Police Arrest Teenagers Over Cyberattacks Targeting Major UK Retailers - 1

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Police Arrest Teenagers Over Cyberattacks Targeting Major UK Retailers

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

British police arrested four individuals on Thursday in connection with recent cyberattacks targeting major U.K. retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. Three of the suspects are teenagers and remain in custody for questioning.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • The British police arrested 4 suspects over the recent cyberattacks targeting UK retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods.
  • The suspects are three males—two aged 19 and one 17—and one female aged 20.
  • The NCA has not confirmed if they are members of the criminal group Scattered Spider.

According to the report published by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the four suspects—three males (two aged 19 and one aged 17), and one female aged 20—were arrested at their houses on multiple charges, including blackmail, money laundry, Computer Misuse Act offences, and participating in activities with a crime group.

“All four were arrested at their home addresses and had their electronic devices seized for digital forensic analysis,” states the report. “They remain in custody for questioning by officers from the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit in relation to the three attacks, which took place in April this year.”

The cyberattacks were reported in May, after Co-op confirmed that hackers had stolen private data from over 20 million members. The hacking group DragonForce claimed responsibility, but experts suspect the cybercriminals were following orders from the criminal organization Scattered Spider. Similar attacks to the other two large retailers were also reported shortly after.

According to the New York Times , Marks & Spencer was the most heavily impacted, suffering an estimated $407 million in lost profit this year due to the attack.

In June, Google warned that the hacker group Scattered Spider had been targeting retailers in the United States using similar methods. The criminal organization has been developing sophisticated technologies this year to develop powerful malware and phishing kits.

Video Game Actors End Strike After Securing AI Safeguards - 2

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Video Game Actors End Strike After Securing AI Safeguards

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Video game performers ended their year-long strike after SAG-AFTRA members ratified a new contract that protects their work from artificial intelligence misuse.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • The contract requires written consent to create digital replicas of performers.
  • Actors will be paid for AI replica creation and receive usage reports.
  • The agreement includes a 15% pay raise and annual increases over three years.

The AP reports that the vote involved 2,500 union members who supported the deal at a 95% rate for major companies: Activision, Electronic Arts, and Disney.

At the heart of the strike was a disagreement over the use of AI replication of actor performances , particularly motion capture work, which companies treated as “data” instead of creative work, as noted by the BBC .

The new contract now requires employers to obtain written consent before making digital replicas of performers, both during their lifetime and after death, unless specific posthumous use is permitted. Additionally, the new agreement requires performers to be compensated for time spent creating replicas, and will receive a detailed report about the usage of their likenesses, as reported by the AP.

SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said the contract includes “meaningful gains and important AI protections,” as reported by the AP. Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the game companies, called the agreement “historic,” citing “industry-leading AI protections” and “enhanced health and safety measures,” as reported by the BBC.

Voice actor Ashly Burch, known for roles in Life is Strange and Horizon Zero Dawn, supported the strike. “We just don’t want to be replaced,” she told the BBC, emphasizing the need for “consent, transparency, and compensation.”

While some performers continued work under interim deals during the strike, many faced financial strain. BBC reports that Actor Ray Chase noted the heavy toll on motion capture artists: “If you came out to Los Angeles to be a motion capture actor, then your entire existence is being threatened by AI.”

With a 15% pay raise upon ratification and annual increases over three years, the contract marks a significant step in protecting performers’ rights in the AI age. As one actor put it to the BBC, “We’re just so happy that we’ve found a peaceful resolution, for sure.”