/ News Briefs

ICANN Draws More Than 1,600 Applications in New gTLD Round

ICANN has received more than 1,600 applications for new generic top-level domains, setting the stage for administrative checks, public disclosure and potentially fierce competition over sought-after additions to the internet's expanding domain-name system.

Trump Enlists Private Firms for Offensive Cyber Operations

The Trump administration will allow vetted American companies to conduct surveillance and offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal groups, extending private-sector capabilities into cybercrime enforcement while keeping missions subject to federal approval, oversight and legal safeguards.

ICANN’s New gTLD Application Window Set to Close, Capping a Landmark Expansion Round

ICANN's second major domain expansion round closes August 12, with costly applications, support for 27 non-Latin scripts and stricter technical vetting setting the stage for a broader, more multilingual internet naming system.

Microsoft Launches AI Cybersecurity Model to Boost MDASH Performance and Cut Costs

Microsoft has unveiled a specialist cybersecurity AI model powering MDASH, claiming higher benchmark performance and lower costs while launching Project Perception, an agentic security platform designed to help defenders counter increasingly automated cyber threats.

Amazon Targets Satellite-to-Phone Market With 5,105-Satellite Leo Expansion

Amazon has outlined plans for a 5,105-satellite constellation that will connect smartphones directly from space, expanding emergency and mobile services while intensifying competition in the fast-growing satellite-to-device communications market.

The Long Wait for .web Ends

After a decade of legal disputes, Verisign has secured .web and will launch the long-awaited domain later this year, opening a new chapter in digital identity while raising fresh questions about pricing, adoption and competition.

Community Networks Offer a Durable Route Across the Digital Divide

An ITU report finds that community-owned networks, backed by reliable technology, flexible financing and supportive regulation, can bring affordable, meaningful internet access to remote populations that traditional providers have struggled to reach at lasting scale.

ZEGO’s Cyberattack Pushes Bavarian Textile Firm Into Insolvency

A cyberattack forced Bavarian textile specialist ZEGO into insolvency after a six-week production shutdown. The company is pursuing restructuring efforts to preserve jobs, customer relationships and its future amid growing cyber risks.

FBI Warns of Russian Cyber Campaign Targeting Vulnerable Routers

The FBI and international partners warn that Russia's FSB Center 16 is exploiting vulnerable routers worldwide, highlighting persistent weaknesses in network security and urging organizations to adopt stronger protections to safeguard critical infrastructure against intrusion.

UK Unveils AI Cyber Shield to Counter Machine-Speed Digital Threats

Britain is developing Cyber Shield, an AI-powered national cyber defense program designed to detect threats, automate responses and protect critical infrastructure as increasingly sophisticated attacks challenge conventional security and strain existing defensive capabilities.

Vinton Cerf Retires After Two Decades at Google, Looks Ahead to AI Interoperability

Internet pioneer Vinton Cerf will retire from Google after more than two decades, leaving a legacy that shaped the modern internet while predicting standardized protocols will become essential for the next generation of autonomous AI agents.

Spain to Require Four Hours of Mobile Service During Power Blackouts

Spain will require telecom operators to keep mobile networks running for up to four hours during power outages, introducing phased resilience standards, stronger emergency communications safeguards and stricter backup requirements for critical digital infrastructure.

CENTR Warns Against Excessive Burdens in EU Cybersecurity Overhaul

Europe's national domain registries support the EU's Cybersecurity Act 2 but warn that supplier restrictions, overlapping compliance rules and broad supply chain definitions could undermine critical internet infrastructure and burden essential service operators.

Researchers Uncover Browser-Based SSD Side Channel That Can Track User

Researchers have uncovered a browser-based technique that exploits SSD activity through local storage features, allowing malicious websites to infer user behavior, identify visited sites and applications, and potentially expand online tracking without special permissions.

Blank Domain Names Surpass Websites in Value for the First Time, Report Finds

The domain name market recorded its strongest quarter in three years as .com sales hit a record high and investors poured capital into undeveloped web assets, signaling growing demand for premium digital real estate and scarce online identities.