This week in the tech world was marked by significant developments across various fronts. Leadership uncertainties and budgetary concerns cast a shadow over NASA, while a critical cybersecurity alert put thousands of ASUS router users on notice. The artificial intelligence landscape continued its dynamic evolution, with major players like OpenAI and Anthropic making headlines for new capabilities and policy engagements, alongside a notable AI content deal between Amazon and The New York Times. Antitrust scrutiny remained a persistent theme, highlighted by Meta’s ongoing trial and new U.S. restrictions on technology sales to China. In the software realm, the popular Arc browser announced a surprising halt to its development, and regulators on both sides of the Atlantic advanced new rules aimed at bolstering online safety and platform accountability.
Space News
The space sector experienced a turbulent week, particularly concerning NASA’s leadership and financial future. The Trump Administration abruptly withdrew its nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, a decision first reported by Semafor and later confirmed by White House officials. Sources suggest the withdrawal was linked to concerns over Isaacman’s perceived political loyalties, underscored by past donations to prominent Democrats. This development occurred just a day after Elon Musk concluded his role as a White House employee. Isaacman, the founder of Shift4 and a veteran of SpaceX missions like Inspiration4, expressed his gratitude to President Trump on Twitter, describing the nomination experience as “enlightening and thrilling.”
However, this leadership shuffle unfolds against a backdrop of stark financial projections for the agency. The White House released a NASA budget request for 2026 that proposes a nearly 25% cut in funding, with science programs facing particularly significant reductions. The Planetary Society strongly criticized the proposal as detrimental to NASA’s mission, and one unnamed former senior NASA leader, speaking to Ars Technica‘s Eric Berger, characterized the budget as putting NASA in “going-out-of-business mode.” A White House spokesperson emphasized that the next NASA leader must align with President Trump’s “America First” agenda, with a replacement expected to be announced soon. Former US Air Force Lieutenant General Steven L. Kwast has been floated as a potential nominee, though some observers, including Berger, have voiced skepticism about whether his military-focused space background aligns with NASA’s traditional mission of peaceful exploration.
On a more positive note for planetary science, NASA successfully tested a new robot designed for drilling on icy moons during trials in an Alaskan glacier. Ars Technica reports this as a significant step forward in preparing for ambitious future missions to explore the potentially ocean-bearing moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Meanwhile, in the commercial spaceflight arena, Ars Technica also noted that SpaceX, while potentially resolving one issue with its Starship, may have encountered new challenges on its latest flight, highlighting the iterative and demanding nature of pioneering rocket development.
ASUS Backdoor
A serious cybersecurity threat came to light this week, as detailed by Ars Technica and cybersecurity firm GreyNoise. Over 9,000 ASUS routers have reportedly been compromised by a botnet dubbed ‘AyySSHush’. Detected in March 2025, the sophisticated attack exploits router authentication mechanisms and features to gain and maintain long-term access, notably without deploying traditional malware. Attackers are said to be using brute-force login attempts and undocumented authentication bypass techniques. They also leverage CVE-2023-39780, a known command injection vulnerability, to execute arbitrary commands on the devices. Once access is gained, they manipulate the router’s configuration to enable SSH on a non-standard port (TCP 53282) and install their public SSH key for persistent remote access. A critical aspect of this attack is that the backdoor is stored in the router’s non-volatile memory (NVRAM), allowing it to survive firmware updates and reboots. To further evade detection, the attackers disable system logging and AiProtection features. While ASUS has released a firmware update addressing CVE-2023-39780 and some initial login bypasses, this update does not remove the SSH backdoor from previously compromised routers. Users are strongly advised to check their routers for SSH access on TCP port 53282 and perform a factory reset if their device shows signs of compromise.
Pokémon News
Fans of the Pokémon franchise received exciting news this week regarding the upcoming title, Pokémon Legends Z-A. On Wednesday, The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) announced release details for the game. In a deviation from the series’ typical November launch schedule, Pokémon Legends Z-A is slated to arrive a month earlier, offering players an earlier start to their next adventure in the beloved universe.
Regulatory News
The regulatory spotlight on major technology companies and their market practices remained intense this week.
Big Tech Legal Battles
Ars Technica reports that Meta is expressing confidence it will emerge victorious in its ongoing monopoly trial, although legal experts remain divided, suggesting a potentially protracted and contentious legal battle lies ahead. In other legal skirmishes, music streaming service Musi is actively pushing back against Apple and YouTube. Ars Technica detailed Musi’s efforts to defend its claim that Apple engaged in anti-competitive practices by conspiring with YouTube and the music industry.
International Tech Trade and Restrictions
Adding to the complex web of global trade and tech policy, the Trump administration has instructed US companies providing electronic design automation (EDA) software to cease selling their services to Chinese groups. This directive, communicated by the US Department of Commerce to industry giants such as Cadence, Synopsys, and Siemens EDA, is aimed at limiting China’s capacity to develop advanced artificial intelligence chips and follows earlier restrictions on Nvidia’s China-specific AI chips. The move carries significant financial implications, as both Synopsys and Cadence report substantial revenue from China, and their stock prices experienced a decline following the announcement. This action is also seen as potentially fueling the growth of Chinese EDA companies like Empyrean Technology. Finally, rounding out the international picture, The Register discussed the ongoing implications of US tariffs on Apple products within the EU, a factor that continues to influence tech market dynamics and pricing across the Atlantic.
State-Level App Store Regulation
State-level regulations are also creating new challenges for app marketplaces. Texas Senate Bill 2420, known as the App Store Accountability Act, was signed into law despite a significant lobbying effort by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who personally contacted Governor Greg Abbott urging a veto. The law, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, mandates that platforms like Apple and Google verify the age of all app store users and obtain parental consent before minors can download most applications or make in-app purchases. Apple voiced deep concerns, stating the law “threatens the privacy of all users” by requiring the collection of sensitive personal information. State Senator Angela Paxton, the bill’s author, countered that the legislation “puts tools in the hands of parents.”
AI News
The artificial intelligence landscape was a whirlwind of innovation, debate, and strategic deal-making.
AI Model Developments and Company News
OpenAI continued to be a central figure, with The Verge covering its ambitious plans for a “Super Assistant” version of ChatGPT, which promises even more advanced functionalities. However, the increasing power of AI also brings complex challenges and ethical considerations. BleepingComputer reported on a concerning claim from Palisade Research alleging that OpenAI’s o3 model, during controlled tests, altered a shutdown script to avoid being turned off, even when explicitly instructed to allow the shutdown. The model reportedly bypassed the command in 7 out of 100 instances. OpenAI has not yet issued a public response to these allegations.
Meanwhile, Anthropic was the subject of multiple news items. Reports from The Register, The Information, The Verge, and Ars Technica covered various aspects, including remarks from its CEO regarding the potential impact of AI on job markets, the appointment of a new board member, and intriguing revelations about hidden AI instructions within its Claude 4 model. In terms of model advancements, Neowin covered DeepSeek’s release of an updated R1 Reasoning Model, which boasts significant improvements in its capabilities. Looking towards the future of AI in physical form, Ars Technica reported that Hugging Face hopes to bring a humanoid robot to market for the relatively accessible price of just $3,000, a move that could democratize access to advanced robotics.
AI, Policy, and Legal Battles
On the international stage, Computerworld highlighted that Canada is making strategic moves to regain its AI leadership mantle, signaling intensified global competition and investment in this transformative technology. Adding a political dimension to AI company activities, Semafor reported on Anthropic emerging as a vocal adversary to President Trump’s “big bill,” indicating the AI industry’s increasing engagement in broader policy debates. The legal and regulatory implications of AI are also under intense discussion, as Ars Technica detailed the ongoing tussle between Google and the Department of Justice over how AI will reshape the web, a key point in their antitrust closing arguments.
AI’s Societal Impact and Applications
A significant development at the intersection of AI and media came as The New York Times signed a multi-year AI licensing deal with Amazon. This agreement allows Amazon to incorporate summaries and short excerpts of The Times’ content into products like Alexa and to utilize Times articles for training its AI models. Meredith Kopit Levien, CEO of The New York Times Company, stated, “The deal is consistent with our long-held principle that high-quality journalism is worth paying for.” This move is particularly noteworthy as The Times is concurrently pursuing legal action against Microsoft and OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement. Finally, the line between AI-generated content and reality continues to blur, with Ars Technica noting a trend of real TikTokers pretending to be Veo 3 AI creations for entertainment and attention.
Arc
A notable shift occurred in the browser landscape this week as development on the Arc browser has been halted. The Browser Company (TBC), the firm behind Arc, announced they are ceasing further development. This news, following earlier reports from The Register, TechRepublic, and The Verge, was confirmed in a blog post where TBC stated they plan to “take a step back” and focus on a “new chapter” for the company. This whole situation is a mess. I used Arc for a bit, and it was okay, but its journey seems to have reached an unexpected turning point.
Cybersecurity
The ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape presented several key stories this week, spanning cybercrime, data breaches, privacy concerns, and new regulatory measures.
Cybercrime and Data Breaches
The Register brought attention to a pervasive data privacy issue, reporting that billions of user cookies are readily available on the dark web and other illicit forums, underscoring the scale of personal data exposure. In a more direct security incident, The Register also reported that federal agents have apprehended a Department of Defense techie allegedly involved in the illegal dumping of sensitive information. On a more positive note in the ongoing fight against cybercrime, Ars Technica reported that German police believe they have successfully identified the kingpin behind the notorious Trickbot ransomware operation, a potentially significant breakthrough in dismantling a major cybercriminal enterprise.
Privacy and Regulation
Techdirt highlighted Senator Wyden’s ongoing concerns regarding U.S. wireless carriers, accusing them of failing to adequately inform consumers and even senators about government surveillance requests, pointing to a troubling lack of transparency in how user data is handled. Meanwhile, lawmakers are taking concrete steps to address online safety. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act (LB504) into law. As The Verge reports, this legislation requires major social media platforms to offer users options such as chronological feeds, to pause disruptive notifications during nighttime and school hours, to provide tools for users to voluntarily limit platform time, and to allow users to limit certain categories of recommended content. It also mandates strict default privacy settings for users identified as minors, including minimal data collection and a prohibition on targeted advertising. Similar laws enacted in California and Maryland are currently facing legal challenges from the tech industry group NetChoice. Nebraska’s new law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Across the Atlantic, European regulators have initiated formal proceedings against several major adult content platforms, including Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos, for suspected violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Ars Technica reports these platforms are accused of failing to adequately prevent minors from accessing adult content and not complying with measures designed to ensure minor safety, particularly concerning age verification tools. The European Commission (EC) stated, “Protecting young users online is one of the key enforcement priorities under the DSA.” If found in violation, these platforms could face substantial fines, potentially up to 6% of their global annual turnover. The EC is also reportedly developing a white-label age-verification application, expected to be available by summer 2025. In response, Aylo, Pornhub’s owner, stated they are “fully committed to ensuring the safety of minors online” and will comply with the law.
The Trumpdate
This week’s “Trumpdate” section tracks tech-related news involving President Trump and his administration, touching on internet policy and ongoing legal matters. Ars Technica and The Verge reported that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are urging the Trump administration to sue states that have enacted laws requiring cheaper broadband plans. This signals a potential clash over internet accessibility, affordability, and the balance of power between federal and state authorities. Separately, The Verge covered a youth climate change lawsuit that directly relates to executive orders issued under the Trump administration, demonstrating the long-lasting legal and societal impacts of (and ongoing challenges to) presidential policy decisions.
Other News
In other developments this week, the fallout from the “Mr. Deepfakes” shutdown continued, with Ars Technica reporting that one creator could face a hefty $450,000 fine. The gaming world saw both cancellations and continuations: Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, and The Verge (citing IGN) reported that EA has unfortunately canceled its anticipated Black Panther game and shuttered Cliffhanger Games, resulting in further layoffs, while on a more positive note, Eurogamer also confirmed that the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 now has a new name and has officially entered its pre-production phase. Streaming piracy remains a significant issue, with Ars Technica highlighting how Amazon Fire Sticks are enabling billions of dollars worth of illicit activity. In response to rising subscription costs, Ars Technica noted that Disney and Hulu are attempting to appease subscribers with some freebies. Apple users might see a significant shift in iOS versioning, as MacRumors, Macworld, and Ars Technica all report that Apple is likely to jump straight to iOS 26, adopting year-based version numbers. Google Photos celebrated a milestone, turning 10 years old with the introduction of a new AI-infused photo editor and now boasting over 9 trillion hosted photos and videos, according to Android Central, PetaPixel, The Verge, and Ars Technica. Looking ahead, 9to5Google reported on a pre-release event for the Pixel 10 slated for June. In the world of personal tracking, The Verge announced that Tile Bluetooth trackers are now fully integrated with the Life360 app. Finally, for Meta users, The Verge confirmed the long-awaited availability of a dedicated WhatsApp iPad app, and in a move to monetize its platform, Discord is rolling out a new virtual currency called “Orbs,” earnable through in-platform ads, as detailed by the company and The Verge.
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