Singapore's government announced that China-backed hackers targeted its four largest telecommunication companies in a months-long cyberattack, according to a statement released Monday. The intruders, identified as UNC3886, breached and accessed some systems, but did not disrupt services or access personal information. Simultaneously, Facebook unveiled new AI-powered features, Rivian made changes to the rear door manual release on its upcoming R2 SUV, and AI cybersecurity startup Vega Security raised $120 million in Series B funding.
The Singaporean government confirmed for the first time that the cyber-espionage group UNC3886 targeted the country's telecoms infrastructure, including Singtel, StarHub, M1, and Simba Telecom. K. Shanmugam, the country's coordinating minister for national security, stated that while the hackers gained access to some systems, they did not disrupt services or access personal data. Google-owned cybersecurity unit Mandiant previously linked UNC3886 to an espionage group likely working on behalf of the Chinese government.
In other tech news, Facebook introduced new AI features designed to enhance user expression on its platform. These updates include animated profile pictures, photo restyling tools for Stories and Memories, and the ability to add animated backgrounds to text posts. Facebook aims to maintain its relevance among younger users, particularly Gen Z, by offering a more personalized experience. The animated profile picture feature applies motion effects to static photos, such as making the subject appear to wave or wear a virtual party hat.
Rivian also made changes to the rear door manual release on its upcoming R2 SUV. Following pushback on electronic door handles, particularly from Tesla, Rivian altered the design. The front doors open from the inside in the same way as in the existing R1 vehicles, with an electronic button and a manual door-release latch. The rear doors also have an electronic button, but the manual release mechanism has been modified.
Additionally, AI cybersecurity startup Vega Security secured $120 million in a Series B round to rethink how enterprises detect cyber threats. Vega aims to run security where the data already lives, implementing in cloud services, data lakes, and existing storage systems. The two-year-old firm's new round, led by Accel with participation from Cyberstarts, Redpoint, and CRV, nearly doubles Vega's valuation to $700 million, bringing its total funding to $185 million.
Finally, a former Tesla product manager is working on a solution to combat the fake goods crisis. Veritas, the startup, is developing a hack-proof chip linked with digital certificates to verify the authenticity of luxury products. The founder, Luci Holland, aims to solve the problem of counterfeit goods, which cost luxury brands billions annually, and provide a reliable way for buyers in the second-hand market to verify product genuineness.
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