Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

BBC

Apple is removing its highest-level data security tool, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), from UK customers after the government requested access to user data. ADP ensures that only account holders can access their stored files through end-to-end encryption, which even Apple cannot bypass. The UK government recently sought the ability to access this encrypted data, a demand Apple has strongly opposed, warning that any “backdoor” could eventually be exploited by bad actors. As a result, Apple has decided to disable ADP in the UK, meaning that in the future, not all UK iCloud data will be fully encrypted.

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OpenAI Launches Sora in the UK, Sparking Debate on Copyright, Creative Industries

Guardian

OpenAI has launched its video generation tool, Sora, in the UK, intensifying the debate over AI and copyright.

The tool allows users to create videos from text prompts, but critics, including director Beeban Kidron, argue it could use copyrighted works without permission.

This comes as UK ministers consider concessions on copyright laws for the creative industries.

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What’s happening to mobile users’ trust, with MEF’s Dario Betti

Identity Week

Consumer trust in mobile services remains persistently low, with the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) reporting a stagnant trust index of 55 out of 100. MEF CEO Dario Betti highlighted this as a concerning trend, given the importance of trust in mobile authentication and identity verification. The report also reveals a geographic divide, with emerging markets like Indonesia, South Africa, China, India, Brazil, and Mexico showing higher trust levels, while Japan and Canada rank among the least trusting nations. Betti attributes these differences to regulatory environments and consumer experiences, with regions that have newer digital infrastructure generally exhibiting more confidence in mobile security.

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Trend Micro Unveils AI-Powered Cybertron at MWC for Proactive Cybersecurity

MEF

Trend Micro is launching at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona Trend Cybertron, an AI-powered cybersecurity tool designed to predict and prevent threats.

Described as the industry’s first proactive cybersecurity AI, Cybertron leverages 35 years of Trend Micro data and thousands of books to enhance enterprise security.

Trend Micro Security evangelist Udo Schneider revealed in an interview with MEF that Cybertron was initially an internal AI model, powering Trend Micro’s Vision One platform.

Now, the company is officially introducing it as a specialized large language model (LLM) built to drive proactive security outcomes using deep risk assessments and global threat intelligence.

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Nvidia Stock Dips After Earnings Report, Warns of Tighter Profit Margins

Reuters

Nvidia’s earnings report caused a significant market reaction, with the chipmaker’s stock falling 8.5% in New York immediately after the news.

While its quarterly sales of $43 billion slightly exceeded analysts’ estimates, the company warned that gross profit margins would be tighter than anticipated.

The results sent shockwaves through the market, with investors in Asia reacting negatively to Nvidia’s outlook, particularly as it signals less robust profit margins amid the ongoing AI spending boom.

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AWS Unveils Ocelot Quantum Chip, Promising 90% Reduction in Error Correction Costs

Reuters

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched Ocelot, its first quantum computing chip, which promises to reduce quantum error correction costs by up to 90%.

Developed at the AWS Center for Quantum Computing in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology, the chip addresses the challenge of qubit sensitivity, a major hurdle in quantum computing. AWS claims its design can reduce the resources required for error correction five to ten times more efficiently than conventional methods. This release places AWS in competition with other tech giants like Microsoft and Google, who have also unveiled their own quantum chips recently.

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xAI’s Grok 3 Sparks Debate with ‘Sexy’ Personalities and Looser Content Rules”

FT

Elon Musk’s xAI is pushing boundaries with its new Grok 3 chatbot, offering users preset personalities like “sexy” and “unhinged” to stand out from competitors. The model has fewer restrictions on adult content, a bold move aimed at attracting more engagement, the Financial Times reports citing people familiar with the matter.

Grok chatbot has quickly gained traction, with the app hitting 4 million downloads since its launch. According to Sensor Tower, the launch of the latest model boosted daily active usage by 330% in the U.S. But with a 12+ age rating, concerns are rising over user safety and age verification. Still, Musk’s integration of xAI with X (formerly Twitter) is making waves, showing how AI is now not just about productivity—but personality, too.

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MWC 2025: the big, the overhyped, and the underappreciated

Telecoms

At the upcoming MWC 2025 event in Barcelona, industry analysts predict that artificial intelligence (AI) will dominate discussions. Amy Cameron from STL Partners expects a strong focus on AI solutions for enterprises, including partnerships between telecom providers and major AI players, industry-specific large language models (LLMs), and a resurgence of edge computing driven by AI. Dean Bubley of Disruptive Analysis agrees, emphasizing the rise of generative AI (GenAI) within the telecom sector and the potential for mobile network operators (MNOs) to become “AI factories.” Discussions will likely revolve around trending AI innovations, such as DeepSeek or other emerging technologies at the time.

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MWC Barcelona: MEF Global Forum to Lead Discussions on Mobile Innovation, Security, and Future Trends

MEF

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is set to showcase not only the latest in mobile tech but also the future of the industry itself, with the MEF Global Forum Conference taking center stage on March 2nd and 3rd at Casa Llotja de Mar. Industry pioneers and thought leaders will discuss hot topics such as SMS, RCS, mobile evolution, telco APIs, payments, anti-fraud, security, and more.

Attendees will have the chance to gain insights and network during various roundtable discussions, coffee breaks, and lunch sessions. The event will be rounded off with the MEF Party on March 2nd—celebrating 25 years of MEF’s achievements with food, drinks, and entertainment, offering the perfect mix of business and pleasure. On March 3rd, the MEFFYS Awards will shine a spotlight on the industry’s finest, marking 20 years of innovation excellence with a glamorous red carpet evening.

And on March 4th, MEF will present “The Future of Mobile” at Fira Barcelona, where experts will debate the future challenges, threats, and opportunities in the mobile ecosystem, including topics like RCS, SMS, connectivity, and security. Stay tuned for more updates from MWC as MEF brings together the brightest minds in the mobile industry!

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