In October 2025, the Trump administration undertook a highly controversial expansion of its digital and geopolitical strategy, marked by the entry of multiple federal agencies into Bluesky, a left-leaning social network, and the use of provocative AI-generated content in response to mass “No Kings” protests. The move provoked rapid backlash, with tens of thousands of users blocking government accounts and sparking debates over the legality and ethics of federal messaging on decentralised platforms. Concurrently, Trump’s meetings with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a willingness to entertain territorial concessions in Ukraine, while authorisation of CIA operations in Venezuela raised alarm among foreign policy experts. Domestically, the federalisation of the Oregon National Guard and aggressive intervention in protests have intensified scrutiny of civil liberties and executive overreach. Together, these actions reflect a broader pattern of confrontational governance, blending social media manipulation, military posturing, and unilateral foreign policy decisions.

Leslie Benzies, the former Rockstar Games producer behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has faced unprecedented backlash following the release of MindsEye, the first game from his Edinburgh-based studio, Build a Rocket Boy. Despite Benzies’ reputation and the studio’s substantial investment of over £233 million, the sci-fi adventure was widely criticised for technical glitches, unclear design direction, and poorly implemented features, earning the label of “worst game of 2025.” Former employees have spoken out about a culture of micro-management, mandatory overtime, and poorly handled redundancies affecting up to 300 staff, while the studio attributed the negative reception to alleged external sabotage. Amid ongoing updates and promises to improve the game, industry observers and ex-staff remain sceptical about MindsEye’s recovery and the long-term impact on the Scottish development scene.

A simple AI prompt prevented a developer from falling victim to a sophisticated job interview scam that could have compromised his cryptocurrency wallets, credentials, and sensitive files. David Dodda was approached on LinkedIn by a fraudster posing as a legitimate blockchain recruiter and asked to complete a coding test hosted on a professional-looking Bitbucket repository. The malware embedded in the code was obfuscated and capable of executing with full server privileges, but Dodda’s AI coding assistant detected the suspicious activity before he ran it. The incident highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminal campaigns targeting developers, alongside other recent threats including Cisco zero-day exploits, ransomware disguised as Microsoft Teams installers, and large-scale SIM-box fraud networks in Europe, demonstrating the urgent need for vigilance, sandboxing unknown code, and ethical AI oversight in both security and content generation.

A notorious hacking group known as Radiant has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on the Kido nursery chain, stealing sensitive data relating to around 8,000 children, including photographs and safeguarding reports. The hackers demanded a £600,000 Bitcoin ransom but later withdrew the data after a public backlash and condemnation from both authorities and fellow cybercriminals. Kido refused to pay the ransom and is now cooperating with police and cybersecurity experts. Two 17-year-old suspects have been arrested as investigations continue into one of the UK’s most disturbing data breaches involving a childcare provider.

A widespread outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) on 21 October 2025 exposed the world’s heavy dependence on a small group of US cloud providers, disrupting banks, hospitals, retailers, and government systems across multiple countries. Originating from a DNS failure in AWS’s Northern Virginia data centre, the incident affected thousands of services, including major UK institutions and global platforms such as Snapchat and Roblox. The disruption renewed scrutiny of AWS’s £1.7 billion in UK government contracts and reignited calls for digital sovereignty, with experts warning that centralising global infrastructure within a few hyperscalers poses systemic risks to economic and national resilience.

In a stark illustration of the growing sophistication of cybercrime, BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy was directly targeted by a ransomware gang in July 2025, who offered him a substantial share of any ransom in exchange for access to the broadcaster’s IT systems. Communicating via the encrypted app Signal, the hackers, claiming affiliation with the Medusa ransomware group, attempted to persuade Tidy to provide login credentials and security codes, even offering a deposit in bitcoin to establish trust. When he hesitated, they escalated their tactics, deploying multi-factor authentication (MFA) bombing to overwhelm his devices. Tidy engaged cautiously, consulted BBC security experts, and avoided any compromise, highlighting the persistent and evolving threat posed by insider-focused cyber attacks to even the most secure organisations.

Atari has unveiled the Intellivision Spirit, a modern revival of the iconic 1980s console that once rivalled the Atari 2600. Marking the 45th anniversary of the original Intellivision, the Spirit combines the classic gold-and-black design and distinctive disc-and-keypad controllers with modern upgrades, including wireless functionality, HDMI output, and a USB-A port for library expansion. Preloaded with 45 games spanning sports, strategy, and arcade genres, each title includes authentic controller overlays to replicate the original experience. Following Atari’s acquisition of the Intellivision brand in 2024, the console represents both a celebration of gaming history and a convenient, plug-and-play option for retro enthusiasts, with pre-orders open now and shipments scheduled for December 5, 2025.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has warned of a growing “insider threat” within UK schools after discovering that more than half of all reported cyber incidents since 2022 were carried out by students, some as young as seven. The regulator’s analysis revealed that many children gained unauthorised access simply by exploiting weak passwords or shared logins, while others used easily available hacking tools. The ICO and National Crime Agency (NCA) are urging schools to strengthen internal cybersecurity, improve digital education, and guide young people towards lawful learning through initiatives such as the Cyber Choices programme and platforms like Cyberly.org, founded by ethical hacker James William Steven Parker of Portishead.

A major Vodafone network outage on 13 October 2025 left millions of mobile and broadband users across the United Kingdom without service for several hours, disrupting communication, business operations, and online access nationwide. The failure, caused by a non-malicious software issue within a vendor system, affected 4G, 5G, and broadband connectivity, while 2G and SMS remained functional. Partner networks such as Voxi, Lebara, and Asda Mobile were also impacted. Vodafone has since restored services, issued an apology, and announced a full internal review, as experts and regulators call for stronger investment in the resilience and reliability of the UK’s digital infrastructure.

The internet is facing an unprecedented crisis as AI and zero-click search engines disrupt the traditional web economy. For over a decade, search engines like Google have driven traffic to publishers, enabling revenue through advertising and subscriptions. Today, AI-powered “answer engines” provide responses directly, bypassing websites and drastically reducing referrals. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince warns that without a new model, content creation will collapse, threatening the open web itself. In response, Cloudflare has introduced AI Audit, a tool giving publishers transparency, control, and the potential to monetise access to their content, aiming to create a sustainable system where humans access content freely while AI pays for its use.

The UK government’s proposed digital ID scheme, the so-called “Brit-Card,” has sparked widespread controversy, with critics warning of significant privacy, security, and civil liberties risks. Intended to verify citizens’ right to work, access public services, and rent property, the digital ID will store sensitive personal information—including name, date of birth, nationality, and photograph—on a government app. While the government argues the system will modernise services and curb illegal employment, cybersecurity experts and campaigners highlight the potential for large-scale cyber-attacks, identity theft, and digital exclusion, particularly for older and vulnerable populations. Opposition parties and civil rights organisations have denounced the initiative as intrusive, warning it could create a centralised “honeypot” of data susceptible to exploitation by criminals and nation-state actors.

Battlefield 6 is scheduled for a worldwide release on Friday, 10 October 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with pre-orders allowing players to pre-load from 3 October. The launch will be simultaneous globally, with the UK unlocking at 4 PM BST, North America at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET, and Europe following local times. The game features a single-player campaign set across multiple global theatres, alongside a robust multiplayer suite including classic modes such as Conquest and Breakthrough, as well as new experiences like Escalation and Portal-style creative tools. File sizes range from 55 to 80 GB, with players able to select which components to install, and post-launch support will deliver new maps, weapons, and a free-to-play Battle Royale mode later in October, building on the strong reception of recent beta weekends.

The Trump administration is considering a new tariff framework that would tax foreign-made electronic devices based on the number and value of semiconductor chips they contain. The plan, still under discussion, could impose duties of up to 25% on most imports, with reduced rates for products from Japan and the European Union. Officials say the move is intended to reduce America’s reliance on overseas chipmakers such as Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung, while pushing firms to shift production to the United States. Economists, however, warn that the tariffs could raise consumer prices and fuel inflation, even for goods assembled domestically that rely on imported components.

Hackers calling themselves Radiant have launched a major cyberattack on Kido International, a nursery chain with sites in London, the US and India, stealing the sensitive personal data of around 8,000 children and staff. The criminals have already leaked dozens of children’s profiles, complete with photos, dates of birth, addresses and medical notes, and are threatening to release more unless a ransom is paid. Parents report receiving threatening calls and emails, while experts warn the breach marks a “barbaric new low” in cybercrime. The Metropolitan Police and the Information Commissioner’s Office are investigating, but specialists caution that even if money changes hands, the data is unlikely to be recovered or deleted.

The UK has reportedly dropped its controversial demand for Apple to create a “backdoor” into users’ encrypted iCloud data, following months of negotiations with the US. The order, which would have affected Apple users worldwide, including Americans, sparked widespread concern among privacy campaigners and cybersecurity experts. Apple withdrew its Advanced Data Protection service from the UK and launched a legal challenge, arguing the government was exceeding its powers. While the apparent climbdown is being hailed as a victory for secure communications, court documents suggest questions remain over the scope of the original government request.

Following the unexpected yet resounding success of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Konami has made it clear that the future of the Metal Gear franchise will be shaped not only by corporate strategy but also by fan input. With launch-day sales surpassing one million copies across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the remake demonstrated a renewed appetite for revisiting Hideo Kojima’s seminal stealth-action titles, balancing nostalgia with modernised mechanics. Capitalising on this momentum, the publisher has rolled out a post-Tokyo Game Show 2025 survey, inviting fans to vote on which classic Metal Gear games they most wish to see remade next. The options span the franchise’s extensive timeline—from the original MSX2 releases and Metal Gear Solid through to The Phantom Pain—offering a rare opportunity for players to influence Konami’s roadmap. Curiously absent from the list are Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Metal Gear Survive, although the survey’s open-ended “Other” field allows fans to petition for these titles if they so desire. Analysts suggest that this move reflects Konami’s cautious but ambitious approach: rather than rushing into unproven new entries, the publisher is leveraging proven classics to maintain relevance and reignite community enthusiasm. Alongside the survey, the upcoming Fox Hunt multiplayer mode will be showcased during the livestream segment of TGS 2025, providing a further taste of the franchise’s evolving offerings. Taken together, these initiatives signal that Metal Gear is entering a period of revitalisation, blending fan-driven decision-making with carefully curated remakes, and positioning the series for both commercial success and critical reassessment in the years to come.

Luxury giant Kering has confirmed that hackers known as Shiny Hunters stole personal data from millions of Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen customers. The breach exposed names, email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, and records of customer spending, with some totals exceeding $86,000, though no financial information was taken. Kering has notified regulators and affected clients, and experts warn that high-spending customers could now be targeted by phishing or other scams. The incident highlights growing cybersecurity risks for luxury brands and the need for robust protections of sensitive customer data.

In a pivotal call on Friday, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping edged closer to a long-sought agreement that could keep TikTok operating in the United States. While Trump celebrated the progress on Truth Social, Beijing’s response remained measured, emphasising adherence to market rules and Chinese law. The proposed deal would see a consortium of U.S. investors, including Oracle and Silver Lake, acquire the majority of TikTok’s American assets, while a 20% stake remains with Chinese investors. Key questions persist over the control of the platform’s influential algorithm and the handling of user data, leaving lawmakers and tech experts alike watching closely as the two superpowers navigate the intersection of technology, national security, and global trade.

Borderlands 4 wastes no time in hurling players headfirst into the chaos of Kairos, a sprawling frontier packed with vault secrets, wild factions, and enough loot to bury a planet, and while the temptation is to sprint in every direction guns blazing, success hinges on a few crucial early decisions that will shape your entire journey—choosing the right Vault Hunter for your playstyle, unlocking the Digirunner in the “Down and Outbound” mission to avoid trekking across the vast wastes on foot, claiming Safehouses and Silos to secure SDU Tokens and fast travel points, and prioritizing backpack and ammo upgrades before your inventory inevitably drowns in billions of bizarre weapons; from fishing for hidden loot caches to replaying missions for rare rewards, diving into side quests like “Abduction Injunction” for both comedy and XP, experimenting with alt-fire modes to squeeze every ounce of destruction from your arsenal, and saving your Golden Keys for higher levels when their Legendary treasures matter most, the opening hours aren’t just about survival—they’re about laying the foundation for the chaotic, loot-driven legacy that every Vault Hunter craves.

Apple’s iPhone 17 series has officially arrived, bringing a mix of flagship performance and thoughtful upgrades to its global audience. The lineup—comprising the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air—features stronger cameras, larger and brighter displays, faster A19 processors, and improved battery life, sparking long lines from New York to Hong Kong. While the Pro models dominate attention for their telephoto cameras, extended battery, and premium design, the standard iPhone 17 finally delivers high-end features like an always-on, high-refresh-rate display and 48MP ultrawide camera at a more accessible $829. Early excitement is tempered by minor cosmetic issues and fierce competition from Samsung, Google, and emerging AI devices, but initial reactions suggest Apple has struck a balance between innovation, practicality, and ecosystem integration that appeals to both longtime fans and first-time buyers.

In a bold move that underscores the soaring demand for cloud security and a revitalised IPO market, Netskope, one of the industry’s most prominent cloud security firms, has officially filed to go public on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol NTSK. Despite not yet turning a profit—posting a net loss of $170 million in the first half of the year—the Santa Clara-based company has demonstrated impressive growth, boasting a 33% increase in annual recurring revenue to $707 million and a 31% jump in revenue to $328 million. The filing comes during a surge of high-profile tech offerings and blockbuster cybersecurity acquisitions, signalling that investor appetite for security and resilience in the cloud era remains insatiable.

Quantum computing, once confined to science fiction, is rapidly becoming a technological reality with the potential to revolutionise everything from drug discovery to financial modelling. But along with its promises comes a profound cybersecurity challenge: today’s encryption standards, which safeguard our most sensitive data, could be rendered useless by future quantum computers. Experts warn that malicious actors are already stockpiling encrypted information in anticipation of this breakthrough—a tactic known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” Microsoft’s recently unveiled Quantum Safe Program Strategy underscores the urgency of transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography long before quantum machines become mainstream. With an anticipated global shift by the early 2030s, businesses, governments, and technology providers must act now to future-proof their digital infrastructure and protect the integrity of global data systems.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise the cybersecurity landscape, investors are keenly eyeing companies that combine strong market presence with cutting-edge innovation. The cybersecurity sector is consolidating rapidly as enterprises demand comprehensive, one-stop solutions to safeguard their increasingly cloud-centric operations. Larger players, benefiting from scale and vast customer datasets, are leveraging AI to deliver smarter, faster, and more predictive defences. While several companies appear well-positioned for sustained growth, valuation remains a critical factor. Today, we explore three major AI-driven cybersecurity stocks: two with promising long-term prospects—Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Fortinet (FTNT)—and one, CrowdStrike (CRWD), that despite operational strength, might be trading at a dangerously high premium.

In a significant move that highlights the growing appetite for cybersecurity and cloud security solutions, Netskope Inc., a global leader in cloud-native security, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker NTSK. The Santa Clara-based company disclosed robust revenue growth and narrowing losses in its SEC filing, reporting $328.5 million in revenue for the first half of the year, up from $251.3 million a year earlier, while cutting its net loss from $206.7 million to $169.5 million. Netskope’s AI-powered platform, Netskope One, positions the company at the forefront of the industry as enterprises race to secure sensitive data in an increasingly cloud-first world. With a customer roster that includes Bayer, Home Depot, and Colgate-Palmolive, and heavyweights Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan leading the offering, Netskope’s IPO signals more than just a corporate milestone—it reflects the renewed optimism in the tech IPO market and the booming demand for cybersecurity innovation.

As the digital world becomes increasingly hostile, mastering cybersecurity has never been more critical, and the best online courses of 2025 offer accessible paths for everyone—from complete beginners to experienced IT professionals seeking advanced certifications. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Future Learn, NexGenT, Open University, Cybrary, and CISA provide a wide spectrum of learning opportunities, combining free resources, accredited degrees, and intensive, military-grade programmes. Whether it’s a five-week taster course in foundational security, a full-time 22-week military-style programme, or a flexible part-time online degree, learners can gain practical skills in areas such as network security, threat detection, cloud protection, identity and access management, and vulnerability assessment. Many courses also integrate real-world applications, including hands-on labs, capstone projects, and career services, enabling students to transition into cybersecurity roles confidently. Importantly, these courses highlight that cybersecurity education no longer requires expensive tuition or formal IT degrees—motivated individuals can begin building expertise today using free or budget-friendly platforms while cultivating skills that are highly sought after in a global job market.