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• A Special Committee within the US Congress concluded that DeepSeek AI represents a profound threat to US national security
• The report reveals data privacy and security issues, the use of tracking tools, and even links with the Chinese Army, among others
• DeepSeek AI has been under fire since its release in January, with many countries either issuing investigations or bans on privacy grounds

Although appearing as another AI chatbot, DeepSeek represents a profound threat to US national security. This is the verdict from the US Congress' latest report on the Chinese AI tool, which has sent shockwaves through the AI world since its release last January.

Crucially, the Special Committee within the US Congress found privacy and security issues with how the chatbot managed Americans' data, the use of tracking tools in its system, the spread of Chinese propaganda, and even links with the Chinese Army, among others.

The findings come as DeepSeek is under fire in many countries, the US included, that have either initiated investigations or enforced bans on the Chinese software on privacy and security grounds.

The risk for Americans’ data

"DeepSeek represents a profound threat to our nation’s security," reads the US Congress report. "Closer inspection reveals that the app siphons data back to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), creates security vulnerabilities for its users, and relies on a model that covertly censors and manipulates information pursuant to Chinese law."

As per the company's privacy policy, DeepSeek collects a vast amount of users' data, "including chat history, device details, and even the way a person types," notes the experts.

It's worth noting that invasive data collection practices aren't a prerogative of the Chinese chatbot. For instance, research conducted by one of the best VPN providers, Surfshark, found that Google Gemini collects even more of your personal data.

Yet, the issue here for Americans' data is that these details are funneled back to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) via an insecure infrastructure connected to a Chinese telecom company thought to have links with the Chinese Army – China Mobile.

In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned China Mobile from operating in the United States. The company was officially designated a national security threat three years later.

The report confirms what experts at Feroot Security also uncovered back in February: hardcoded links in DeepSeek’s web login page that directly connect it to China Mobile.

"While the extent of data transmission remains unconfirmed, DeepSeek’s integration with China Mobile infrastructure raises serious concerns about potential foreign access to Americans’ private information," reads the report.

The investigations also found that DeepSeek integrates tracking tools from Chinese tech giants that the US government previously flagged over security concerns, including TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, Baidu, and Tencent.

"Together, these firms constitute a well-documented apparatus of surveillance, censorship, and data exploitation, which DeepSeek reinforces," wrote experts.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Worse still, researchers have found that DeepSeek does little to protect the information it collects.

"For these reasons, it is evident that the DeepSeek website and app act as a direct channel for foreign intelligence gathering on Americans’ private data."

Allegations over the spread of Chinese propaganda, censorship, unauthorized usage of US AI models, and unlawful usage of restricted Nvidia chips have also been raised.

The Committee now recommends expanding export controls and addressing risks from Chinese AI models, while preparing for strategic surprise related to advanced AI.

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• DOGE's cancelled contracts could cost IBM up to $100 million
• IBM's consulting business is worth $5.1 billion, down 2% year-over-year
• IBM is still banking on revenue growth, noting continues interest in artificial intelligence

IBM CFO James Kavanaugh has revealed 15 federal contracts between the US government and the tech giant had been cancelled, paused or suspended as a result of Elon Musk's DOGE efficiency initiative, potentially costing the company up to $100 million.

Both Kavanaugh and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna later downplayed the impact of DOGE's cutbacks, citing them as a small fraction of their $30 billion consulting backlog.

"This is like less than $100 million of backlog over a duration of multiple years," Kavanaugh said.

IBM loses US government contracts due to DOGE

The news came as IBM announced its first-quarter results for fiscal year 2025, noting a small 1% year-over-year increase in revenue to $14.5 billion.

Speaking about the lost contracts, Kavanaugh said: "While no one’s immune, we are absolutely focused on monitoring the identity dynamic process."

According to TechCrunch reporting, federal contracts make up around 5-10% of IBM's consulting business, but Krishna emphasized most contracts are for critical services like veterans' benefits, GSA procurement and payroll systems, therefore only a small portion of its contracts are considered vulnerable to cuts.

Consulting revenues for the company in Q1 stood at $5.1 billion, or around 35% of its total revenue, but they were down 2% year-over-year. Its infrastructure business saw a steeper 6% drop in quarterly revenue, while software surged with a 7% rise in revenue to $6.3 billion.

"While the macroeconomic environment is fluid, based on what we know today, we are maintaining our full-year expectations for revenue growth and free cash flow," Krishna said, noting that interest in generative AI continues to rise.

The news comes in the same month that the US Department of Defense shared a staggering $5.1 billion in savings by cancelling contracts, bringing its DOGE-fuelled savings to nearly $6 billion.

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Last month, Netflix bulked out its library of movies and shows with highly anticipated new shows like Love on the Spectrum, which I devoured in one sitting, and Black Mirror season 7, which was certainly an improvement from its preceding season. Netflix's May 2025 schedule is another packed list, with a particularly big emphasis on movies.

May 1 alone is inundated with some stand-out titles including the entire Twilight saga and The Lego Movie (2014), however recent Oscar nominee and my favorite animated movie of last year The Wild Robot (2024) will find its home on Netflix on May 24. This also gives you an excuse to revisit my interview with Chris Sanders, the movie's director.

Of course it wouldn't be a classic Netflix schedule without a good handful of original titles, and horror fans should be in delight that another movie in the popular Fear Street series is coming soon. The fourth movie, Fear Street: Prom Queen, lands on Netflix on May 23, continuing the platform's original series of RL Stine adaptations.

But Netflix hasn't forgotten about its original shows either, and one of its biggest TV title arriving this month is Big Mouth which is returning for its eighth and final season, making it one of the longest running original shows on one of the best streaming services.

Everything new on Netflix in May 2025

Arriving on May 1

Airport (movie)
Airport '77 (movie)
Airport 1975 (movie)
Ali (movie)
American Gangster (movie)
American Graffiti (movie)
Burn After Reading (movie)
Constantine (movie)
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (movie)
Dawn of the Dead (movie)
Eat Pray Love (movie)
The Equalizer 2 (movie)
Hanna (movie)
Home (movie)
The Jerk (movie)
The Lego Movie (movie)
Mid90s (movie)
The Mule (movie)
Ocean's Eleven (movie)
Ocean's Thirteen (movie)
Ocean's Twelve (movie)
The Paper Tigers (movie)
Past Lives (movie)
Sisters (movie)
Starship Troopers (movie)
The Sugarland Express (movie)
Trainwreck (movie)
Trolls (movie)
Twilight (movie)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (movie)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (movie)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 (movie)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (movie)
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (movie)

Arriving on May 2

Peninsula (movie)
Train to Busan (movie)
Unseen season 2 (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 4

Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Netflix comedy special)

Arriving on May 5

Britain and The Blitz (Netflix documentary)
Mighty Monsterwheelies season 2 (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 6

The Devil's Plan season 2 (Netflix original series)
Untold: Shooting Guards (Netflix documentary)

Arriving on May 7

Full Speed season 2 (Netflix original series)
Last Bullet (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on May 8

Blood of Zeus season 3 (Netflix original series)
FOREVER (Netflix original series)
Heart Eyes (movie)
Karol G: Tomorrow was Beautiful (Netflix documentary)

Arriving on May 9

A Deadly American Marriage (Netflix documentary)
Bad Influence (Netflix original movie)
Nonnas (Netflix original movie)
The Royals (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 11

ABBA: Against the Odds (documentary)

Arriving on May 12

Tastefully Yours (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 13

All American season 7 (TV show)
Bad Thoughts (Netflix original series)
Untold: The Liver King (Netflix documentary)

Arriving on May 14

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (Netflix documentary)
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story (Netflix documentary)
Married at First Sight season 17 (TV show)
Smile (movie)
Snakes and Ladders (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 15

Bet (Netflix original series)
Love, Death & Robots volume 4 (Netflix original series)
Franklin (Netflix original series)
Pernille season 5 (Netflix original series)
Secrets We Keep (Netflix original series)
Thank You, Next season 2 (Netflix original series)
Vini Jr. (Netflix documentary)

Arriving on May 16

Dear Hongrang (Netflix original series)
Football Parents (Netflix original series)
The Quilters (Netflix documentary)
Rotten Legacy (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 20

Sarah Silverman: Postmortem (Netflix comedy special)
Untold: The Fall of Favre (Netflix documentary)

Arriving on May 21

Newly Rich, Newly Poor (Netflix original series)
Real Men (Netflix original series)
Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark (Netflix original series)
The UnXplained with William Shatner season 6 (TV show)

Arriving on May 22

Sirens (Netflix original series)
Tyler Perry’s She The People (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 23

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (Netflix documentary)
Big Mouth season 8 (Netflix original series)
Fear Street: Prom Queen (Netflix original movie)
Forget You Not (Netflix original series)
Off Track 2 (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on May 24

Our Unwritten Seoul (Netflix original series)
The Wild Robot (movie)

Arriving on May 26

CoComelon season 13 (Netflix original series)
Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders (Netflix documentary)
Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life (Netflix comedy special)

Arriving on May 28

F1: The Academy (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 29

Dept. Q (Netflix original series)

Arriving on May 30

A Widow's Game (Netflix original movie)
The Heart Knows (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on May 31

Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event (Netflix live event)

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• Hori has revealed its new Nintendo Switch 2 camera for handheld gaming
• The licensed camera is more compact than the official Nintendo camera and can be plugged into the Switch 2's USB-C port
• The camera is expected to release the same day as the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025

Hori has unveiled its new Nintendo Switch 2 camera, designed specifically for handheld mode.

Following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct earlier this month, you might have caught the news that Hori is releasing a Piranha Plant camera, an alternative to Nintendo's mounted camera, that can be used with the console's Game Chat feature.

That device is intended to be used in docked mode on a TV, but now Hori has also announced a camera designed for handheld play.

As reported by Nintendo Everything, the officially licensed camera was spotted on Amazon Japan and will launch the same day as the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, for 3,981 yen, which is roughly $30.

This camera is much smaller than the Piranha Plant and Nintendo's official camera and appears to offer three different stand options. One option allows users to detach the camera from its base and plug it into the Switch 2's USB-C port, so it can sit at the top of the console and capture the player's face while gaming in handheld mode.

The base of the camera also acts as a mount that can be rested on a TV stand like any other camera, so it appears to work in docked mode as well as handheld.

While Nintendo's official camera offers 1080p resolution, it seems that Hori's device only allows up to 480p, much like its other Piranha Plant shaped device.

Since the information is only available in Japan as of writing, we'll likely receive more details on the camera when an official western announcement is made.

When the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, it will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.

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• A new layout for the Pixel lock screen has been spotted
• Parts of the at-a-glance widget could be repositioned
• The full Android 16 update is expected to land during June

With Android 16 now rapidly coming over the horizon and straight for our phones, we're learning more and more about the features it's going to bring with it – including, potentially, a revamped design for the lock screen on Pixel devices.

This comes from some digging that Android Authority has done into the latest beta for Android 16. These changes aren't live yet, but they're hidden away in the code, and the team at Android Authority has managed to get them working.

Overall, it's a cleaner, more minimalist look for the lock screen: the handy little at-a-glance widget that Google puts on its Pixel phones, which shows information like upcoming calendar appointments and the current date, gets rearranged.

This widget can be really useful at displaying relevant information without the lock screen needing to be unlocked, so it's important that it's easily readable and accessible. It's not clear yet whether this new layout will be configurable in any way.

Layout changes

Android Authority was able to get the new layout activated (Image credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority)

How the new lock screen looks will depend on what's being displayed. If there are no notifications or widget info snippets (like an upcoming calendar event), the widget's date and time move down under the clock, from its current top left corner position.

If there are info snippets in the widget about events, timers, or anything else, these stay in the top left corner, where they currently are. It makes sense that these details might need a little more prominence in the overall layout.

If there are app notifications on screen, the clock shifts to the top, and the info snippets sit underneath, which is what happens now. However, the date and weather move to the right of the clock, rather than underneath it.

That gives you some more space underneath the clock for incoming notifications – which is helpful, especially if you're getting a lot of them coming in. Android 16 is expected around June time, and we should hear more about it at Google I/O 2025 next month.

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The Stranger Things animated series, currently in the works over at Netflix, officially has a title, and it raises a lot of intriguing questions.

Dubbed Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, the show draws inspiration from the weekend morning fare that a generation of kids enjoyed in their pajamas while wolfing down a bowl of cereal.

“We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling,” franchise creators Matt and Ross Duffer said.

I have to say, the idea that Stranger Things could take its retro vibe one step further by channeling the likes of Transformers and He-Man has me reaching for the Coco Puffs already.

What will Stranger Things: Tales From '85 be about?

The title poses a lot of questions, especially in terms of what the show will actually be about.

Details so far have been few and far between, with the focus still squarely on the OG show’s final season. Netflix plan on releasing more information during their panel at Annecy Film Festival in June, but until then, we’d speculate the Tales From… moniker very much lends itself to an anthology approach a la Star Wars: Tales over on Disney Plus.

The ‘85 part also places the new spin-off close to season three of the main show, which takes place in Summer of 1985, so we could see storylines around Hopper post-capture or even Dustin’s time at Camp Know Where pre-season and his meeting Suzie. There’s also the fact that the Russian villains managed to build an entire scientific facility under the Starcourt Mall and that Brenner was absent, presumed dead, during this time, waiting be explored.

While the Duffers are handing over the showrunner reigns to Glitch Techs creator Eric Robles, they remain onboard as executive producers, and assure fans that the franchise is in safe hands, stating: “We couldn’t be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with – the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can’t wait to share more with you! The adventure continues.”

When can we expect Stranger Things season 5?

(Image credit: Netflix)

As for Stranger Things’ long awaited fifth and final season, details are still thin on the ground.

Fans might have expected a mid-2025 release for what is sure to be one of the best Netflix shows and biggest blockbusters of the year, but with Wednesday confirmed to be returning to one of the best streaming services in August, that seems unlikely.

A leak earlier this year pointed to a late 2025 release, as well as revealing some supposed spoilery plot details, but we won’t go into those here. What we can do, however, is point you to our Stranger Things season 5 guide which gives you the full lowdown on everything we know, including casting news, episode titles and more.

There’s a lot to be excited about for Stranger Things fans, and we haven’t even mentioned the stage show prequel Stranger Things: First Shadow, which you can currently catch on Broadway and in London’s West End. Saying goodbye to Eleven and co. may be a bittersweet prospect, but with the franchise set to continue on, the future looks totally tubular.

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Whether you need a bright flashlight that uses standard AA batteries or one that can be recharged, CNET's outdoor experts have found something for everyone.

In today’s climate-aware world, sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”— it’s a business imperative.

While many companies focus on high-profile environmental initiatives like switching to renewables or offsetting emissions, the biggest opportunities to reduce environmental impact often lie within the operational backbone of an organization.

In fact, one of the most powerful, yet underutilized, tools for making meaningful, long-term progress is lean manufacturing.

Originally developed to improve productivity and eliminate inefficiencies, lean manufacturing also provides a robust framework for businesses striving to become more sustainable. By reducing waste, conserving resources, and encouraging continuous improvement, lean practices support both environmental goals and commercial performance.

As such, companies need to stop thinking about lean manufacturing as simply a strand in a strategy and instead view it as a mindset that should be embedded across the business.

Here’s why lean manufacturing holds the key to building smarter, more sustainable operations.

Efficiency as a path to lower emissions

At its core, lean manufacturing is about identifying and eliminating waste across the entire value stream. Whether it's excess material, inefficient energy use, avoidable downtime, or redundant movement of goods, lean thinking encourages businesses to streamline their processes using only what’s truly needed.

This drive for efficiency aligns naturally with sustainability objectives. Lower resource consumption means a reduced carbon footprint, while fewer defects and less overproduction leads to less waste.

In this way, environmental impact is reduced not as a side effect, but as a direct result of smarter, more thoughtful operations. Lean manufacturing is ultimately about embedding a mindset of efficiency into the full life cycle of a product or service.

Expanding lean thinking across the business

To fully realize the benefits of lean manufacturing, companies must look beyond the production line. Applying lean principles across supply chains, logistics, procurement, and office operations can yield significant environmental gains, particularly when it comes to reducing scope 3 emissions— the indirect emissions generated across a company’s value chain.

A lean approach to procurement, for instance, can mean choosing suppliers who prioritize sustainability, use cleaner transport methods, or offer repairable and recyclable components. Similarly, lean logistics can reduce emissions by optimizing shipping routes or switching to more sustainable modes of transport.

These decisions, when aggregated across a business, can lead to large-scale reductions in environmental impact and lay the groundwork for circular practices to take hold.

So, where does the circular economy come into play then?

Circular economy and green financing

The transition to a circular economy —where products are designed to be reused, repaired, or remanufactured rather than discarded— is deeply compatible with lean thinking. Both approaches focus on resource efficiency and minimizing waste.

Businesses are increasingly finding value in circular strategies, such as offering refurbished or certified pre-owned technology, or designing modular products that can evolve with user needs.

These products are subjected to rigorous quality checks and offer consumers a lower-impact, cost-effective alternative to buying new. However, implementing circular or sustainable practices isn't without its challenges, particularly financial ones. Many companies hesitate to act on their sustainability ambitions due to perceived cost barriers.

This is where green financing can be transformative. It enables businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and infrastructure without upfront capital strain, turning sustainability from a cost center into a strategic growth enabler.

As access to green loans and sustainability-linked investments becomes more widespread, financial constraints will no longer be an excuse for inaction.

Accountability through transparency

As lean and circular practices gain traction, the demand for transparency is also growing— driven by both regulation and consumer expectations.

New sustainability standards, such as the EU’s Green Claims Directive, are pushing companies to substantiate their environmental claims with measurable progress in an effort to reduce greenwashing. As such, full stakeholder visibility is fast becoming a requirement, not a request.

Meanwhile, consumers are becoming more informed and discerning and are asking deeper questions: What’s the environmental payback of this product? How does it align with my values and sustainability goals?

To answer these questions credibly, companies must collect the right data as well as embed sustainability into their culture. This means securing a sustainable position at every level— from leadership to frontline teams to supply chain partners.

When sustainability is understood as a shared responsibility, it’s more likely to be embedded into everyday decision-making, rather than sidelined as a corporate afterthought.

Companies that make these values clear from the outset will be better equipped to meet both stakeholder expectations and future regulatory demands.

Stay lean, stay sustainable

Ultimately, the path to sustainability lies in the everyday operational choices that build momentum over time.

Lean manufacturing is one of the most effective, scalable, and proven approaches businesses can use to reduce waste, lower emissions, and build more resilient supply chains.

Sustainable transformation doesn’t always require companies to reinvent the wheel. More often, it requires them to take a closer look at how they already operate and find ways to do more with less. That’s where lean makes all the difference.

Combined with circular design principles, access to green financing, and a transparent, collaborative culture, lean manufacturing offers a holistic strategy for more and more businesses aiming to future-proof themselves for a better and greener tomorrow.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• FBI report reveals a serious rise in ransomware in 2024
• Ransomware attacks rose 9% in 2024
• Cryptocurrency fraud also claimed more victims than ever

The FBI has released a report outlining just how costly ransomware attacks were in 2024, with attacks once again rising to claim more victims than ever.

Complaints about attacks rose 9% in 2024, and were even more expensive for victims, costing a record $16.6 billion - a 33% increase from 2023. Worryingly, critical infrastructure accounted for almost half of all ransomware complaints received, most likely a reflection of rising geopolitical tensions leading to state-sponsored and politically motivated attacks.

Critical infrastructure is the latest target for cybercriminals, as it provides key services and downtime is both costly and dangerous, meaning firms are often more likely to pay ransomware gangs to unlock their data or systems.

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A staggering amount

The FBI’s report also shows almost 200,000 complaints were received for phishing/spoofing attacks, and a further 85,000 were filed in relation to extortion incidents.

Cyber-enabled fraud accounted for a huge 83% of all losses reported in 2024, representing a serious but well-established shift in tactics to digital crime.

“These rising losses are even more concerning because last year, the FBI took significant actions to make it harder, and more costly, for malicious actors to succeed,” explained B. Chad Yarbrough, the FBI’s operations director for criminal and cyber.

“We dealt a serious blow to LockBit, one of the world’s most active ransomware groups. Since 2022, we have offered up thousands of decryption keys to victims of ransomware, avoiding over $800 million in payments.”

The report also points to a serious rise in cryptocurrency losses, reaching $9.3 billion - up 66% from 2023.

The FBI received almost 150,000 complaints of cryptocurrency scams, most prevalent was fraudulent investment schemes, a theme we have seen in recent years with thousands of fake cryptocurrency sites set up to trap users in fake reward schemes.

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The circular economy is moving from niche concept to everyday reality. More people and businesses are embracing refurbished phones, laptops, and tablets—not just as budget-friendly options, but as conscious environmental choices.

But there's still a common misunderstanding about what actually makes a product ‘circular’. No electronic device, or any product for that matter, is inherently circular on its own, no matter how well-designed or durable. What makes the circular economy work isn't just better products—it's the infrastructure that surrounds them.

Think about it: without trade-in programs, repair networks and efficient resale channels, even the most sustainably designed device would still end up in a drawer or landfill. But these systems allow us to conveniently hand off our used devices, get them refurbished, and connect them with new users to create circularity.

Products can absolutely be made with the circular economy in mind—and we’ll talk about how—but they still rely on the right environment to fulfil that potential.

How circular models work in practice—and the infrastructure required

Several models have emerged as frontrunners when we think of the circular economy in action. Trade-in programs are the most popular—where you hand in your used device for a discount on a new one. These programs recirculate devices, encouraging people to pass on their old tech rather than tossing it. We're also seeing more refurbished tech marketplaces offering their own trade-in options.

Another innovative approach, especially for businesses, is the Device-as-a-Service model—essentially a leasing model where you can rent equipment, use it for a specific period, and then return it for an upgrade or replacement. All of these extend the life of electronic products and start to shift the focus away from ownership to long-term value.

But these circular models don't magically happen. Behind each successful program is a massive reverse logistics operation. Devices need to be collected, inspected, repaired, and matched with new buyers. Most manufacturers weren't originally set up for this kind of circular operation. Their systems were designed for one-way distribution, not for handling products coming back for a second life.

Companies that excel here have built robust systems for grading, refurbishment, inventory management, and resale.

You can only call a product ‘circular’ when there's a reliable logistics system for people to return devices, reassured they’ll make their way back into the market. Without this infrastructure, even the most sustainably designed device remains trapped in the linear economy. In the meantime, manufacturers can encourage circularity by designing their products from the outset to perform better on the secondary market. Here's how they can start.

Qualifying criteria for secondary market products

Not all devices are created equal in the secondary market. The most successful refurbished products stay relevant even years after their initial release. Apple and Samsung devices lead the pack in this regard— iPhones typically remain economically viable for refurbishment for about eight years; Samsung models, closer to five. After that, the focus shifts to recycling materials rather than reuse.

Less expensive devices, even if they still work, often cost more to refurbish than they’re worth. That’s not an issue of quality—it’s just economics. For a device to have a second life, it either needs strong brand appeal or some other kind of long-term value.

Ecosystem loyalty boosts circular potential

The tech world has shown us that people develop strong attachments to their operating systems—whether Android vs. Apple in the UK and US markets or other platforms in other countries. Once consumers invest in an ecosystem with multiple connected devices, they're more likely to stay within that system when upgrading or buying refurbished. For manufacturers and retailers, building this kind of loyalty pays off.

Frictionless experience is non-negotiable

The most successful trade-in programs share one crucial feature: simplicity. Whether online or in-store, they offer a fair price for your old device while purchasing a new one, handling the entire exchange in one smooth transaction. Similarly, purchasing refurbished devices has become simpler, with marketplaces implementing universal quality ratings that build consumer confidence.

Innovation at the right pace

We've reached a bit of a sweet spot in the pace of innovation for electronics. New releases excite early adopters, while refurbished devices are still more than enough for most users.

Product designers should consider this: How timeless is your creation? Will people still want it years from now? Does it have features that people always want? This aspect is essential for a healthy circular economy.

Consistent value over flash sales

You’ll notice that the brands with strong circular offerings don’t run flash sales. That’s because they undermine their circular programs. When you frequently discount new products too often, the incentive to buy refurbished disappears. Brands that maintain consistent pricing tend to see stronger resale values and build more trust. By offering high-quality certified refurbished products at a meaningful discount, brands attract value-conscious consumers who might otherwise choose a lower-end product from a competitor.

Systems will define circular success

To support sustainable tech, we need to stop looking only at individual devices and start focusing on the systems that surround them. Circular products don’t exist in a vacuum—they depend on the infrastructure build for them.

Ultimately, the future of sustainable tech isn’t just about making better devices. It’s about keeping the good ones in use longer—and building the right systems to make that possible.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 24 (game #683).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #684) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SPRINGBOARD
• VACUUM
• SPARK
• SUMMERTIME
• WINTERGREEN
• WITCHCRAFT
• FALLOPIAN
• BUBBLEGUM
• AUTUMN LEAVES
• CINNAMON
• LAUNCHPAD
• INNER
• MENTHOL
• UNFORGETTABLE
• TEST
• CATALYST

NYT Connections today (game #684) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Chewy
• GREEN: A good beginning
• BLUE: Classic tunes
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “cube”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #684) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: GUM FLAVORS 
• GREEN: STARTING POINT 
• BLUE: GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SONGS 
• PURPLE: ___ TUBE 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #684) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #684, are…

• YELLOW: GUM FLAVORS BUBBLEGUM, CINNAMON, MENTHOL, WINTERGREEN
• GREEN: STARTING POINT CATALYST, LAUNCHPAD, SPARK, SPRINGBOARD
• BLUE: GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SONGS AUTUMN LEAVES, SUMMERTIME, UNFORGETTABLE, WITCHCRAFT
• PURPLE: ___ TUBE FALLOPIAN, INNER, TEST, VACUUM

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

I’m kicking myself today, because I could have solved the hardest purple group early if I’d been braver. Instead, I went with all the groups I was more sure of. FALLOPIAN and TEST were the certainties, but INNER and VACUUM less so. Instead I opted for safety.

I am still delighted to be back on a winning run though, after falling to pieces last week.

Meanwhile, over in the yellow group, we had GUM FLAVORS. A few years ago, knowing that WINTERGREEN was one would have been obscure knowledge in the UK, but such has been the globalization of candy that we are all very familiar with America’s exotic gum tastes now.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, April 24, game #683)

• YELLOW: THINGS THAT ARE WHITE BABY POWDER, MILK, POLAR BEAR, SNOW
• GREEN: KINDS OF LETTUCE BUTTER, ICEBERG, LEAF, ROMAINE
• BLUE: "BATMAN" VILLAINS BANE, JOKER, PENGUIN, SCARECROW
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE LITERAL/ IDIOMATIC EARS CORNFIELD, MUSICIANS, PITCHERS, WALLS

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 24 (game #417).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #418) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… It's in the stars

NYT Strands today (game #418) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• CONE
• SCONE
• RENT
• SWEET
• CINEMA
• CAPER

NYT Strands today (game #418) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 14 letters

NYT Strands today (game #418) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 1st column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #418) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #418, are…

• CROSS
• DIPPER
• SWAN
• MAIDEN
• HUNTER
• CENTAUR
• SPANGRAM: CONSTELLATIONS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The NYT keeps on finding new ways to hide the spangram. Today, it was a cunning vertical at the start of the grid. I’d tapped out CONE and SCONE as hint words before I saw it. Not that it was any great surprise that we were searching for CONSTELLATIONS, thanks to the theme giveaway.

CROSS and DIPPER were my first spots – the obvious ones – but the rest I struggled with.

Of the 88 constellations in the sky I could probably name the zodiac signs and that’s about it, let alone the shapes they are also known as.

So, thanks to my Google AI servant, here are the Strands constellations and their official names: CROSS (Cygnus), DIPPER (Ursa Major), SWAN (Cygnus), MAIDEN (Virgo), HUNTER (Orion), and CENTAUR (Centaurus). Every day’s a school day.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, April 24, game #417)

• SANDPAPER
• ROPE
• PUMICE
• BARK
• LOOFAH
• SACKCLOTH
• SPANGRAM: ROUGH STUFF

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, April 24 (game #1186).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1187) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1187) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1187) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1187) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1187) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• W

• M

• H

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1187) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1187, are…

• SHALT
• WRATH
• MAMBO
• HUMPH

A seven-guess finish was denied when I guessed BUMPH instead of HUMPH. Both are quite obscure words, with HUMPH – which describes a sound of doubt or contempt – perfectly encapsulating my thoughts about its appearance in today's puzzle. You could say I'm in a right hump about it.

This small wriggle aside, I managed to get home without too much taxing thought, despite quite an odd set of words.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1187) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1187, are…

• DRYER
• ADAPT
• LEVEL
• NOOSE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO
• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING
• Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLY
• Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSE
• Quordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCH
• Quordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOK
• Quordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABIN
• Quordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICK
• Quordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGAT

NPR has for months been receiving tips about detentions at the Ambassador Bridge in Michigan. An inquiry by Michigan Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib has revealed more that 200 detentions this year at the bridge, including American citizen children.

(Image credit: DOMINIC GWINN/ Middle East Images/AFP via Gett)

• Cybercriminals are increasingly using vulnerable companies to target their partners and peers
• The number of third-party incidents doubled year-on-year, Verizon's new report shows
• The attacks are used to gain access to target organizations

New research has claimed the involvement of third parties in data breaches has doubled, and is now seen in 30% of all cyberattacks.

The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) from Verizon Business, which is based on more than 22,000 security incidents and 12,195 confirmed data breaches, found supply chain and partner ecosystems are being increasingly abused in cyberattacks.

Cybercriminals are using third parties to gain initial access, it was further explained, as 81% of third-party breaches involved the compromise of victim systems.

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It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.

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Targeting open-source repositories

The findings may not be too surprising, as some of the biggest cyberattacks ever recorded came as a result of third-party compromise.

The SolarWinds hack in December 2020 was one of the most significant cyber-espionage attacks in history. Threat actors compromised SolarWinds’ Orion software updates, inserting malicious code (later named "SUNBURST") that was unknowingly distributed to around 18,000 customers.

This allowed the attackers to deploy backdoors into the networks of companies that installed the tainted update.

The breach allegedly went undetected for months, compromising US government agencies (the Departments of Treasury, State, and Homeland Security), major tech firms (Microsoft), and countless private companies.

The attack was blamed on a Russian state-sponsored threat actor called APT29 (AKA Cozy Bear).

To conduct third-party cyberattacks, threat actors will often target open-source code repositories, such as GitHub. They will try to push malicious updates into code packages, or will try to “typosquat” a piece of malware, in hopes that software developers will install the malicious code themselves.

It works, too, as news often breaks of bad code being discovered on GitHub, or people’s accounts being compromised and abused in the distribution of malware. Security researchers often warn that software developers should always verify, and never trust the code, regardless of who the author is.

Via Infosecurity Magazine

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• Third-party data breaches have become a major security concern
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

• American Megatrends International released a fix for MegaRAC Baseboard Management Controller (BMC)
• Different OEMs are now implementing the fix in their products
• ASUS released a patch to address the bug

Asus has patched a security flaw which could have bricked servers.

The flaw is tracked as CVE-2024-54085, and has the maximum severity flaw - 10/10. As the company explained, it affects American Megatrends International’s (AMI) MegaRAC Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), a firmware solution that enables out-of-band, or “lights-out” remote server management.

With BMC, admins can monitor, troubleshoot, and control servers even when they’re turned off.

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​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data.

It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.

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Remote control

“AMI’s SPx contains a vulnerability in the BMC where an Attacker may bypass authentication remotely through the Redfish Host Interface,” it says on the CVE’s NVD page. “A successful exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to a loss of confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability.”

BMC is used by “over a dozen” server hardware vendors, including HPE, Asus, and ASRock.

Security researchers from Eclypsium, who wrote an in-depth report about the bug, said it could be abused in malware infections and even ransomware attacks:

"Exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely control the compromised server, remotely deploy malware, ransomware, firmware tampering, bricking motherboard components (BMC or potentially BIOS/UEFI), potential server physical damage (over-voltage / bricking), and indefinite reboot loops that a victim cannot stop."

AMI released a patch in mid-March, it was said, but it took OEMs time to implement it. HPE, for example, published a security bulletin on March 20, addressing the vulnerability for HPE Cray XD670 server. This bulletin also confirmed that the vulnerability could be remotely exploited to allow authentication bypass. ​Additionally, reports indicate that HPE has released security updates for their products that integrate AMI’s fix for CVE-2024-54085. ​

ASUS has now addressed the bug on four motherboards.

Users are advised to upgrade their BMC firmware to these versions:

PRO WS W790E-SAGE SE – version 1.1.57
PRO WS W680M-ACE SE – version 1.1.21
PRO WS WRX90E-SAGE SE – version 2.1.28
Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WIFI – version 1.34.0

Since this is a maximum-severity flaw that allows ransomware infections, users are advised to apply the update without delay.

Via BleepingComputer

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• This large-scale hack could affect millions of servers across the world
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

Immigration attorneys are advising clients who have deportation orders when they show up at court dates and immigration appointments, there is an increased risk of getting detained.

(Image credit: Courtesy of)

A meal kit expert, a wellness editor and a cooking newbie tried Blue Apron meal kits for a week. Here's what we thought.

It's time to input a new date into the TARDIS, Doctor Who fans, because this season's third episode will be with us very soon.

Season 2 episode 3, titled' The Well', is set to grace our screens very soon. Those of you in the US, UK, and Australia, then, will want to know when the world-famous Time Lord and his new companion Bel will set off on their next adventure.

Below, I'll tell you when and where you can watch Doctor Who season 2's third entry. You'll also find a full release schedule for this season's seven episodes, so you'll know when to tune into Disney+ (US and Australia) or BBC One/iPlayer (UK) to reunite with them. Allons-y!

What time will Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 be released in the US?

Your first look at #DoctorWho - THE WELL, premiering next Saturday on @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available! pic.twitter.com/JMm7cRSkY4April 19, 2025

One of the best Disney+ shows will be back on the small screen stateside on Saturday, April 26 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

That's the same day and time that the previous two episodes – 'The Robot Revolution' and 'Lux' – have aired on one of the world's best streaming services. There's no reason for season 2's next episode not to do so, too.

When can I watch Doctor Who season 2's third episode in the UK?

Another perilous adventure awaits The Doctor and Bel (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+)

Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 8am BST on Saturday, April 26. Like every other episode – this season or otherwise – it'll also be broadcast on BBC One later that day.

However, it'll make its terrestrial channel debut on British shores at a later time than 'The Robot Revolution' and 'Lux' did. Indeed, 'The Well' will be available to watch on BBC One at 7:20pm BST.

What is the launch date and time for Doctor Who episode 'The Well' in Australia?

What's got Bel so spooked? (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+)

Fans of the legendary Gallifreyan who live Down Under can tune into Disney+ on Saturday, April 26 at 5pm AEST to watch this season's latest installment. Like the US, this is the same day and time that season 2's previous entries have aired.

Doctor Who season 2 full release schedule

Christopher Chung's Cassio is one of many supporting characters in 'The Well' (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+)

New episodes of Nu-Who will be released every Saturday in the US, UK and Australia. For a complete rundown on when new chapters of season 2 (or series 15, for those in the UK) will arrive, read on:

• Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 – out now
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 2 – out now
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 – Saturday, April 26
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 – Saturday, May 3
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 – Saturday, May 10
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 6 – Saturday, May 17
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 7 – Saturday, May 24
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 8 – Saturday, May 31