Hackers Linked to Chinese Government Accessed State Computer Systems

Hackers believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government have accessed computer systems in six U.S. state governments in a continuing espionage campaign that included the use of the widespread Log4J computer bug detected late last year, according to cybersecurity researchers. The hacks, which took advantage of vulnerable internet-facing web applications, date to at least May 2021, according to new findings made public by the U.S.-based cybersecurity firm Mandiant.

Commerce Secretary Warns Chinese Companies About Defying Russian Sanctions

Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, issued a stern warning to Chinese companies that might defy U.S. restrictions against exporting to Russia, saying the United States would cut them off from American equipment and software they need to make their products. The Biden administration could “essentially shut” down Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation or any Chinese companies that defy U.S. sanctions by continuing to supply chips and other advanced technology to Russia, Ms. Raimondo said in an interview with The New York Times.

British Government to Force Social Media Sites to Ban Fraudulent Ads

Britain said it would force Google, Facebook, Twitter and other online platforms to prevent paid-for fraudulent adverts after calls from regulators and consumer groups for a stronger crackdown on scams. The government said its draft law on preventing online harms would include the requirement for large platforms to improve protection from criminals impersonating celebrities or companies to steal personal data, peddle unsafe financial investments or break into bank accounts.

Lumen Becomes Second U.S. Internet Service Provide to Cut Russian Ties

Lumen, a leading American Internet provider to Russia, announced that it was severing business relations in the country, a move likely to increase Russia’s isolation as its citizens slip behind what some analysts are calling a new digital Iron Curtain. Lumen became the second top U.S.-based carrier to make such a move in recent days, following Friday’s announcement by Cogent Communications.

Bill Would Ensure Cryptocurrency Not Used to Evade Sanctions on Russia

As the U.S. searches for new ways to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is crafting legislation she hopes will make it harder to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. The proposal, still in draft form, has taken on new urgency as bipartisan concerns grow that members of Moscow’s elite might be able to sidestep sanctions by using digital currencies.

Three Major Cybersecurity Companies Volunteer to Protect Utilities, Hospitals

While a growing number of U.S. companies are breaking business ties with Russia, three major cybersecurity companies are volunteering to protect U.S. utilities and hospitals free amid concerns about retaliatory hacks. Though no surge in cyberattacks on American companies has been reported, the federal government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has urged U.S. organizations to lock down their systems in case the Russian government or private hackers take action as the divide between Russia and the United States grows.

Justice Department Charges Cryptocurrency Executive with Fraud

U.S. authorities filed criminal charges against a cryptocurrency executive and civil charges against him and his sister, accusing them of defrauding retail investors out of millions of dollars with a digital token known as Ormeus Coin. In papers filed in Manhattan federal court, the Justice Department said John Barksdale lied about the value and profitability of Ormeus Coin's mining assets, including that the coin was backed by a $250 million mining operation generating more than $5 million of monthly revenue.

FTC Says WW Weight-Loss Organization Violated Child Privacy Act

WW International, the weight-loss organization formerly known as Weight Watchers, used an app to illegally collect personal information from children without their parents’ permission, the Federal Trade Commission said. A complaint filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the commission said that WW and its pediatric weight-loss app, Kurbo, violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, which requires apps and other online services geared toward children to get parental consent before collecting data from users under 13.

Musk Asks Judge to Scrap Settlement Over Twitter Posts as Unworkable

Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk asked a federal judge to scrap a settlement he reached with securities regulators in 2018 that required some of his tweets be preapproved, a condition that has fomented an ongoing conflict with the government over whether he and Tesla have followed the rule. In a motion filed in Manhattan federal court, Mr. Musk’s lawyers argued that the Twitter oversight policy has become unworkable, while the Securities and Exchange Commission has abused the deal to make “round after round of demands for voluminous, costly document productions, with no signs of abatement.”

Kyiv's Cyber Watchdog Says Ukrainian Websites Under 'Nonstop' Attacks

Ukrainian websites have been under nonstop attack from Russian hackers since the Kremlin launched an invasion of the country last month, Kyiv's cyber watchdog agency said. In a post to Twitter, Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection said that "Russian hackers keep on attacking Ukrainian information resources nonstop.”

Hundreds of Thousands of Videos from Ukraine Create 'First TikTok War'

TikTok, the Chinese-owned video app known for viral dance and lip-syncing videos, has emerged as one of the most popular platforms for sharing videos and photos of the Russia-Ukraine war. Over the past week, hundreds of thousands of videos about the conflict have been uploaded to the app from across the world, according to a review by The New York Times.

PayPal Shuts Down Services in Russia, Still Allows Withdrawals

Payments company PayPal Holdings Inc. shut down its services in Russia, citing "the current circumstances," joining many financial and tech companies in suspending operations there after the invasion of Ukraine. A company spokesperson said PayPal will support withdrawals "for a period of time, ensuring that account balances are dispersed in line with applicable laws and regulations.”

Russian Government Blocks Facebook, Citing Discrimination Against Media

Facebook became the first American tech giant to be blocked by the Russian government, as part of the Kremlin’s broadening campaign to tighten control of the internet and limit spaces for dissent about the war in Ukraine. The move could foreshadow further restrictions against other tech companies such as Google, which owns YouTube, and Twitter.

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The GigaLaw Firm helps companies of all sizes protect their brands online, using domain name dispute policies – such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) – and other legal tools available to copyright and trademark owners on the Internet.