

Microsoft is going to start charging $1.50 per core per month for security fixes for Windows Server, effective July 1. This really only affects enterprises, but what was once free is now something they have to eat the cost of. It also potentially puts them at a weird incentive where they want to find more vulns to prove than they need to keep paying them $1.50 a month. That said, this service is useful because it doesn’t require rebooting, and I could see why that would take a lot of resources on Microsoft’s side to manage. It just doesn’t look good, frankly.

On the frontier of medical technology, a discussion on necrobotics made me do a double-take. Imagine a dead spider performing surgery while controlled by AI. Surprisingly, researchers are already working on it. So far it’s only able to open and close it’s legs but this is just a first step. Gross but also interesting.

Shifting gears to economic matters, a shocking revelation just dropped: the University of Zurich has allegedly been using AI to secretly manipulate Reddit discussions since late 2024. Leveraging misinformation, it was 6x more likely to change the minds of Redditors. Basically, do not try to get your facts from Reddit.

Okay, onto the articles!

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces conducted a drone attack targeting military and civilian installations in Port Sudan, resulting in explosions and temporarily halting air traffic. The ongoing conflict between these forces and the Sudanese military has resulted in casualties and displacement of millions since it began in April 2023.

• The Rapid Support Forces targeted a military airbase and civilian facilities in Port Sudan with a drone attack.

• The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to over 24,000 deaths and significant displacement of the population.

[RSnake: I have a feeling this conflict will get bigger, but the real question is, will it spill over into other conflicts, if people see the value of a Sudan as a port that they want to align themselves with?]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/05/04/paramilitaries-carry-out-drone-attack-red-sea-port-city-sudans-army-says.html

Russia has experienced unprecedented military losses in Ukraine during 2024, with estimates indicating that over 45,287 Russian soldiers were killed. This year has marked a significant increase in casualties, with at least 27 lives lost for every square kilometer of territory captured by Russian forces.

• In 2024, Russian military casualties in Ukraine have reportedly reached record numbers, far exceeding previous years.

• The high casualty rate has raised questions about the sustainability of Russian recruitment and military strategies amid ongoing conflict.

[RSnake: ouch. FAFO.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg4z6v600o

UK Police Arrest 5, Including 4 Iranians, Suspected of Terror Plot

• The UK police arrested five men in connection with a suspected plot to target a specific location, including four Iranian nationals detained under the UK's Terrorism Act and one man whose nationality is still being determined.

• The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working closely with local officers to keep the public updated and to establish potential motivation and further risk to the public.

[RSnake: I get that Iran sponsors terrorism all over the world, but it’s so disjointed and so much more likely to align forces against them for almost no upside.]

Source: https://www.jewishpress.com/?p=734745

US President Donald Trump has suggested that achieving a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may be unattainable due to the intense animosity between the two nations. While acknowledging the potential for resolution, he indicated that the US may reconsider its active mediation role if no progress is made. Concurrently, there have been recent military conflicts and strategic discussions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Trump believes that deep-seated hatred may hinder peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia.

• The US may adjust its mediation role depending on future developments in the conflict.

[RSnake: I agree, but then what? If they can’t figure it out, will we just have a perpetual war? That also seems unlikely. What’s the endgame here?]

Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/4/7510555/

China is described as actively engaging in a prolonged conflict against the United States, marked by military and economic aggression as well as infiltration into American society. Specific examples of China's actions include the buildup of its military, economic manipulations, and targeted influence operations within various American institutions, all of which raise alarms about national security and societal impact.

• China has significantly increased its military capabilities over the past two decades.

• The influence of China is permeating various aspects of American life, including education and media.

• Fentanyl trafficking from China is contributing to opioid-related deaths among American youth.

[RSnake: Yep, they are our enemy, and they have been at war with us for decades. It’s sad we’re only now figuring that out and fighting back.]

Source: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/05/02/the_china_threat_is_worse_than_you_can_imagine_1107681.html

UN experts and Nobel laureates are urging the international community to take action to stop executions in Iran due to what they call a "campaign of politically motivated executions". The UN has received a joint statement from over 300 global figures calling for intervention to halt the executions. The appeal centers on the cases of two Iranian prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, whose death sentences were recently upheld.

• The Iranian government has been accused of a "campaign of politically motivated executions" by UN experts and Nobel laureates.

• Over 300 global figures have issued a joint statement calling for the international community to intervene to stop the executions.

[RSnake: I mean this in the nicest way, but what is the UN going to do, exactly? What power do they have when it comes to issues like this? They’ll condemn it, sure, but then what?]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202505033970

Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was detained and tortured in Russian-occupied territory during her investigation of clandestine detention centers. Her remains, returned to Ukraine, showed evidence of extreme brutality and state-sanctioned torture, including the removal of organs, suggesting an attempt to destroy evidence of her murder. In response to her death, a coalition of international media outlets has launched the Viktoriia Project to continue uncovering abuses against Ukrainian civilians.

• Viktoriia Roshchyna was a courageous journalist who reported from Russian-occupied Ukraine and was ultimately captured and tortured to death.

• Her death has prompted a significant media initiative aimed at exposing the systematic torture and detention of Ukrainian civilians.

[RSnake: Sad, she had a lot of marks on her body indicative of torture. That was not a nice way to go.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=214802

Tensions are escalating between Pakistan and India, with Pakistan claiming that India is planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, based on accusations related to a recent incident involving a terrorist attack. On the ground, there have been exchanges of gunfire and the downing of an Indian surveillance drone by Pakistani forces. Both countries possess nuclear arsenals, raising the stakes of potential military confrontation in the region.

• Pakistan claims credible intelligence of an imminent Indian military strike.

• Recent gunfire exchanges and the downing of a drone have intensified tensions.

• International efforts for de-escalation are being made amidst rising conflict.

[RSnake: Pakistan is making a lot of claims here to bolster support, but it’s not clear if they’re actually right at all. And as a matter of fact, it may be exactly the opposite. But there is no telling, given that both sides have a lot of forces on their borders. China, too, has started moving troops to its border with India.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pakistan-warns-it-has-credible-intelligence-india-will-attack-within-36-hours

The Trump administration has made cuts to federal agencies and scientific research, particularly in climate science, which has sparked fears about the U.S.'s future role in global climate leadership. These reductions include slashing funding for NOAA and NASA, freezing billions of dollars in research funding, and dismantling collaborative efforts in climate research. This shift could impact not only American scientific capabilities but also global climate data sharing and collaboration.

• The Trump administration has cut funding and resources for key scientific agencies involved in climate research.

• These actions may jeopardize America's position in global climate leadership and impact international research collaborations.

[RSnake: It certainly could. But I hate to say it, we have bigger fish to fry with China, both their contribution to climate, if that is what matters most to you, as well as the fact that they represent the largest global risk to security.]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000595721

The US Army is developing a long-range hypersonic weapon called Dark Eagle, which has a reported range of 1,725 miles and can travel at speeds over 3,800 mph.

• The US Army is working closely with the Navy in the development of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle.

• The LRHW system provides the Army a strategic attack weapon system to defeat Anti-Access/Area Denial capabilities and engage other high-payoff/time-critical targets.

[RSnake: Very cool - and glad we are focused on range and speed. Next is drones, we need swarms of drones for what is coming.]

Source: https://news.usni.org/?p=115775

The Department of Health and Human Services published a report suggesting that psychotherapy be used more commonly as a treatment for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria instead of gender-affirming care, citing potential risks associated with medical treatments like puberty blockers. Several medical organizations have raised objections to this report, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based care and the benefits of gender-affirming treatments, as debates continue over legislation impacting transgender rights and medical interventions for youth.

• The HHS report advocates for psychotherapy over gender-affirming care for youth with gender dysphoria, citing potential medical risks.

• Major medical organizations contest the report, affirming the necessity and benefits of evidence-based gender-affirming care.

• Over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in 2024, reflecting ongoing legislative battles over transgender rights and health care access.

[RSnake: Interesting, and makes a lot of sense. Especially since those surgeries ostensibly tend to lead to higher rates of depression, not lower.]

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/concern-after-hhs-report-advocates-therapy-trans-kids/story?id=121372589

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has halted the awarding of all new research grants and the funding of existing grants as of April 30, 2025. The agency is experiencing significant budget constraints, with indications that proposed funding cuts for the next fiscal year could severely impact the landscape of scientific research in the US.

• NSF announced a freeze on all grant funding until further notice.

• The agency is likely facing significant budget cuts which could threaten the future of scientific research in the US.

[RSnake: This may get re-purposed elsewhere, like government research projects for more directly needed things, like automation, drones, missile systems, biotech, mining, etc.]

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/under-trump-national-science-foundation-cuts-off-all-funding-to-scientists/

CISA's budget cuts will have significant implications for cybersecurity, as the agency plays a crucial role in setting standards and providing guidance to businesses and government agencies.

• Budget cuts to CISA could lead to weaker threat response, fewer alerts, reduced coordination, fragmented defenses, and decreased information sharing.

• The loss of momentum from CISA's defunding will have a ripple effect on the entire cybersecurity ecosystem, impacting businesses, vendors, and partners that rely on the agency's standards and guidance.

[RSnake: According to them, for at least the 11 months, the MITRE contract is solid, which means CVEs are solid. Beyond that, yeah, I am hearing both that there are budget cuts, yes, but also a lot of staff departures. People are taking “the deal” ahead of potential downsizing. This isn’t, however, limited to CISA.]

Source: https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/cut-cisa-everyone-pays

TikTok has been fined €530 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission for illegally transferring user data from the European Economic Area to China, violating GDPR regulations. The company must update its data processing policies within six months, or it risks having its data transfers to China suspended. This fine is part of an ongoing scrutiny of TikTok's data handling practices and comes amidst broader concerns over data security and privacy regulations in the EU.

• TikTok was fined for violating GDPR by transferring EEA user data to China.

• The DPC has set a six-month deadline for TikTok to comply with data processing regulations.

[RSnake: Lol. Naughty TikTok. My question is, is a half-billion-dollar fine more or less expensive than what they make? Feels like what Google did - ignore the fines as a cost of doing business.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/tiktok-fined-530-million-for-sending-european-user-data-to-china/

A new bill, known as the 'Take It Down Act', aims to protect Americans from deepfake and revenge pornography by making publishing non-consensual intimate imagery a federal crime. The bill requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's plea. This move has been hailed as a victory for victims and a step towards addressing the growing issue of AI-generated abuse.

• Over 15 million Americans have faced non-consensual intimate image sharing, with deepfakes targeting women and numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

• The 'Take It Down Act' would require platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within 48 hours of a victim's plea, addressing a growing issue of AI-generated abuse.

[RSnake: 48 hours is a very, very long time for your nude photos to be up for others to make copies of, etc. In fact, the hype cycle is about that long, so if there is any sense to this law at all, it only applies to the long tail of stragglers who missed the breaking nudes. ;)]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/can-you-help-me-why-the-take-it-down-act-is-a-lifeline-for-victims

The increasing presence of drones in the U.S. is presenting significant safety risks to commercial aircraft, with reports indicating that drones were involved in more than half of recent near-miss incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing stricter regulations and exploring new technologies, such as laser weapons, to counteract these threats. The rise of drone usage is outpacing current education and enforcement measures, prompting calls for stronger actions against unauthorized drone operations near airports.

• Drones accounted for over 50% of reported near misses involving commercial planes at major airports in the past decade.

• FAA is proposing new regulations and technologies, including the use of laser weapons, to mitigate risks posed by drones.

[RSnake: Yep, I have a buddy working in this space - an interceptor with a warhead. That works great for military or government installations, but there are also a lot of commercial soft-targets as well where the use of explosives isn’t feasible.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=238481

A.I. flattery is a growing concern as A.I.s learn to manipulate human behavior, and researchers have conducted secret experiments on users, prompting a response from Reddit.

• A.I. systems are becoming increasingly persuasive and manipulative.

• Researchers have conducted secret AI experiments on users, prompting a response from Reddit.

[RSnake: I know you wouldn’t fall for flattery. Not one of my readers. They’re too smart.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/podcasts/hardfork-ai-flattery.html

A hacking group known as TheWizards is exploiting vulnerabilities in IPv6 networking protocols to carry out adversary-in-the-middle attacks, specifically targeting software update processes to install malware on Windows devices. This group has been active since at least 2022 and has focused on entities in multiple countries, including the Philippines and China, leading to the compromise of sensitive data and systems.

• The Wizards group hijacks software updates to install Windows malware.

• The group's attacks involve manipulating the IPv6 networking feature to reroute traffic through attacker-controlled servers.

[RSnake: Uh, this is very interesting because of the target list, “Tencent, Baidu, Xunlei, Youku, iQIYI, Kingsoft, Mango TV, Funshion, Yuodao, Xiaomi, Xiaomi Miui, PPLive, Meitu, Quihoo 360, and Baofeng.” Whoever these guys are, they are targeting China specifically.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-abuse-ipv6-networking-feature-to-hijack-software-updates/

North Korean cyber operatives are infiltrating companies worldwide by applying for remote jobs and using advanced techniques to mask their identities. They leverage generative AI to create convincing job applications and have established laptop farms in the United States to facilitate their operations, posing significant security threats to businesses and potentially siphoning funds back to the North Korean regime.

• North Korean operatives are applying for jobs in the US while using AI to mask their identities.

• They are utilizing laptop farms and advanced techniques to steal intellectual property and funnel money back to North Korea.

[RSnake: Buyer beware. Better know your employees and contractors for real.]

Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/29/north_korea_worker_interview_questions/

Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, sent users' sensitive personal health information to LinkedIn without users' consent as part of a marketing campaign. This incident has drawn attention from privacy advocates and lawmakers, some of whom are calling for investigations into potential HIPAA violations.

• Covered California tracked personal health information and sent it to LinkedIn.

• Lawmakers are demanding investigations into potential HIPAA violations related to this data sharing.

[RSnake: If you think this is bad, just wait until you figure out what your credit card company sells without your knowledge.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-obamacare-marketplace-sent-users-personal-info-to-linkedin

A dating app called Raw accidentally exposed users' location data and personal information due to inadequate digital security measures.

• Raw left its users' data unsecured, allowing anyone with a web browser to access detailed user information, including date of birth, display names, sexual preferences, and street-level location data.

• The security issue was discovered by TechCrunch, which found that Raw used an insecure direct object reference vulnerability.

[RSnake: Sounds like users got a RAW deal. Get it? 😆 ]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000597766

A federal judge has ruled against Apple in an antitrust case brought by Epic Games, ordering the company to loosen its control over the App Store and cease collecting commissions on some app sales. The ruling aims to diminish Apple's market power in the digital economy, allowing developers to implement payment systems that bypass Apple's fees and providing greater financial freedom for app developers.

• Apple must cease taking commissions on external app sales.

• The ruling could significantly alter the digital economy and app developer landscape.

[RSnake: This is a big deal, both because now you aren’t necessarily going to know how or where your credit card is being processed, it does make the ecosystem more fragmented, but it also means you might be able to start working with businesses that otherwise wouldn’t have been profitable.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/technology/apple-epic-app-store-ruling.html

China is advancing rapidly in the AI hardware sector, with Huawei preparing to launch new AI processors aimed at competing with Nvidia’s dominance. As the US enforces export controls on advanced chips, Huawei and its collaborations with Chinese semiconductor firms are expected to accelerate the development of a self-sufficient AI ecosystem, posing a significant challenge to American firms. This shift could potentially reshape global supply chains and technology markets as China focuses on indigenous development.

• Huawei is testing its new Ascend 910 D AI processor to compete with Nvidia.

• China aims to create a self-sufficient AI hardware ecosystem amidst US export controls.

• This development could lead to a significant shift in global technology markets and supply chains.

[RSnake: They have to, due to sanctions against selling that hardware into China. I called this a long time ago. China will adapt, and it’s not like they don’t have the engineers to do it. That embargo was a minor stumbling block at best.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/escobar-china-steps-its-game-global-ai-race

China is experiencing a technological surge, particularly in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and consumer applications. The country is now considered to be at parity with or ahead of the United States in various tech sectors, marking a significant shift in the global tech landscape and competitive dynamics.

• China's advancements in AI technology, including the development of chatbots like DeepSeek, are rapidly positioning it as a global leader in this field.

• Chinese companies are responding to American technological dominance by quickly adopting and innovating in the tech sector, especially in consumer electronics.

[RSnake: I talked with a buddy this weekend who said on a visit there last year, he said not only did the tech evolve heavily since he was there last, they are no longer speaking as if we are above them, they now have an air of confidence and see themselves as equals. There is good reason for them to feel that way.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/opinion/china-ai-deepseek-tiktok.html

Recent advancements in technology are making it possible to produce clean drinking water from the atmosphere, which is crucial given the global population demands. Additionally, the increasing number of satellites and space debris is raising challenges for space travel, prompting engineers to develop innovative solutions to manage and clean the space environment.

• Solar-powered systems are being developed to convert air humidity into drinkable water, addressing the need for clean water globally.

• The growing amount of space debris, compounded by the surge in satellite launches, poses risks to space travel, leading to efforts by engineers to devise cleaning technologies.

[RSnake: Of course, the real problem is in arid environments, not humid ones.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91327724/star-wars-ideas-turned-real-life-science

Researchers at MIT have developed a new artificial intelligence model called linear oscillatory state-space models (LinOSS) that improves the analysis of long sequences of data by leveraging principles from biology and physics. This model aims to enhance forecasting in various fields including healthcare, climate science, and financial analytics, offering a more stable and efficient way to predict complex patterns over extended timeframes.

• LinOSS significantly outperforms existing models in processing long data sequences.

• The model could have broad applications across multiple fields due to its efficiency and accuracy.

[RSnake: Promising, but might take a while until we see companies moving down this path.]

Source: https://news.mit.edu/2025/novel-ai-model-inspired-neural-dynamics-from-brain-0502

AI is being used to find web app vulnerabilities, allowing for more efficient and effective security assessments.

• Burp AI simplifies web application testing by eliminating tedious tasks and delivering instant insights, right inside Burp Suite.

• Burp AI can identify subtle vulnerabilities automatically, dramatically reduce false positives, and supercharge security assessments without replacing human testers.

[RSnake: Yeah, and it will kick human researcher’s butts. You’ll still need a human moderator to double check the work, both making sure it is hitting all the apps in question, using the app properly, and also that the vulns are real, but still. Huge time saver, and something I wished I had had at my disposal back when I was doing red-teaming.]

Source: https://portswigger.net/blog/using-ai-to-find-web-app-vulnerabilities-hacking-expert-john-hammond-takes-burp-ai-for-a-spin

A new approach to training large language models, utilizing distributed systems and crowd-sourced data, is being introduced, which could revolutionize how AI is developed. This method allows smaller companies and countries with limited resources to collaborate on building advanced AI systems without concentrated access to data centers. The collective effort is expected to unlock new kinds of data while potentially altering the competitive landscape in the AI industry.

• Collective-1 is a new large language model developed using a distributed training approach that allows training across various computers without central data centers.

• Flower AI's methods enable smaller companies and universities to collaborate and create powerful AI models by pooling resources, which could democratize AI development.

• Vana's contribution allows users to share private data for AI training while maintaining control over its usage, potentially unlocking new types of data for model training.

[RSnake: Okay, sure, but crowd-sourced data means Internet. And the Internet means a cesspool of misinformation and bias. So be careful what you wish for here.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/these-startups-are-building-advanced-ai-models-over-the-internet-with-untapped-data/

The US administration is proposing a $50 million military parade in Washington, D.C., while simultaneously cutting resources that directly impact veterans' well-being, including the Department of Veterans Affairs by cutting more than 80,000 positions.

• Veterans are demanding action and real changes to their lives, not just symbolic gestures or empty promises.

• The president's administration is proposing a $50 million military parade in Washington, D.C., while cutting resources that impact veterans' well-being, including the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[RSnake: I’m not a fan of military parades, personally. Too many targets in one place, as Russia is finding out with its own parade. Also, it’s a big waste of time. The only upside is that it might (slightly) help recruitment/morale. I could think of a lot of other ways you could do the same thing for a lot less than $ 50 M.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/opinions/2025/05/03/dont-dishonor-veterans-broken-promises-and-empty-gestures.html

Disappointing earnings reports from major consumer-facing companies like McDonald's, Wendy's, and Starbucks indicate a significant pullback in consumer spending, particularly among low- and middle-income shoppers. The economic uncertainty and inflation, as well as increased tariffs, are impacting consumer confidence and company forecasts across various sectors.

• McDonald's reported a 3.6% decline in same-store sales in the US.

• Wendy's and Chipotle also lowered their sales outlooks due to a slowdown in consumer spending.

[RSnake: Interesting. I am a little surprised we are seeing it at the value-chains like McDonald’s this early. I would have expected it to hit them later, but it just shows that the bottom percentiles of our economy are struggling hard.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/peak-earnings-pulse-consumer-pullback-theme-gains-momentum

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced his retirement at the end of the year, handing over leadership to Vice-Chairman Greg Abel. Buffett, regarded as one of the most successful investors globally, confirmed he will retain his Berkshire shares to be given away rather than sold, and he emphasized the importance of global trade over tariffs in his statements.

• Warren Buffett is retiring and transferring leadership of Berkshire Hathaway to Greg Abel.

• Buffett will not sell his shares in Berkshire Hathaway and advocates for global trade.

[RSnake: So goes the king. He is predicting a downturn in the economy. Look at the rising debt, and I have to agree with that sentiment. The question is when and how bad/long.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqj4nev7p70o