💻 Cybersecurity, Nuclear Energy, and Microsoft’s Hardware Clampdown
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 04. Today we are covering:
Telcos struggle to boot Chinese hackers from networks
Meta seeks nuclear power developers for reactors to start in early 2030s
Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware
Tim Cook Wants Apple to Literally Save Your Life
How the Ukraine-Russia war is reshaping the tech sector in Eastern Europe
Let’s dive in
Telcos struggle to boot Chinese hackers from networks
By Sam Sabin via Axios
China-linked hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, continue to infiltrate U.S. telecommunications networks, maintaining access for over six months despite federal investigations and posing risks to critical infrastructure.
The FBI and CISA have issued new guidelines urging telecom providers to secure their networks, but the hackers exploit existing infrastructure vulnerabilities, impacting up to 80 telecom and internet providers.
Officials warn the breaches include the surveillance of communications, with a particular focus on individuals in the D.C. metro area, and urge the use of encrypted services to mitigate risks.
𝕏: This paragraph about how Salt Typhoon state or state-affiliated attackers from China managed to blow past the defenses of enormous U.S. telcos shouldn't shock you. But (if you're an American) it absolutely should make you really, really angry - Brian in Pittsburgh (@arekfurt)
Meta seeks nuclear power developers for reactors to start in early 2030s
By Timothy Gardner via Reuters
Meta is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of U.S. nuclear generation capacity by the early 2030s, aligning with its AI and environmental goals.
The company emphasizes nuclear energy's role in creating a cleaner, more reliable electric grid and invites submissions until January 3, 2025, for projects including small modular reactors or larger traditional reactors.
The move highlights growing energy demand in tech, with data center power usage projected to triple by 2030, though nuclear development faces regulatory and logistical hurdles.
𝕏: This is theater. Meeting surging power demand with nuclear? Sure—just ignore the red tape, uranium shortages, and NIMBY protests. - Art Berman (@aeberman12)
The best way to reach new readers is through word of mouth. If you click THIS LINK in your inbox, it’ll create an easy-to-send pre-written email you can just fire off to some friends.
Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware
By Tom Warren via The Verge
Microsoft has reaffirmed its strict TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11, calling it a "non-negotiable" standard to enhance security and support future AI capabilities, effectively ruling out support for older hardware.
The 24H2 update has tightened compatibility checks, forcing unsupported hardware users to rely on workarounds, while businesses can opt for the Windows 11 LTSC 2024 release, where TPM is optional but CPU compatibility is enforced.
With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, Microsoft is using full-screen upgrade prompts to encourage users to switch to modern PCs that meet Windows 11's stringent requirements.
𝕏: Microsoft is making it clear that it has no plans to lower Windows 11 hardware requirements. The TPM 2.0 requirement is now "non-negotiable," as Windows 10 end of support approaches. - Tom Warren (@tomwarren)
Tim Cook Wants Apple to Literally Save Your Life
By Steven Levy via WIRED
Apple is integrating generative AI across its product line with a focus on privacy, ensuring most computations occur on devices or in secure data centers, differentiating it from competitors.
Under Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple aims to enhance user experience with tools like custom emoji generators, improved AI capabilities for Siri, and partnerships like its deal with OpenAI for ChatGPT access.
Cook predicts Apple’s greatest legacy will lie in health innovations, with products like the Apple Watch and AirPods advancing diagnostics and democratizing healthcare solutions.
𝕏: Tim Cook on how long he’ll remain Apple CEO - in new interview with @StevenLevy - Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
How the Ukraine-Russia war is reshaping the tech sector in Eastern Europe
By Peter Guest via MIT Technology Review
The Ukraine-Russia war has spurred innovation in Eastern Europe, with startups and major tech players adapting civilian technologies like drones and software into cost-effective military applications, influencing European governments to invest in dual-use technologies.
Latvia and Baltic states are accelerating defense innovations, with companies like Global Wolf and Atlas Dynamics creating battlefield-ready tools, while government initiatives and international programs invest millions in military-tech ecosystems.
Europe faces challenges in scaling Ukraine’s adaptive defense model due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, though experts stress the need for closer collaboration between tech startups, governments, and civil society to prepare for future crises.
Trending in AI
Thanks for reading to the bottom and soaking in our Newslit Daily fueled with highlights for your morning.
I hope you found it interesting and, needless to say, if you have any questions or feedback let me know by hitting reply.
Take care and see you tomorrow!
P.S. Want to advertise with us? We’d love to hear from you.
How was today’s email?