Dirty water, death and decline: the inside story of a privatisation scandal
A Guardian investigation reveals UK water privatization has loaded companies with debt while infrastructure crumbles. Secret 2002 government reports predicted this outcome. UN special rapporteur Pedro Arrojo-Agudo criticizes the system, while Thames Water—serving 16 million customers—struggles with £20bn debts and private equity owners demand 15-year exemptions from environmental rules.
The Guardian • Mar 1
CORPORATE REGULATION INFRASTRUCTURE
AI just leveled up and there are no guardrails anymore
New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores authored the first major AI safety law in the US and is now running for Congress, becoming a target for deregulation advocates. The article examines how AI development is accelerating faster than governance frameworks can adapt, with the Anthropic-Pentagon conflict highlighting the tension between safety constraints and government pressure.
CNBC • Mar 1
CORPORATE SURVEILLANCE REGULATION
Rising carbon dioxide levels now detected in human blood
Researchers have for the first time detected rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels within the human body, with a key blood marker approaching its healthy limit within decades if current trends continue. The findings are especially relevant for children and adolescents, who face the longest cumulative exposure to rising atmospheric CO₂ during their developmental years.
Phys.org • Feb 28
TECH ENVIRONMENT
Ultrahuman bets on redesigned smart ring to win back US market after Oura dispute
Ultrahuman unveiled the Ring Pro, a redesigned smart ring engineered to work around Oura's patents following a US International Trade Commission ruling that blocked Ultrahuman's previous models from the American market. Ring Pro features 15-day battery life, on-chip machine learning for data processing, and ProRelease safety technology allowing the device to be cut off in emergencies. The company launched Jade, a real-time biointelligence AI system analyzing health data across devices to generate personalized recommendations. Global smart ring shipments grew 80% year-over-year in 2025.
TechCrunch • Feb 28
CORPORATE NEOCORP TECH
India Built the World's Back Office. A.I. Is Starting to Shrink It.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to automate the white-collar outsourcing work that transformed India into a global technology powerhouse. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi framed AI as a civilizational transformation comparable to electricity, while industry workers deploy chatbots designed to eliminate the call center and back-office jobs that once lifted millions into the middle class. The country is racing to adapt its workforce before automation outpaces retraining and economic transition efforts.
The New York Times • Feb 28
LABOR AUTOMATION INEQUALITY
The Case for Why Better Breach Transparency Matters
RSA Conference session led by security consultants Adam Shostack and Adrian Sanabria highlights systemic lack of feedback mechanisms in cybersecurity incident response, arguing that mandated detailed breach disclosure is essential to reduce cyber-risk. Current US requirements vary state-by-state with publicly traded companies only obligated to report material-impact incidents, while The British Library's 2023 ransomware after-action report cited as rare example of comprehensive public accountability.
Dark Reading • Feb 28
PRIVACY REGULATION CYBERCRIME
Opinion: Red lines and Red flags
The Pentagon is demanding unrestricted military use of Anthropic's Claude AI, threatening contract termination and supply-chain penalties if the company maintains current usage restrictions. More than 200 engineers at major AI firms signed petitions opposing unrestricted military use amid fears that national security demands could override ethical AI development norms. The dispute centers on whether AI providers can simultaneously safeguard human values while meeting military operational requirements.
The Next Web • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION CYBERWAR
Ransomware payments cratered in 2025
Chainalysis research shows ransomware payments dropped to record lows in 2025 despite attacks surging 50% year-over-year, with over 8,000 organizations publicly named on leak sites according to Emsisoft data. Developed economies remain primary targets with the US leading followed by Canada, Germany, and UK, while high-profile victims included Jaguar Land Rover's costliest UK cyber incident and Marks & Spencer's Scattered Spider-linked breach wiping hundreds of millions in market value.
The Register • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION CYBERCRIME
Trump directs US agencies to toss Anthropic's AI as Pentagon calls startup a supply risk
The Trump administration ordered federal agencies to immediately cease using Anthropic technology after the AI company refused Pentagon demands to remove guardrails on its Claude model for autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk to national security—a label typically reserved for firms from adversarial nations like China—blocking any military contractor from working with the company. The $200 million defense contract represented a small portion of Anthropic's $14 billion revenue, but the blacklisting threatens its planned public offering and broader business relationships. Anthropic stated it would challenge the designation in court.
Reuters • Feb 28
CORPORATE SURVEILLANCE REGULATION
AI deepfakes are a train wreck and Samsung's selling tickets
Samsung executives acknowledged that AI-generated imagery is eroding the concept of photographic evidence, yet expressed little urgency about implementing protective measures. During a product launch, Samsung's mobile chief admitted the company sees a divide between users who want AI photo features and those concerned about reality erosion, while dodging questions about whether users should be able to remove AI watermarks from generated photos.
The Verge • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE SOCIAL MEMETIC
Fintech company Block lays off 4,000 of its 10,000 staff, citing gains from AI
Block, the fintech company behind Square and Cash App, announced it will eliminate more than 4,000 positions—over 40% of its workforce—explicitly citing efficiency gains from artificial intelligence. CEO Jack Dorsey stated that "intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company," framing the cuts as a permanent structural transformation rather than temporary cost-cutting. The announcement triggered a 20% surge in Block's stock price in after-hours trading as investors embraced the AI-driven efficiency narrative. The move represents one of the largest single AI-linked layoffs to date at a major profitable technology company.
AP News • Feb 28
FINANCE LABOR POSTLABOR
CISA replaces acting director after a bumbling year on the job
Madhu Gottumukkala is being replaced as acting director of CISA after a year marked by staff cuts, layoffs, reassignments, and alleged security lapses. The shakeup at the nation's primary cybersecurity agency comes amid rising congressional scrutiny and concerns about the organization's capacity to defend critical infrastructure. Nick Andersen will take over as acting director while Gottumukkala moves to a strategic implementation role at DHS.
TechCrunch • Feb 28
REGULATION CYBERWAR TECH
These former government tech leaders are prepping day-one plans for a future administration
A coalition of former government technology leaders including US Digital Service veterans and former VA CTO Marina Nitze have formed "Tech Viaduct" to prepare comprehensive day-one plans for the next presidential administration. The group aims to reform federal procurement, civil service, and oversight processes to enable effective technology delivery in government. The initiative reflects recognition that institutional capacity for technology governance has eroded and requires structural intervention regardless of political outcome.
Government Executive • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION TECH
How a million new satellites could turn night into day
SpaceX has proposed deploying up to one million satellites to create orbital data centers, while a separate startup seeks FCC approval to deploy reflective satellites that would beam sunlight to Earth at night. The Washington Post reports these proposals threaten to transform the night sky into a permanent artificial twilight, with satellites outnumbering visible stars and fundamentally altering humanity's relationship with the cosmos.
The Washington Post • Feb 28
CORPORATE NEOCORP INFRASTRUCTURE
Could a niche 80s technology be the key to better quantum computers?
SEEQC, a quantum computing startup, is reviving superconducting computing circuits first explored in the 1980s to build more efficient quantum processors. New Scientist reports that the company, operating from a former IBM superconducting computing facility in New York, is developing digital single flux quantum technology that could dramatically reduce the energy costs and error rates plaguing current quantum systems.
New Scientist • Feb 28
CORPORATE TECH INFRASTRUCTURE
Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more
New federal legislation aims to establish voluntary AI testing standards through NIST and mandate chip-enabled security for SNAP benefit cards to prevent fraud. The AI innovation bill would codify the Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation within NIST to develop unified AI standards through public-private partnerships. Separate bipartisan legislation addresses cybersecurity gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by requiring chip technology for EBT cards, which currently lack the protections standard for credit cards.
Nextgov/FCW • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE REGULATION TECH
Ultrahuman is expanding its health monitoring ecosystem with the launch of Ring Pro smart ring and Jade “biointelligence AI” platform upgrade
Ultrahuman Ring Pro extends battery life to 15 days with 250 days of on-device health history storage, eliminating cloud dependency for continuous biomonitoring. The Jade AI platform introduces agentic capabilities that analyze health data across devices to generate personalized recommendations. Launch occurs amid patent litigation with Oura that has locked Ultrahuman out of the US market.
The Verge • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE BIOMETRICS TECH
FCC approves the merger of cable giants Cox and Charter
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Charter Communications' $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Enterprises' residential cable, commercial fiber, and managed IT businesses. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr claimed the merger will expand rural connectivity and keep jobs in the U.S. The deal creates one of the largest cable and Wi-Fi providers in the country, consolidating significant telecommunications infrastructure under a single entity. The approval follows a pattern of merger-friendly decisions under the current FCC leadership.
Engadget • Feb 28
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
Conduent Data Breach Could Affect 25M People. Learn How to Protect Your Online Accounts
A ransomware attack on government contractor Conduent has exposed personal data of 25 million Americans across multiple state healthcare programs, including names, Social Security numbers, and medical information. The SafePay ransomware gang spent three months in Conduent's systems before discovery, exfiltrating approximately 8 terabytes of data. Many affected individuals were unaware their data flowed through Conduent's backend systems, highlighting systemic supply-chain vulnerabilities in government technology procurement.
CNET • Feb 27
CORPORATE SURVEILLANCE REGULATION
Acting head of the nation's cyber agency reassigned amid rising congressional scrutiny
Madhu Gottumukkala, the acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has been reassigned to a new DHS role as director of strategic implementation. The move comes amid expected congressional questioning about his leadership decisions and connections to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, now DHS Secretary. CISA faces growing oversight as Republican lawmakers scrutinize its disinformation research partnerships and seek to refocus the agency toward core infrastructure protection mandates.
POLITICO • Feb 27
SURVEILLANCE REGULATION CYBERWAR
Mistral AI inks a deal with global consulting giant Accenture
French AI startup Mistral AI signed a multi-year partnership with Accenture, the global consulting firm that has also recently announced partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic. The deal positions Accenture as the dominant channel for enterprise AI deployment, giving it control over how businesses access and implement competing AI systems. Accenture aims to capture the consulting and integration market as enterprises struggle to find return on investment from AI tools and turn to consultants for deployment assistance.
TechCrunch • Feb 27
CORPORATE NEOCORP AUTOMATION
Block Cuts 40% of Its Work Force Because of Its Embrace of A.I.
Block, the fintech company behind Square and Cash App, is laying off approximately 4,000 employees—nearly half its workforce—explicitly citing AI automation as the driving force. CEO Jack Dorsey stated that "intelligence tools" now enable "smaller, highly talented teams" to accomplish more, with CFO Amrita Ahuja noting the cuts position Block for "long-term growth" through automation. The announcement triggered a 20%+ surge in Block's stock, signaling market approval for AI-driven workforce reduction as a profit-maximization strategy.
The New York Times • Feb 27
LABOR POSTLABOR AUTOMATION
The Silicon Valley billionaires spending big to write America's AI rules
Silicon Valley billionaires are investing heavily in 2026 midterm elections to shape AI regulation, funding candidates across party lines to influence policy outcomes on algorithmic governance, export controls, and intellectual property. The spending aims to prevent restrictive AI legislation and maintain industry self-regulation as Congress and state legislatures debate AI oversight measures. The effort represents an unprecedented alliance of tech capital seeking to capture regulatory frameworks before they solidify.
Financial Times • Feb 27
CORPORATE GEOPOLITICS INEQUALITY
Trump announced a major deal on data centers. It's still unclear what's in it.
President Trump announced a "Rate Payer Protection Pledge" during his State of the Union address, claiming major tech companies agreed to build their own power plants for data centers so consumers don't pay for AI's energy appetite. Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle, and OpenAI are expected to sign the pledge on March 4. Lawmakers from both parties remain skeptical, noting the absence of enforcement mechanisms or policy specifics, and the Data Center Coalition spent nearly $1 million on lobbying in 2025.
Politico • Feb 27
CORPORATE NEOCORP REGULATION
Microsoft's Japan Chief Stresses Compliance With Azure Antitrust Probe
Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided Microsoft Japan's Tokyo offices on February 25, investigating whether Microsoft's cloud service practices violate anti-monopoly laws. The probe examines allegations that Microsoft blocks Azure customers from using rival cloud services—tactics mirroring Microsoft's licensing practices already under scrutiny by UK, EU, and US regulators. Microsoft's Japan president stated the company is "fully cooperating" as regulators also seek information from Microsoft's US parent company.
Bloomberg • Feb 27
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
How Chinese AI Chatbots Censor Themselves
Stanford and Princeton researchers found that Chinese AI models including DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen are significantly more likely than Western counterparts to dodge political questions or deliver inaccurate responses on sensitive topics. The study reveals systematic self-censorship mechanisms embedded in Chinese AI systems, with researchers finding techniques to force models to expose their hidden refusal instructions.
WIRED • Feb 27
CORPORATE GEOPOLITICS REGULATION