Technology

• Netflix has released a new trailer for Wednesday season 2
• The teaser arrives one month ahead of the hugely popular show's return
• Wednesday's sophomore season will be released in two parts

Netflix has released the official trailer for the highly-anticipated second season of Wednesday that sees the titular character in a race against the clock to save the life of her school bestie.

As the eponymous character and fans alike prepare for their sophomore year at Nevermore Academy, the streaming titan has debuted plenty of new footage via a new teaser. Check it out below:

Until now, we only knew that Jenna Ortega's protagonist would not only return to Nevermore, but also need to solve another hair-raising supernatural mystery. As the above teaser confirms, it'll center around Emma Myers' Enid Sinclair, whose life is in grave danger unless Wednesday can use her psychic abilities and detective skills to stop Enid from being murdered by something or someone.

After her exploits in season 1, Wednesday has also acquired an unwanted hero status and small group of fanatical followers. If she thought some of her fellow students were annoying last term, Wednesday's seen nothing yet.

Wednesday season 2's latest trailer arrives exactly one month before it debuts on the world's best streaming service.

Like many of Netflix's most-watched TV Originals, it'll launch in two parts. Volume 1, which comprises four episodes, releases on August 6, while the final four chapters, aka season 2 part 2, will air on September 3. Funnily enough, both dates fall on a Wednesday. It's almost as if Netflix planned this...

Enid's going to survive... right? (Image credit: Netflix)

This isn't the only footage Netflix has treated us to recently. In April, it unveiled the first trailer for Wednesday season 2. Then, at Tudum 2025 in late May, Netflix released the first six minutes of the series' second season, which showed the eponymous hero using her prescient powers to turn the tables on a serial killer in typically deadpan fashion.

We've also learned plenty more about one of the best Netflix shows' next installment in non-video form.

In mid-May, Netflix lifted the lid on some of the new and returning faces we'll see in Wednesday 2, the former of whom includes Joanna Lumley's turn as Grandmama and Steve Buscemi's new Nevermore principal. Those reveals came over a year after Netflix announced a Westworld alumnus would appear in Wednesday season 2 and the addition of Doctor Who, Star Wars, and Addams Family movie actors to season 2's cast.

A couple of weeks later, a sneak peek video also confirmed we'll be getting tons more Addams family lore next season. Considering we'll be seeing more of Wednesday's immediate family, such as Catherine Zeta-Jones' Morticia and Isaac Ordonez's Pugsley this time around, that's to be expected.

For even more details on the show ahead of its return, read our ultimate guide to Wednesday season 2.

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Foundation season 3 is almost here. The critically-acclaimed Apple TV Original's latest installment will arrive in less than 48 hours, so you'll want to know exactly when you can stream it.

Below, I'll tell you when its first episode will be available to watch on Apple TV+. You'll also find a full release schedule for Foundation's third season at the end of this article, so you can make block out some time in your busy schedule to view them as soon as they air.

What time can I stream Foundation season 3's first episode on Apple TV+?

Gaal Dornick will return in Foundation's third season (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Foundation season 3 will premiere on one of the best streaming services on Friday, July 11. It should do so globally, too. I say "should" because, like other entries in our best Apple TV+ shows guide, it could arrive earlier in some nations, such as the US.

Occasionally, new episodes of Apple TV Originals actually launch late on Thursdays in certain time zones. Viewers in some North and South America regions, then, may get to see them early.

So, what time will season 3 episode 1 come out? Apple doesn't usually release information about episodic launch times. However, based on when other TV Originals, including Severance, have landed on Apple TV+, here's when we expect Foundation season 3's first episode to be released (NB: if your country isn't listed below, use 12am ET to work out when you can stream it):

• US – Thursday, July 10 at 9pm PT / Friday, July 11 at 12am ET
• Canada – Thursday, July 10 at 9pm PT / Friday, July 11 at 12am ET
• UK – Friday, July 11 at 5am BST
• India – Friday, July 11 at 9:30am IST
• Singapore – Friday, July 11 at 12pm SGT
• Australia – Friday, July 11 at 2pm AEST
• New Zealand – Friday, July 11 at 4pm NZST

Foundation season 3 full episode release schedule

Jared Harris is also reprising his roles as Hari Seldon and Doctor Seldon in Foundation season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

New episodes of Foundation season 3 will land on Apple TV+ every Friday. Read on for a full breakdown on when to expect new chapters:

• Foundation season 3 episode 1 – Friday, July 11
• Foundation season 3 episode 2 – Friday, July 18
• Foundation season 3 episode 3 – Friday, July 25
• Foundation season 3 episode 4 – Friday, August 1
• Foundation season 3 episode 5 – Friday, August 8
• Foundation season 3 episode 6 – Friday, August 15
• Foundation season 3 episode 7 – Friday, August 22
• Foundation season 3 episode 8 – Friday, August 29
• Foundation season 3 episode 9 – Friday, September 5
• Foundation season 3 episode 10 – Friday, September 12

For more Foundation coverage, read my Foundation season 3 review or check out the below section for more from my exclusive chats with its cast ahead of this season's debut.

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• Germany is calling on Apple and Google to block the DeepSeek app from the country's official app stores
• The Berlin Data Protection Commissioner has deemed the Chinese AI chatbot "unlawful" over alleged privacy violations
• Italy banned DeepSeek from official app stores in January over similar concerns

DeepSeek could soon disappear from Apple and Google's official app stores in Germany as data protection officials accuse the Chinese chatbot of alleged privacy violations.

"DeepSeek's transfer of user data to China is unlawful," said Berlin Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp, in an official announcement dated June 27, 2025. Kamp has called on the Big Tech giant to consider blocking the app in the country.

Another EU member, Italy, already banned Deepseek from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in January 2025 over similar grounds. The block was enforced about a week after the release of the ChatGPT rival.

Does DeepSeek violate GDPR rules?

(Image credit: Pixabay)

According to German authorities, the company behind DeepSeek AI (Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd) violates Art. 46 (1) of the GDPR, which rules the need for "appropriate safeguards" when transferring EU citizens' personal data to a third country.

According to Kamp, DeepSeek failed to convince German officials that users' data is protected when these details are transferred to China, as expected by EU laws.

"Chinese authorities have far-reaching rights of access to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies. Furthermore, DeepSeek users in China do not have the enforceable rights and effective legal remedies guaranteed in the European Union," Kamp added.

These concerns echoed similar GDPR complaints issued after examining the platform's privacy policy and finding "multiple violations" of European rules.

Did you know?

(Image credit: Adobe Stock)

The US is currently pushing for a new bill, known as the 'No Adversarial AI Act,' to ban all AI models built in China, Iran, Russia, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from being used in government agencies – DeepSeek included.

It's worth noting that DeepSeek updated its privacy policy on July 4, 2025, and now states that the company does not engage in 'profiling,' which was among the issues raised by EU privacy watchdogs. That said, other concerns previously raised, such as non-transparent information on data retention periods, may remain.

On May 6, 2025, German data protection officials asked the Chinese firm to "independently remove its apps from the German app stores, cease the illegal data transfer to China, or fulfill the legal requirements for lawful third-country transfers," the announcement reads. A request that, said German officials, Deepseek failed to comply with.

Kamp has then decided to exercise Germany's right under Art. 16 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to report what he believes to be "illegal content" to app stores' operators.

She said: "I have therefore informed Google and Apple, as operators of the largest app platforms, of the violations and expect a timely consideration of a blocking."

While Italy was the first to launch an investigation into DeepSeek's data privacy and security practices on January 28, 2025, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Portugal are also investigating DeepSeek's policies over potential GDPR violations.

Can you use a VPN if DeepSeek gets blocked?

It's still early to say whether the popular Chinese AI chatbot will leave the German market for good.

What we do know, though, is that DeepSeek is increasingly under fire worldwide, meaning that some of its nearly 97 million active users may need to find an alternative way to download, update, and use the app.

Using the best VPN services is generally an easy way to bypass online geo-restrictions, thanks to their IP-spoofing capabilities that let you look like you're browsing from a completely different country in no time.

That said, like with the short-lived US TikTok ban, a VPN isn't a one-click solution if DeepSeek gets banned on official app stores.

That's mainly because using a VPN doesn't spoof your location linked to your app stores. This means that you'll need to "find another way of downloading the app other than the Apple App or Google Play stores," Eamonn Maguire, Head of Account Security at Proton – the provider behind Proton VPN – told me back in January.

However, experts suggest doing this with caution as potential privacy concerns may remain.

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• 33-year-old man was accused of spying for the Chinese government
• FBI alleges he is part of the Silk Typhoon hacking collective
• If convicted, he might be looking at decades in jail

Italian law enforcement has arrested a 33-year-old Chinese national for allegedly spying on the United States.

Landing at Milan’s Malpensa airport on a flight from China, Zewei Xu was apprehended by local police, and according to Italian news agency ANSA, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly participating in cyber-espionage operations for China, targeting data surrounding anti-COVID vaccines that were being produced at the University of Texas back in 2020.

Citing “interior ministry documents”, ANSA said Xu is accused of being part of Hafnium, an infamous state-sponsored threat actor also known as Silk Typhoon. With this group, Xu allegedly “targeted thousands of computers around the world” to get information on “various US government policies.”

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Typhoons against critical infrastructure

There will be a hearing early next week, at Milan’s Court of Appeals, to determine whether or not Xu will be extradited to the United States.

While his family claims he is an IT manager at Shanghai GTA Semi Conductor, where he develops IT systems and network infrastructure, American authorities accuse Xu of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, Xu is looking at a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, as well as an additional five years for unauthorized access to protected computers.

Silk Typhoon is one of many “typhoon” groups (Flax Typhoon, Silk Typhoon, and others), all of which are apparently state-sponsored and engaged in various forms of cybercriminal activity.

Critical infrastructure firms, government organizations, telecommunications companies, and similar, are the typhoons’ most common targets.

In mid-April 2025, amid a serious escalation of hostilities between the US and China, senior Chinese officials apparently acknowledged behind closed doors that Beijing was involved in a series of cyberattacks on US critical infrastructure, conducted by Volt Typhoon.

This group was infiltrating US critical infrastructure systems for years, including compromising energy, communications, transportation, and water industries.

Via BleepingComputer

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• A new leak suggests the Sony WF-1000XM6 are arriving soon
• There might be a slight tweak in terms of the dimensions
• It's been two years since the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds launched

We've recently seen the flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones launched, but what of the wireless earbud equivalents? Well, a new leak suggests the Sony WF-1000XM6 aren't far away from being made official either.

As per The Walkman Blog (via Notebookcheck), import documentation has surfaced that mentions the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds by name – describing them, somewhat strangely, as "headphones without a frame".

We don't get too much in the way of detail here, but there is a reference to the charging case in the documentation, and we get the dimensions of the earbuds: it looks as though the new pair will be a little smaller overall than the Sony WF-1000XM5.

The dimensions listed in the leak are 84mm x 70mm x 55mm for the Sony WF-1000XM6, which compare to 99mm x 66.4mm x 53mm for the Sony WF-1000XM5, but we don't get any hints of a redesign here.

Will the price be right?

Sony just launched the WH-1000XM6 headphones (Image credit: Future)

Our list of what we want to see from the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds mentions better noise cancellation, improved connectivity, better battery life, an upgraded IP rating, more color options, and (of course) a cheaper price.

Head to our Sony WF-1000XM5 review and you'll see those earbuds launched at a starting price of $299.99 / £259 / AU$499. That was back in July 2023 though, and the tech industry and the world in general has changed quite substantially since then.

It doesn't look as though another July launch is likely for 2025, but based on the manufacturing stages mentioned in these import filings, the earbuds should break cover in the coming months – so most probably before the end of the year.

Whenever the Sony WF-1000XM6 make an appearance, they're going to face stiff competition in what is one of the most crowded categories in tech. We're still waiting for the AirPods Pro 3, for example, but they may not show up until next year.

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• Apple has just released the iOS 26 developer beta 3 update
• This adjusts the Liquid Glass design to make it less transparent
• It’s not the first time Apple has tweaked Liquid Glass in iOS 26

When Apple unveiled iOS 26 at its WWDC 2025 event in June, the thing on everyone’s lips was the Liquid Glass redesign. This has brought glassy effects to Apple’s operating systems and has divided opinion in a big way, but the latest iOS 26 beta looks to have dialed it back significantly – and I’m glad to see it.

Compared to previous betas, iOS 26 beta 3 has added a little more opacity to interface elements, reducing their transparency in the process. Toolbars and buttons are now a bit more solid, making it harder to see what lies beneath them.

That addresses one of the key criticisms of Liquid Glass so far: that it’s too difficult to read top-level elements when text or images are visible beneath them. By adding more opacity, Apple has gone some way to putting that right.

This is not the first time Apple has tweaked Liquid Glass. In iOS 26 beta 2, the company reduced the translucency of buttons and boxes in the Control Center, which were especially difficult to read in previous releases. There will no doubt be further adjustments before iOS 26 launches fully in the fall.

A little more legibleImage 1 of 2

Liquid Glass in the Apple Music app. The updated version in iOS 26 beta 3 is on the right. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Liquid Glass in the Apple Books app. The updated version in iOS 26 beta 3 is on the right. (Image credit: Future)

I’m a fan of Liquid Glass, but I prefer it in macOS Tahoe than in iOS 26, simply because the larger screens you get on a Mac versus an iPhone mean there are fewer overlapping elements, That enables macOS to avoid some of the worst legibility issues that plague iOS 26.

Despite iOS 26 beta 3 making things a little more readable, not everyone is a fan of the change. For example, writing on X, Apple pundit Sam Kohl wrote that “iOS 26 beta 3 completely nerfs Liquid Glass,” adding that “it looks so much cheaper now and feels like Apple is backtracking on their original vision.”

With plenty of time until the full release of iOS 26, we can expect Apple to make more changes as the year progresses. Hopefully, that will give it time to get Liquid Glass right – or at least make it a little more legible.

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• Apple is rumored to be working on an AI-powered update for the Apple Support app
• Code hints at a 'Support Assistant' that will help users troubleshoot Apple products
• I used to work at the Genius Bar and think this idea could be excellent if done correctly

Apple could be about to add an AI assistant to the Apple Support app, and that would be excellent news for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users around the world.

First spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, new code hints at an AI-powered 'Support Assistant' coming to the Apple Support app.

According to Perris, "The code states that the Support Assistant 'uses generative models,' and that it will provide answers 'related to certain Apple products and services' Apple warns that generative models can sometimes provide 'incorrect, misleading, incomplete, offensive, or harmful outputs,' and that customers should not rely on information from Support Assistant as a substitute for professional advice."

At the moment, the Apple Support app lets you talk to a real-life Genius Bar member about issues with your products, and allows you to receive troubleshooting support without the need of heading to your local Apple Store.

While there are no details on when this AI-powered assistant will launch, this could be a huge improvement in the way we access Apple Support, and as an ex-Apple Genius Bar employee, I'm going to explain why.

AI for the better

I worked at Apple's Genius Bar for nearly four years while studying journalism at university, so I've had many encounters with Apple Support behind the scenes and as a customer.

The Apple Support app is excellent, and is one of the main reasons I recommend Apple products to my family members who are looking to buy new tech. I truly believe the Genius Bar is one of Apple's best products, and AI is only going to make it better.

I can't count the number of times customers would travel long distances to come to the Apple Store, only for the issue they were experiencing to be an incredibly simple fix.

With an AI-powered assistant, Apple users could get pointed in the right direction every single time rather than relying on the customer to select the correct service path.

The Apple Support app already asks a few questions to make sure the customer gets the right support, whether that be online, at the store, or via support articles. However, adding AI chatbot capabilities would hopefully improve that experience even more, alleviating pressure on Genius Bar employees and improving the customer experience.

Adding AI chatbots to customer service might sound infuriating, but as long as Apple uses generative AI as a way to improve the customer experience, then I think this rumored feature would be genius.

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• IBM Power11 servers promise 99.9999% uptime, and no planned downtime
• Quantum-safe cryptography prepares against future attacks
• Performance and efficiency are up across the board

IBM has unveiled its new Power11 servers – next-generation hardware designed to support artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud and automation applications with boosted performance and enhanced security.

The company says the Power11 servers now have an ultra-high uptime rate of 99.9999%, noting that autonomous patching, live updates and rolling upgrades ensure zero planned downtime throughout their lifecycles.

Power11 servers are also futureproofed against evolving cyberattacks with built-in quantum-safe cryptography and less than one-minute guaranteed ransomware threat detection.

IBM Power11 servers

Speaking about the "mission-critical, data-intensive workloads" that IBM Power servers support across banking, healthcare, retail and government, the company revealed high-end, mid-range and entry-level servers to cater to a variety of workloads, all available from launch.

"Power11 will also be the first IBM Power server to support the IBM Spyre Accelerator, IBM's system-on-a-chip available Q4 2025 that is purpose-built for today's AI-intensive inference workloads," the company added.

Besides futureproofing against emerging technologies, Power11 servers also represent a huge leap forward from previous generations, including 55% better core performance than Power9, up to 45% more capacity in entry/mid-range models compared with Power10 and 2x performance per watt compared with comparable x86 servers.

IBM also noted Energy Efficient Mode could improve server efficiency further, by up to 28%, when peak performance isn't required.

"We are taking advantage of the full IBM stack to deliver hybrid cloud, AI, and automation capabilities while building on our decades-long reputation as a trustworthy hybrid infrastructure for essential workloads," Tom McPherson, General Manager for Power Systems at IBM, explained.

Although Power11 servers are set for general availability later this month (July 25, 2025), the IBM Spyre Accelerator won't be added until a later date likely in the final three months of 2025.

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• Gmail will now display how many times you've had emails from subscriptions
• The tool supports one-click unsubscriptions and sender blocking
• Google is also using AI to reduce scams

Gmail is rolling out a new 'Manage subscriptions' feature for mobile and web users to address all the old subscription emails they've gathered over the years in a bid to help declutter email inboxes at last.

The new tool will allow users to view and unsubscribe from all active email subscriptions in one place, from the navigation drawer of the app or website.

Initially tested earlier in 2025, the feature is now being widely rolled out across Android, iOS and web experiences, with full availability coming in the next two weeks or so.

Gmail wants to make it easier for you to unsubscribe from junk mail

Besides listing all active subscriptions from the likes of newspapers, subscriptions and shops, the popular email provider will also help you identify which subscriptions to cut by showing the number of emails you've received from each sender in recent weeks.

Senders who support one-click unsubscribe will be the easiest to get rid of, but Google has thought about ones that don't by building a sender blocking tool into the feature, too.

Separate research from EmailTooltester suggests that the average email user now receives more than 80 messages per day, nearly half of which (49%) are spam – the equivalent of 162 billion spam emails sent globally every day.

Although Google claims that AI-based filters have helped reduce scam emails by 35%, that only addresses malicious emails. With many users now counting two or more decades of online life behind them, the number of inadvertent mailing lists plaguing Gmail inboxes is at an all-time high, with many stemming from before enhanced consumer protections like newsletter opt-in came in.

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• Photos of a Pixel 10 prototype have appeared on a Chinese auction site
• They show the addition of a third rear camera and what looks to be a temperature sensor
• Previous leaks mention this camera, but this is the first we've seen of a temperature sensor

The Google Pixel 10 series has leaked quite a lot at this point, but so far, actual images of these phones have been few and far between. Now, though, some newly leaked photos have given us our best look yet at what the base model might look like.

Spotted by 9to5Google, these images were posted on Goofish (a Chinese auction site) as part of a listing for a Pixel 10 prototype motherboard – so, despite the whole phone being pictured, only the motherboard is actually for sale.

It’s an all-round strange listing, which – going by the auto-translated text – includes an extended rant about scammers, but the actual images look quite credible.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Goofish)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Goofish)

You can see what’s apparently a Google Pixel 10 prototype from both the front and back, and it looks very similar to an earlier Pixel 10 Pro prototype leak.

You can see that there are three camera lenses on the back, which is one more than you get with the Google Pixel 9. But that’s in line with earlier leaks, which suggest the Pixel 10 will have a 5x telephoto camera along with its wide and ultra-wide snappers.

Interestingly, there’s also some sort of sensor under the flash, which is likely a temperature sensor, as that’s where this is housed on the Pixel 9 Pro, but it’s not something you get on the standard Pixel 9.

Could be a Pixel 10 Pro

Otherwise, this prototype looks very similar to the Pixel 9, with the same camera bar design, the same overall shape, and a punch-hole camera in the screen.

That said, it looks even more like a Pixel 9 Pro, so we can’t rule out the possibility that this is actually a mislabeled Google Pixel 10 Pro prototype.

We should find out for sure whether this is how the Google Pixel 10 looks soon, though, as the whole Pixel 10 series – including the base model, the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold – will reportedly launch on August 20.

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• Being blamed or getting into trouble are workers' biggest worries when reporting cyberattacks
• UK workers understand and can identify cyberattacks pretty well
• This comes as cyberattacks become worryingly common

New data has claimed two in five (39%) office workers wouldn't even tell their company's cybersecurity teams if they thought they had been the victim of a cyberattack at work.

The findings from Cohesity come despite generally better understanding compared with other European nations – 43% of UK workers understand ransomware, compared with 28% in France and 30% in Germany.

As many as four in five (79%) British employees would go as far as saying they feel confident in identifying a cyberattack, yet many choose to stay silent.

Workers feel embarrassed about cyberattacks

Cohesity says workers are most embarrassed about being blamed (17%) or getting into trouble (17%), leading them to stay quiet in the event of attacks. A further 15% stated they wouldn't want to cause a fuss, with 11% admitting they'd rather attempt to fix the issue themselves rather than notify IT.

However, separate research from IBM reveals breaches lasting longer than 200 days cost around 34% more than those contained earlier (via Morgan Lewis). Moreover, silence delays incident response and increases vulnerability to threats like ransomware, malware spread and further phishing attempts.

Government data from 2024 reveals that half of all UK businesses and one-third of UK charities had experienced cyberattacks or breaches within the preceding year – a number that's even more pertinent among medium (70%) and larger (74%) businesses, and one that's likely to be even higher this year.

Cohesity GVP Olivier Savornin stressed: "Staying silent if they suspect a malicious cyberattack is quite possibly the worst thing an employee could do."

Savornin calls for a workplace culture that makers workers feel more comfortable about raising the alarm, backed by proper cybersecurity training.

Cohesity Global Head of Cyber Resiliency James Blake noted that companies should take a holistic approach to "planning, processes, people and technology."

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• M&S chairman Archie Norman attributes recent ransomware attack to DragonForce
• Law enforcement is still involved, and we don't know any ransom details
• Norman is calling for greater transparency and cyberattack reporting

M&S is still refusing to confirm whether it paid a ransom following a recent major cyberattack, but at least we have an indication of its cause.

It's believed the attack was carried out by DragonForce, a ransomware operation believed to be based in Asia or Russia – a separate group from hacktivists at the similarly-named DragonForce Malaysia.

M&S chairman Archie Norman explained disclosing details of any ransom would not be in the public interest, given that law enforcement agencies are still involved with the case.

M&S shares more information on attack

"We’ve said that we are not discussing any of the details of our interaction with the threat actor," Norman, speaking at a UK Parliament heading on cyberattacks in the retail sector, stressed.

We now know the initial breach occurred via social engineering, with the attacker impersonating an M&S worker and tricking a third party into resetting an employee's password.

The Financial Times revealed just weeks after the cyberattack that Tata Consultancy Services, a third party that M&S uses to help manage help desk support could have been inadvertently tied up in the breach.

Attackers threatened to leak the acquired data, but they also encrypted it from M&S in what's known as a double extortion attack. In May, M&S confirmed that names, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, household information and order histories were all included.

150GB of data was reportedly stolen before M&S shut down systems to prevent further spread, leading to delivery disruptions. Recovery efforts are still ongoing, with Norman expecting full recovery by October or November 2025.

DragonForce has not posted M&S data, possibly implying that a ransom could have been paid or that negotiations are ongoing.

Looking ahead, Norman is calling for more transparency around reporting cyberattacks: "We have reason to believe there've been two major cyberattacks on large British companies in the last four months which have gone unreported," he said.

Via Reuters

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• UK Government and Google Cloud sign new partnership
• Google Cloud looks to help modernize aging UK Government tech stack
• 100,000 civil servants set to receive more training on AI and other tech

Google Cloud has announced a major partnership with the UK Government which will help the country rid itself of aging technology systems.

Announced at the company's Google Cloud Summit London, the agreement will look to help the UK Government update a host of legacy tech, some of which is decades old, to unlock up to $45 billion in efficiency savings.

The partnership will look to modernize commonly-used services from the NHS, along with local council tools, covering everything from bin collection to tax returns.

So long "ball and chain"

Speaking at the Summit, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle noted the deal will look to provide a major upgrade across public sector services in the UK, where more than one in four systems are estimated to run on legacy tech. This jumps to as high as 70% in some police forces and NHS trusts, sometimes on contracts signed decades ago.

He noted how in some areas, the technology being used is decades-old, leaving these organizations at risk of cyberattack or outages, and meaning workers lack the efficiency and productivity gains offered by newer tech.

Google Cloud hopes its assistance will help Government bodies ditch these "ball and chain" tech contracts, where providers have often made it too difficult to transfer data to modern systems, with some companies hiking the prices while the taxpayer is locked into contracts.

"With more hands-on support, I can't wait to see what our two teams deliver together," Kyle added.

Looking forward, Google Cloud will also help the UK Government explore the usage of technology such as quantum computing within the public sector, as well as investigating the development of a single platform to monitor and keep the public sector safe from the latest cybersecurity threats.

“Google Cloud is proud to be a strategic partner of the UK Government as they embark on this ambitious digital transformation," noted Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA.

"As the country evolves, the flexibility of Google Cloud will help the government lead the AI era."

Google Cloud will also be helping to boost workers within the UK Government, with a new training programme seeing 100,000 civil servants get extra help with AI and other new technology by 2030.

Elsewhere, Google Cloud is running a 12 week equity-free accelerator program for Seed to Series AI startups based in the UK, in partnership with Tech London Advocates.

This follows benefits announced earlier this year as part of the “Gemini for UK” initiative, with Google Cloud providing up to £280,000 in cloud credits for eligible UK-based AI startups.

The company sys that since 2023, over 60% of genAI UK startups are Google Cloud customers, and it is looking to help some of these firms even further, securing spaces for four top UK AI startups on the Europe-wide Google for Startups accelerator, who will be joining 15 top AI startups across Europe to get Google expertise to accelerate growth.

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With remote work here to stay, cloud tools becoming everyday essentials, and cyber threats constantly evolving, companies are rethinking how they keep their systems and data safe. It’s not just about locking the doors anymore, it's about making sure the right people get access to the right things, without leaving the whole network exposed.

Two of the most talked-about options? Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP). Both are designed to keep remote access safe, but they go about it in very different ways.

So, is SDP the better choice? Well, it’s not as easy as saying one is better than the other. It really depends on what your organization looks like. How big is your team? How complicated are your systems? And, what kind of security challenges are you facing? There’s no magic, one-size-fits-all answer but once you understand how VPNs and SDP work differently, it gets a whole lot easier to figure out what’s right for you.

VPNs vs. SDP – What’s the Difference?

Historically, the traditional approach has been VPN, which works by creating an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and the network, essentially opening the door to the entire network once connected. It’s a simple, familiar setup - especially for IT teams. Which is, by the way, why VPNs are still a go-to for many small and mid-sized businesses.

The modern approach is SDP, which takes a different route. It’s built on the idea of Zero Trust, meaning it doesn’t automatically trust anyone. Instead, users have to prove who they are before getting in. And even then, they’re only allowed to access specific apps or services, not the whole network. This “only what you need” model reduces the risk of cyberattacks and gives businesses tighter control over access.

Key Advantages of SDP

1. Granular Access Control - Unlike traditional VPNs, which often grant broad access to a network, SDP limits users to just the resources they need. This minimizes risk and enforces stronger access policies.

2. Enhanced Security with Zero Trust - Modern SDP follows a "verify first, connect later" model. Every user and device must be authenticated before gaining access which is ideal for organizations focused on strengthening cybersecurity postures.

3. Scalability - SDP is built to handle a crowd. Whether you’ve got a few hundred users or a few thousand logging in at once, it keeps things running smoothly without slowing down. That makes it a great fit for bigger companies; or any organization that’s growing fast and needs remote access to keep up.

4. No Physical Hardware Required - No bulky hardware needed. SDP runs on software and plays nicely with the cloud. That means no racks of equipment to manage, no big upfront hardware investments, and a lot less hassle for IT teams. It’s a lighter, more flexible way to stay secure without being tied down to on-prem gear.

5. Reduced Latency - The best SDP solutions keep things snappy by cutting out the middleman. Instead of sending users through a central gateway, it connects them straight to the apps they need. That means faster performance, fewer slowdowns, and a smoother experience overall, especially when teams are spread out across different locations.

Considerations and Challenges

While SDP offers significant benefits, nothing’s perfect:

1. Learning Curve - Switching to SDP can take some getting used to, especially for teams who’ve been relying on traditional VPNs for years. It asks a bit more in terms of understanding how your network is built and how to fine-tune security policies. It’s not rocket science, but there is a bit of a learning curve at the start.

2. Upfront Cost - For smaller setups, SDP might come with a bigger price tag up front or require licensing that feels steeper than the off-the-shelf VPNs everyone’s used to. But many find that the long-term benefits are worth the early investment.

3. Interoperability - If you’re running older systems or legacy apps, getting SDP to play nicely with everything might take some extra effort. A little configuration and testing may be needed to make sure everything clicks.

When to Choose SDP Over VPNs, and Why

1. Cloud-first environments

If your team relies on cloud-native or SaaS apps, SDP’s app-focused security model is a natural fit. It lets users securely connect to just the specific cloud resources they need, without opening up your whole network to potential risks. This kind of targeted access works especially well in today’s fast-moving, spread-out cloud environments where flexibility and control are key.

2. IoT security

SDP allows highly specific, secure connections to IoT devices that typically require limited access. Rather than placing these often-vulnerable devices on the broader network, SDP ensures that only authorized users and systems can connect, reducing potential attack vectors.

3. High-security industries

Sectors like finance, government, and healthcare operate under strict regulatory and security requirements. SDP’s Zero Trust model—which authenticates and authorizes users before access is granted—offers the fine-grained control and robust protection needed to meet compliance and data security standards.

4. Large, distributed teams

SDP is built to grow with you. Whether you’ve got a handful of remote workers or thousands of employees logging in from around the world, it keeps things running smoothly. No slowdowns, no traffic jams, just fast, secure access to what your team needs, without the bottlenecks that can bog down traditional VPNs.

When VPNs Might Still Be the Right Fit

1. Small teams and simple needs - VPNs are easier to deploy and manage for straightforward use cases.

2. Familiar infrastructure - Many organizations already have VPNs baked into their firewall software or endpoint tools. For some, sticking with what’s familiar, and integrated, makes sense.

3. Budget Is the primary concern - VPNs remain a cost-effective option, especially where advanced access controls or Zero Trust frameworks aren’t priorities (yet).

Parting Thoughts

SDP isn’t necessarily better than VPNs, it’s just different and more modern, so to speak. For organizations seeking stronger security, granular access controls, and future-ready infrastructure, SDP offers clear advantages. But for others, especially those with smaller footprints or simpler requirements, VPNs may still do the job just fine.

Ultimately, the best solution depends on your organization’s size, security needs, infrastructure, and how much control and visibility you require over your network.

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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

• Foundation season 3 will feature a Cleonic trio who are more familial than past groups
• This season's iterations of Dawn, Day, and Dusk respect and love each other
• The triumvirate will still fall out over what to do amid the Empire's diminishing influence on the galaxy

Foundation season 3 will show you a side of the Empire's three rulers that you haven't seen before.

That's the verdict of Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrance Mann, who portray the aforementioned trio, i.e. Brother Day, Brother Dawn, and Brother Dusk, in Apple's space opera.

In Foundation's first two seasons, the three characters, who are all clones of the Imperium's first autocrat Cleon I, never saw eye-to-eye. Indeed, despite the fact they jointly lauded it over vast swathes of the galaxy, each clone was as self-serving as their fellow rulers were.

The Apple TV+ show's third installment, though, will depict a wildly different perspective on the weird granddad-father-son yet brotherly dynamic (hey, I did say it was weird!) that exists between this season's Cleonic trio. With each clone's genetic makeup becoming more unique with every generation that passes – read more about that in my Foundation season 1 episode 9 recap – there's a tenderness to their familial bond that wasn't there in prior seasons.

Dawn (left), Day (center), and Dusk (right) have got a lot to think about in season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"It's entirely universal in that you have a shorthand with your family," Bilton told me of the trio's collective dynamic. "They understand you in a way that you're not otherwise understood.

"With the Cleons, they're going through something no one else understands. Maybe Demerzel [played by Laura Birn] understands it in a way that she sees it from a distance, but she's not going through the experience of being a clone. So, I think they have a deep love, more so than before, for each other.

"There's this gorgeous scene that we shot where the three of us sit together for the first time in season 3," Bilton continued. "I won't say why, but we convene to have a drink and a laugh. When it comes to the ease of that, we're very lucky as cast members that we get on so well off-camera. We just do it on camera this time."

The Cleonic trio's major domo Demerzel will continue attempting to maintain the peace between them (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"There's a rare sense of humanity," Mann added. "We're emperors but we're also clones, so we're constantly trying to grab and hold onto what we believe to be human to try and make us feel important [to someone] and more alive than just existing as the kings of this faltering empire."

That's not to say that Dawn, Day, and Dusk won't butt heads throughout one of the best Apple TV+ shows' third installment. Whether it's Brother Day's The Big Lebowski-inspired indifference to actually ruling the galaxy or another issue, this season's Cleons are still prone to making decisions for selfish means, even if it's to the detriment of their fellow clones.

"As different as they are persona-wise, they're still the same, which is the key to understanding them," Pace mused. "They don't have the intelligence of Hari Seldon or Gaal Dornick. They don't possess the cerebral capacity of Demerzel. What they have is a gut instinct that tells them 'this is how we or I survive', so they're very wily in that regard."

How do you think the Cleons' individual and collective stories will play out this season? Let me know in the comments. Ahead of its July 11 debut on one of the world's best streaming services, see what I thought of its first five episodes by reading my Foundation season 3 review, too.

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The way we work has changed. But despite flexible working now being offered by the majority of UK employers, many businesses are burdened by fragmented tools. Employees are forced to juggle multiple apps and platforms to manage calls, messages, and meetings. This inefficiency stalls productivity and results in poor user experience, leaving 75% of businesses actively seeking to reduce the number of applications they use.

In today's fast-paced, hybrid work environment, businesses need collaboration tools that are secure, scalable, and able to work across any device and location. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is about making this a reality. Consolidating voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single, cloud-driven platform, it streamlines operations and creates a more efficient workflow. It has become a driver of the digital workforce, and the market is set to reach over 131 million global users by 2028, according to Cavell.

Mobility at the heart

Mobility is rapidly shaping the future of communications Today, 57% of workers say smartphones are essential to their jobs and 71% of Microsoft Teams users rely on mobile apps – with over 17 million users depending on the platform’s ‘phone’ feature every month.

In short, mobile integration is no longer a ‘nice to have’. For organizations looking to remain competitive and connected, UCaaS solutions that prioritize mobility are key. These platforms enable users to switch effortlessly between devices, whether they are at a desktop in the office or working remotely.

This is especially vital for industries with mobile workforces - such as healthcare, logistics, or retail - where seamless switching between mobile and desktop isn’t just convenient, it’s critical. Whether it’s a nurse updating electronic health records on the go or a delivery driver needing quick access to customer details, teams need to stay connected and productive, wherever their work takes them.

UCaaS success isn’t just about the software- it’s about the network. A strong, secure, and resilient connectivity foundation is essential. Whether it’s for high-quality voice calls or real-time messaging, everything depends on reliable infrastructure. Businesses need to partner with UCaaS providers who can deliver the robust network support required to enable a mobile, cloud-first workforce.

Keeping it simple

In the age of flexible working, it’s more important than ever that people have access to a simple and accessible communications platform. One which doesn’t require arduous dial-in processes and tenuous connections between multiple parties, or which only supports voice calling – so when you want to send an instant message, you’re back to square one.

UCaaS allows businesses to break down silos between teams and locations. Whether working on a presentation or responding to a customer query, it ensures all communications are accessible from one centralized platform. Being cloud-based means cloud documents are accessible across locations too. Employees with the right expertise can be involved at the right time, overcoming the challenges of disjointed communication channels.

While adopting a new IT or communications system can feel daunting for business leaders, UCaaS is much simpler. Many shy away from new systems because of the perceived complexity involved, but it is often designed with the user in mind, avoiding the friction that comes with traditional communication platforms.

For IT teams, ease of deployment and maintenance is just as important. With digital communication solutions, updates are often handled centrally in the cloud, reducing the need for costly on-site support or downtime. Employees don’t need hours of training to get up to speed either - most platforms mirror the simplicity of consumer apps, allowing teams to focus on their work, not the tools. This simplicity also shortens the time to value for organizations, helping them realize ROI faster and with fewer barriers. At a time when digital transformation fatigue is real, this simplicity can make all the difference.

Work smarter, not harder

Beyond video calls and file sharing, there are advanced features that bring big business benefits. Fraud prevention tools significantly improve security and customer interactions. AI-driven call analytics provide insights that allow businesses to improve decision-making, and capabilities like streamlined call management unlock seamless customer experience for businesses, too.

For example, call queues and interactive voice response services direct inbound calls efficiently, in turn reducing wait times and ensuring no customer inquiry goes unanswered. This efficiency can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. Customers who experience quick, responsive service are more likely to return – and to spend more. It’s a win-win.

Amidst rising economic pressures and the analogue switch-off, businesses need to increase their margins. UCaaS enables this by streamlining operations, cutting complexity, eliminating the need for redundant lines and multiple devices, and importantly, reducing costs.

As organizations race through periods of transition, seamless, integrated communication enables them to thrive. Ultimately, time is a business leader’s most valuable asset. The ability to adapt quickly, innovate continuously, and communicate seamlessly offers a competitive advantage – one that UCaaS provides.

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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

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