Shameless Plug

European Parliament Ditches Google For French Search Firm Published on 2026-06-02T22:00:00Z The European Parliament is replacing Google with French search engine Qwant as the default on in-house computers, citing digital sovereignty and privacy concerns. Politico reports: As of Thursday June 4, "Qwant will replace Google as default search engine on European Parliament computers," officials told lawmakers in an email seen by POLITICO. The change is being made "in line with the Parliament's commitment to digital sovereignty and the protection of users' personal data." The search-engine switch comes as Brussels doubles down on its push for âoetech sovereignty.â The European Commission will on Wednesday unveil its long-awaited tech sovereignty package aimed at reducing dependence on foreign technology providers and boosting European alternatives. The email described Qwant as a "privacy-focused European search engine" designed to avoid tracking user...

Russian Spy Agency Says Foreign Spies Turned Officials' Smartphones Into Surveillance Devices Published on 2026-06-02T21:00:00Z Russia's FSB claims foreign intelligence services compromised smartphones belonging to senior Russian officials, allegedly turning them into surveillance devices capable of stealing data, recording conversations, and activating microphones or cameras. "This software is used to steal existing data, eavesdrop on ongoing conversations, and conduct covert acoustic and video monitoring of the environment near electronic devices, all aimed at obtaining sensitive information," the FSB said. The Register reports: The agency said it had opened a criminal investigation into illegal access to computer information and the distribution of malicious software. It did not identify the alleged intelligence service responsible, disclose how many officials were affected, name the malware involved, or provide any technical indicators that would allow independe...

Microsoft Deliberately Bricking All Office For Mac 2019/2021 Installations Published on 2026-06-02T20:00:00Z Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac will reportedly drop into "reduced functionality mode" on July 13, 2026, when a license-validation certificate expires, leaving perpetually licensed apps able to open files but not edit or save them. Slashdot reader joshuark shares a report from OSnews: "Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac view-only conversion (2026) is a scheduled remote degradation of perpetually-licensed Microsoft Office software for macOS and iOS, set for July 13, 2026 when a license-validation certificate used by the Office apps expires," reports the Consumer Rights Wiki. "After Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support in October 2023, Microsoft assured customers their installed apps would 'continue to function.' The July 13, 2026 conversion instead drops the apps into a Microsoft-defined 'reduced functionality mode,' in ...

Microsoft Unveils Scout, an Autonomous AI Agent Built On OpenClaw Published on 2026-06-02T19:00:00Z Microsoft has unveiled Scout, an experimental always-on AI "autopilot" agent for Microsoft 365 that can operate across Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, calendars, contacts, browsers, and external apps via MCP. "Autopilots stay active in the background, understand how work gets done across your apps and systems, and take action without needing to be prompted each time," said Omar Shahine, a Microsoft veteran who recently announced he is leading a new team to bring OpenClaw-based personal assistants to Microsoft 365 apps. Computerworld reports: Shahine said Scout can reduce mundane tasks that office workers face, such as coordinating and scheduling meeting times with colleagues, or blocking times in a user's calendar based on upcoming work commitments. "It can also spot risks, like stalled decisions, so you can address them before they become blockers,...

Hackers Simply Asked Meta's AI To Take Over High-Profile Instagram Accounts Published on 2026-06-01T22:00:00Z "Hackers used Meta's AI support chatbot to change email addresses associated with high-profile Instagram accounts, such as Barack Obama's White House account, allowing them to change the passwords and gain control over the accounts," writes Slashdot reader fropenn. Other accounts affected include the Chief Master Sergeant of Space Force and Sephora's. 404 Media reports: In March, Meta announced that it was pushing AI support to all accounts across Facebook and Instagram, and that it would have the ability to reset passwords and perform other critical account maintenance functions: "Solutions, not just suggestions," the feature's product page says. "Account security and recovery." Over the last several days, Telegram groups for security researchers and hacking groups have been sharing videos and screenshots of the steps taken...

Florida Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, Accusing Them of Putting Profit Over Safety Published on 2026-06-01T21:00:00Z Florida's attorney general has sued (PDF) OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company prioritized growth and market value over user safety and failed to adequately warn about risks tied to ChatGPT. The lawsuit, the first by a U.S. state over OpenAI safety concerns, is separate from a criminal investigation the state opened into OpenAI in April. Variety reports: In the 83-page complaint filed in Florida circuit court, the state claimed OpenAI's rise was backed by "a web of deceit and the exploitation of users (including Floridians), leveraging their data and safety to boost OpenAI's market value at unacceptable costs." The state wants to hold Altman "personally liable for the harm he has caused Floridians through his reckless and willful conduct as founder and CEO of OpenAI, including his utter disregard for the risk to human life caused ...

Anthropic Files to Go Public Published on 2026-06-01T20:00:00Z Anthropic says it has confidentially filed an IPO prospectus with the SEC, "setting up a potentially historic share sale for investors ready to jump into artificial intelligence," reports CNBC. The move puts Anthropic ahead of OpenAI's expected filing and follows explosive reported growth, a massive new valuation, major infrastructure deals, and ongoing tensions with the Pentagon over its models. From the report: "This gives us the option to go public after the SEC completes its review," Anthropic said in a statement on Monday. "The proposed initial public offering will depend on market conditions and other factors." Submitting a confidential prospectus doesn't lock Anthropic into a certain timeframe for going public. Its official prospectus just has to land in the hands of investors at least 15 days before the company begins a roadshow. [...] The company has experienced explosive g...