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People in Pakistan may still be able to use VPN services without restrictions as the country's telecom body has decided not to ban VPN usage after all. This came as Pakistan's Law Ministry said the government cannot legally block VPNs.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) originally set the deadline for November 30 to begin implementing a new policy regulating VPN usage. According to the new rules, businesses and freelancers could only use a registered service for legitimate purposes such as banking, foreign missions, corporate enterprises, universities, IT companies, and call centers.

On Saturday, November 30, however, the PTA's chief Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeezul Rehman announced the government's decision to extend the registration deadline. A day later, the PTA withdrew the VPN ban completely "over lack of legal grounds" – the Pakistani English-language newspaper Dawn reported.

What's behind the Pakistan VPN debate?

Pakistanis have been increasingly turning to the best VPN apps throughout 2024 as a means to bypass ever-growing government-imposed restrictions.

WhatsApp is the latest social media platform blocked in the country this year. The block was implemented only two days after authorities restricted Bluesky amid a surge in popularity worldwide. X ( formerly Twitter) has been inaccessible without a VPN since February. Meta's Facebook and Instagram were also restricted in July 2024 and May 2023, respectively, according to Surfshark's Internet Tracker.

While such circumventing software becomes a crucial resource for both residents and visitors, authorities reportedly targeted VPN usage during the year, too. Residents have faced temporary connectivity issues since February (exactly when X was first restricted).

In August, the government first shared the plans to regulate the use of VPNs as a way to curb VPN misuse. Authorities would later deem unregistered VPNs a "security risk" for Pakistan as they can be used to access "sensitive data."

Proton VPN has been recording spike in VPN sign-ups from Pakistan since the beginning of the year, with the most recent increase reaching +2860% over baseline on November 26, 2024. (Image credit: Proton)

The PTA has been urging businesses and freelance workers to register their VPN service with the telecom body to avoid any disruptions. Yet, the lack of guidelines for non-commercial VPN users opened up the debate on whether or not the government could actually legally ban VPNs in the country.

Now, it looks like they found the answer – a Pakistan VPN ban goes against the law, according to the country's Law Ministry.

"There was an interpretation issue with the clauses in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and eventually, it has been noted that the reading of the Interior Ministry in this regard was weak, and the courts would allow the functioning of the VPNs," a source within the Interior Ministry told the Dawn.

Do you know?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A virtual private network (VPN) is security software that encrypts your internet connections to prevent snooping. It also spoofs your real IP address location to boost anonymity and grant access to otherwise geo-restricted content.

As per section 34 of PECA, the government can block content but not tools (like VPNs, in this instance).

The news is likely to come as a relief for the thousands of Pakistanis relying on VPN services to keep accessing the free web and protect their privacy online. Yet, issues for VPN users across the country may not end here.

Prominent individuals close to the government have often criticized VPN usage. On November 15, for example, Pakistan's religious chief argued that using a VPN is against Islamic law and called for a ban. The Ministry of Interior also called to block all "illegal" VPNs on the same day, claiming that terrorists use these tools "to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan."

In a briefing to a Senate committee, the PTA Chairman also reiterated that "individuals should not access unauthorized social media apps or websites through VPNs," the Dawn reported.

Besides a growing anti-VPN sentiment, Pakistan has reportedly implemented a China-like internet firewall that "has the ability to block VPNs" – a Ministry of Defence official, familiar with the new deployments, told Al Jazeera.

Whether or not VPN censorship will increase it's still difficult to say for certain, but we can expect the Pakistan VPN debate to keep evolving over the next weeks.

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Light spoilers follow for Creature Commandos.

It's been eight years since DC Comics' mainline universe was rebooted for the fifth time. Back then, the comic giant's latest relaunch, titled 'DC Rebirth', was viewed as an apology to fans for the creative missteps that DC made with its unpopular 'New 52' literary line-up.

Now, DC's cinematic franchise has similarly undergone a hard reset. By the time it ended in late 2023, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), Warner Bros' first attempt at replicating the wildly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with iconic DC superheroes, had run out of track. Indeed, whether it was the tonal whiplash from movie to movie, bad characterization, studio interference, controversies surrounding certain DCEU actors, or a combination of two or more of these issues, it was a dead franchise walking. 'DC Rebirth', then, would be an equally apt title for James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) if it hadn't been used before.

Rather than usher in this new era with a tentpole movie starring a legendary hero like Superman or Batman, though, Gunn and Safran's franchise reset is curiously led by Creature Commandos, an adult animated series that shines the spotlight on numerous B-tier supervillains and anti-heroes. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my time with this freakishly fun first foray into DC Studios' reanimated shared universe, even if it's a show not without its abnormalities.

Monster mash

Rick Flag Sr (center) leads the titular group of monstrous misfits in this tragicomedy series (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

Set after the events of DCEU projects The Suicide Squad and season 1 of Peacemaker – I'll discuss the confusing crossover between both cinematic universes later – Creature Commandos opens on Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo), a decorated military officer visiting Belle Reve, a prison facility that houses supervillains and anti-heroes. There, Flag meets ARGUS commander Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), who tasks him with leading the titular group of ragtag monsters, also known as Task Force M, on a death-defying mission.

The assignment? Protect Princess Ilana (Maria Bakalova), the de facto leader of fictional Eastern European nation Pokolistan, from a supremely powerful sorceress known as Circe (Anya Chalotra). The reason? The US government is trying to strike a deal with Pokolistan for their – surprise surprise – untapped oil reserves.

The tonal chasm between Creature Commandos and the Guardians movies couldn't be starker

By its very nature, Creature Commandos sounds a lot like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy movie trilogy. Gunn wrote and directed those MCU films, and penned all seven scripts for this series, so comparisons between the two, especially from a social outcast ensemble perspective, are inevitable.

Creature Commandos has its fair share of thrilling action sequences (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

But the tonal chasm between the pair couldn't be starker. Sure, Gunn's trademark humor and penchant for telling heart-wrenching, character-driven stories permeate Creature Commandos' overarching plot. But, as Sean Gunn, James' brother and frequent collaborator who voices the anthropomorphic Weasel and Nazi-hunting G.I. Robot, told me, the DCU's first TV show feels "very different" to the Guardians movies.

He isn't wrong. Unlike Gunn's live-action Guardians films, Creature Commandos is unashamedly gruesome in a way that only animated projects can be. Whether it's heads gratuitously exploding in a hail of gunfire, Doctor Phosphorus' (Alan Tudyk) thermokinetic powers melting his foes in graphic detail, or limbs being ripped from people's bodies, the anime-flavored series isn't afraid to dial up the hyperviolence. In that sense, its brutal action sequences, of which there were enough to satisfy me and juxtapose the show's melodrama, are more comparable to The Suicide Squad than Guardians of the Galaxy.

Are we human, or are we monsters?

The Bride's origins story is one of the more heart-wrenching flashbacks in Creature Commandos (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

Creature Commandos doesn't solely rely on its ultraviolent tendencies to illicit an emotional response. Gunn's writing is as admired for its gut punches as much as its darkly comedic sensibilities, so I fully expected it to be a tear-jerking watch.

Nevertheless, I was surprised by the number of emotionally devastating moments that populate it. In addition to following Creature Commandos' central plot, individual chapters, from episode 2 onwards, flesh out a specific monster's story – via a series of flashbacks – that provide important insights into each creature's trauma-laced past and do a largely good job of humanizing Task Force M's superpowered individuals. Some of these trips down memory lane, such as Nina Mazursky (Zoe Chao) and Weasel's, are absolutely soul-crushing to bear witness to. Others, though, are either disappointing in their storytelling execution – the end of Eric Frankenstein's (David Harbour) is particularly vexing – or, like Doctor Phosphorus' origin story, narratively thin and hurried.

I was surprised by the number of emotionally devastating moments that populate Creature Commandos

Doctor Phosphorus' retrospective is among the examples whereby this DCU Chapter One project's genre harmony is at its weakest. At its core, Creature Commandos is a tragicomedy, so a delicate balance needs to be struck between moments of levity and those of a distressing nature. However, it's a blend that Creature Commandos doesn't always get right, with the emotional impact of some of its most agonizing scenes lessened by the immediate delivery of a witty one-liner or an ill-timed mood change.

Creature Commandos' darker moments don't always gel well with its light-hearted ones (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

That's not to say that every tonal shift is jarring. Some, which had me laughing one minute and figuratively ripped out my heart the next, work really well. Even so, there's more than one instance where Creature Commandos' handbrake turns between its comedic and tragic leanings are discombobulating.

It's a problem hampered further by Creature Commandos' plot pacing. Episodes clock in between 21 and 28 minutes, which are ordinarily suitable for animated productions. That said, Creature Commandos' episodic runtimes make it feel sluggish and rushed at various point, while its primary story has the air of being constricted as it battles the Max show's flashback sequences for screen time. A case in point is how quickly Flag Sr and Ilana's arc evolves from strangers to salacious seduction – a scenario that plays out in the premiere's first 15 minutes and feels narratively unearned.

Creature Commandos' episodic runtimes make it feel sluggish and rushed at various point

And what of the elephant in the room I alluded to earlier, i.e. that some plot points from some DCEU projects are quizzically carried over into Gunn and Safran's new look DCU? The short answer, according to Gunn, is any DCEU event referenced in Creature Commandos, such as Waller's throwaway comment on The Suicide Squad's Project Starfish assignment, and other DCU projects is considered canon in DC's rebooted cinematic franchise. Still, I maintain the belief that such references will bewilder anyone who hasn't watched the aforementioned duo, especially if some viewers seek more information on them and then wonder why Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad exist in a completely different franchise.

Friend or foe

The bond that Princess Ilana and Rick Flag Sr strike up is more than risqué to say the least (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

Like most Gunn-developed projects, Creature Commandos is at its strongest when it focuses on its eclectic cast of characters and the awkward-yet-amusing interactions between them. Indeed, forced to co-operate by Waller and Flag Sr, the titular group's bickering, physical squabbles, and regular misunderstandings make for entertaining viewing.

Of the show's numerous dynamics, The Bride and Nina's is the most developed

There are moments of genuine warmth between some of Task Force M's oddball personalities, though, as certain relationships evolve. Of the show's numerous dynamics, The Bride (Indira Varma) and Nina's is the most developed. There's a real satisfaction to the progression of this complex female bond, with the pair's distinct personas, worldviews, and experiences dovetailing to pleasing effect and allowing a genuine friendship to form.

Eric Frankenstein and Rick Flag Sr are one of Creature Commandos' best pairings (Image credit: Max)

The odd-couple partnership between Frankenstein and Flag Sr, which develops in Creature Commandos' latter half, is similarly effective. Although not as endearing as The Bride and Nina's dynamic, their bromance might be the funniest fellowship in the entire show. Much of its success is down to Harbour's impetuous but incredibly dangerous man-child, who fulfils the role of a secondary antagonist as he pursues The Bride in a screwball comedy manner throughout the series. Energized by the Stranger Things star's comedic timing and expert line delivery, Frankenstein's tragic hilarity made me laugh out loud more than once. In my mind, he's easily Creature Commandos' most valuable asset and elevates the entire show.

I would've liked to have seen more of G.I. Robot and Nina's friendship (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

If I had one criticism of Creature Commandos' character-driven element, I wish it explored other dynamics in the same manner as the aforementioned ones. Some can't be examined more thoroughly due to how its story unfolds but others, such as The Bride and Doctor Phosphorus' fractious bond, are only studied in a limited capacity.

Could this, and other issues I had with Creature Commandos, be rectified in a second season? Perhaps but, at the time of writing, there's nothing to report on another outing for the majority of its kooky-yet-lethal cast. Even if another installment isn't greenlit, there'll be ample opportunity to see some characters in other DCU projects, such as Grillo's Flag Sr, who's already confirmed to appear in Gunn's Superman movie and Peacemaker season 2, which arrive next July and August.

My verdict

Despite my nit-pickings, Creature Commandos is a show I had fun with. Indeed, it's a highly satisfying entry point to the DCU that not only sets the stage for DC Studios' forthcoming projects, but puts the onus on its lineup of new movies and shows to tell just as solid, if not better, stories about the comic titan's most popular and underrated characters.

Could Creature Commandos have been better? Certainly, but it still does a good job of telling a compelling story and establishing version 2.0 of DC's cinematic universe. Maybe I've significantly lowered my expectations after the DCEU's wildly inconsistent nature of its forebear, but Creature Commandos is a monstrously solid start to the DCU. For the time being, that's worth accepting.

Creature Commandos debuts on Max with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, December 5, after which new episodes air weekly. UK and Australian release dates are TBC.

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• Meta is believed to be working on its own subsea cable plans worth $10bn+
• They would link the US with South Africa, India and Australia
• The company’s services account for 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile traffic

Meta is reportedly planning to build its own global network of subsea cables spanning more than 40,000km, a plan which could cost the company in excess of $10 billion.

Access to all of its services, including popular social networking sites Facebook and Instagram and messaging platform WhatsApp, accounts for 10% of all fixed traffic. This extends to 22% of all mobile traffic, making its servers some of the most widely accessed globally.

New TechCrunch reporting has revealed Meta is now looking to invest in its own fibre optic cable, which would belong solely and entirely to Zuckerberg’s empire.

Meta subsea cable network

Unnamed sources familiar with the matter have confirmed Meta’s plans, adding that the project is in its infancy. Plans and budgets have not been confirmed, however subsea cable expert Sunil Tagare expects the company to spend in excess of $10 billion over the course of several years.

Meta is expected to share early information in 2025, including the cable’s intended route.

However, Meta’s plans could be delayed or the company could see costs rise if submarine cable industry analyst Ranulf Scarborough’s observations are true – that the ships responsible for laying cables are booked up years in advance due to hot demand.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the cable could extend from America’s east coast – Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach – down to Cape Town and Durban in South Africa, then back up to Mumbai and Chennai in India.

From there, it could drop back south to Darwin, Australia, before returning to the US’ west coast – Grover Beach and Eureka. Because of its shape when drawn out on a map, it’s being dubbed the ‘W’ cable.

Besides being able to give its own services priority on its cables, Meta is also likely to sell its plans on the basis that it could support underserved regions financially, much like Google has done with recent subsea cable projects.

Others have suggested that connecting its cable to India’s mainland would allow Meta to expand its AI data center infrastructure in the country, where resources and time can be cheaper than in other regions.

TechRadar Pro asked Meta for a comment, but the company did not immediately respond.

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• A new DJI Flip drone could be imminent, according to new leaks
• Leaked video suggests the Flip will be a tiny, foldable drone
• It could be another affordable rival for the HoverAir X1

If you thought a complete lack of competition plus the looming threat of US ban might slow down DJI's drone-making powers, you needn't have worried. A leak has just revealed that a tiny new DJI Flip is coming – and it could potentially be a DJI Mini series successor.

The reliable DJI leaker @JasperEllens revealed a DJI Flip video on X (formerly Twitter) that shows how the foldable drone packs down into an incredibly compact, perhaps even pocketable, form. The design is reminiscent of the HoverAir X1, which is effectively a flying point-and-shoot camera.

We don't know how the DJI Flip's camera setup might compare to the X1, but a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing in the US (picked up by @Quadro_News) has given us a few more hints.

Breaking: Thanks to my friend YueYue this is the worlds first view of the #DJIFLIP. The Flip will be the next gen #foldable DJI drone (video). If you were waiting on a Mini 5. This is it. It will have O4 and probably LiDAR. Prop guards are like FPV carbon fiber. Cheers! Jasper pic.twitter.com/uhumLWXLupDecember 1, 2024

That filing suggests the Flip will have a 3,110mAh battery (that's bigger than the DJI Mini 4 Pro's 2,590mAh cell), while separate rumors suggest the drone will have the Lidar-powered obstacle avoidance sensors plus the latest OcuSync 4 (O4) transmission to make it compatible with DJI's RC 2 and RC-N2 controllers.

Overall, this makes the DJI Flip a curious little drone, and it isn't clear yet where it might sit between the new DJI Neo and existing DJI Mini series. As always with DJI, expect new leaks to reveal more soon...

Analysis: Who might the Flip be for?

The DJI Neo (left) and DJI Mini 4 Pro (right) are already compelling compact drone options for different reasons, so the Flip would have strong competition just within the DJI stable. (Image credit: DJI)

As the happy owner of a DJI Mini 3 Pro, I don't quite know what to make of these DJI Flip leaks.

The recent DJI Neo is predominantly an FPV (first-person view) drone, so that new model with its fresh design made sense. But the DJI Mini series, which the Flip appears to compete with, is already tiny and fits into the sub-250g weight class that gives pilots more flying freedom in some regions.

This means it's quite difficult to see how the DJI Mini series and DJI Flip could co-exist – unless the Flip is a more beginner-friendly, DJI Spark-style model that sits beneath the likes of the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

That scenario could make sense, as DJI has been keen to corner the market for drones that are built for social content creators. Like the Neo, the Flip appears to have the propellor guards needed for indoor flight or hovering around people, so it could act like an aerial selfie stick with accurate, Lidar-powered obstacle avoidance to keep it out of trouble.

That said, the leaked DJI Flip image shows that it has a gimbal-stabilized camera, so it's no toy like the Ryze Tello either. For now, my money is on the Flip being a successor to the standard DJI Mini 3 (which it still sells), leaving the Mini 4 Pro as a higher-end travel option. But I'm certainly looking forward to see more of those inevitable leaks to help fill in the gaps.

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• Interpol announces Operation HAECHI V, which lasted five months
• The operation resulted in the arrest of dozens of people, and seizure of millions of dollars
• 40 countries and regions around the world participated

Over the past five months, Interpol and its national partners have arrested more than 5,500 individuals and seized over $400 million stolen through various cybercrime campaigns and fraud schemes.

In an official announcement, Interpol outlined how Operation HAECHI V, launched in July 2023, targeted seven types of cyber-fraud: voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, illegal online gambling, business email compromise, and ecommerce fraud.

Interpol did not list any names, but it did say that it helped Korean and Chinese authorities dismantle a voice phishing organization that cost more than 1,900 people around $1.1 billion. The operation resulted in the arrest of at least 27 group members, and the indictment of 19 of them.

Stopping payments

Interpol added it had also dismantled a crypto scam, in which victims were first coaxed into buying a “stablecoin” called Tether (USDT) from a legitimate service provider. A stablecoin’s value is tied to that of a fiat currency, such as the US dollar, and its value is always the same as its fiat counterpart. Then, the victims were enticed into “investing” that stablecoin, which is where the crooks would steal the funds.

Finally, it used its Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) stop-payment mechanism to save a business from wiring $42.3 million to the fraudsters. The victim had already transferred the money, but Interpol managed to intercept the majority of the funds, and recover the rest later during investigation.

“The effects of cyber-enabled crime can be devastating - people losing their life savings, businesses crippled, and trust in digital and financial systems undermined,” commented Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza.

“The borderless nature of cybercrime means international police cooperation is essential, and the success of this operation supported by INTERPOL shows what results can be achieved when countries work together. It’s only through united efforts that we can make the real and digital worlds safer.”

Law enforcement firms in roughly 40 countries and regions participated in HAECHI V.

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• Researchers found 15 predatory loan apps on the Play Store
• These apps promise cheap and quick loans, and then extort money and harass their victims
• The apps have since been removed

Another set of malicious Android applications from the SpyLoan malware family were discovered, and subsequently removed, from the Google Play Store.

Unfortunately, by the time the 15 apps were identified and ousted, they amassed millions of installations around the world.

SpyLoan apps are also called “predatory loan apps.” They trick the victims into losing money in a somewhat different fashion. Once installed, they will still ask permission to gain access to things like contacts lists, SMS, camera, call logs, and the device’s location.

Targeting South America and Asia

The apps are advertised as personal finance software, promising users quick and flexible loans with low rates and minimal requirements.

These rates and requirements are fraudulent, and if the user accepts the service, they will end up paying high-interest rates. If they appeal, they will be harassed, blackmailed, and will even have their family members dragged into it, as well.

McAfee’s researchers found the 15 apps cumulatively had eight million downloads between them. The top four had a million installations each. The full list of malicious apps can be found on McAfee’s blog here.

The apps primarily targeted people in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The top four apps, with four million downloads between them, were designed for users in Mexico, Colombia, and Senegal. Once the user installs the app, it will send a one-time passcode which it uses to identify the victim’s location, and thus decide whether to proceed or not.

The scariest part about this campaign is that the apps were found on Google’s official repository, the Play Store. Google is usually quite stringent when it comes to mobile apps, and quick to remove any offenders. As such, it has built a reputation of a trusted repository. These SpyLoan apps are another proof that consumers should not blindly trust anyone, not even Google, and should always verify.

To make sure an app is legitimate, make sure to check its rating, the number of downloads, and the reviews. Also, make sure the reviews aren’t randomly generated by bots. Ultimately, read a few lowest-rated reviews, to see what other users were most dissatisfied with.

Via BleepingComputer

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Imagine a hidden marketplace where sensitive information, proprietary data, and corporate vulnerabilities are bartered, sold, and exploited—all in complete anonymity. This is the dark web, a concealed layer of the internet where illegal activity takes place under our noses.

Recent high-profile data breaches show just how urgent this threat has become. In May 2024, over half a billion Ticketmaster customers had their personal information leaked on a dark web forum. Just a month earlier, AT&T faced a similar blow when data from 73 million customers, including social security numbers and passcodes, appeared in dark web listings. Even LinkedIn couldn’t escape; in 2021, data from 700 million users—over 90% of its user base—was posted for sale.

While it occupies only a sliver of the internet, the dark web has become a growing threat to businesses everywhere. From stolen credentials to trade secrets, corporate data circulates in these encrypted spaces, out of reach and often out of sight, creating potential crises for any company that handles valuable information.

To protect against these threats, companies need to stay informed and prepared.

Pulling back the veil on the dark web

The dark web is a hidden layer of the internet that most people never see. Unlike the websites we visit every day, it requires specialized tools like the Tor browser for access, and it operates under unique .onion domains that aren’t seen or indexed by search engines. Originally created by the U.S. Department of Defense for secure communications, the dark web has grown into a largely unregulated space where anonymity reigns.

Although it makes up a tiny fraction of the internet—less than 0.01%—the dark web has become notorious for illegal activities. Under its cloak of encryption and multi-layered routing, users can find marketplaces for drugs, stolen data, counterfeit documents, and even weapons. While some people use the dark web for legitimate reasons, such as protecting privacy or bypassing censorship, this hidden network is rife with risks. Users face exposure to scams, malware, and potential legal trouble if they wander into illegal territory.

Government agencies actively monitor the dark web to counter these threats, but it remains a place where law and order have limited reach. For most, the dark web is best left alone—a reminder of the internet’s power to enable both secrecy and risk.

So, what can businesses do to protect themselves in this high-stakes environment?

Protecting against the dark web

Organizations need to assume their attack surface is bigger than they previously thought. What we used to simply call an “attack surface” has very quickly become an “extended attack surface” due to the growing complexity of IT environments.

Given this, the first step is to accept that some of the organization's data (like leaked credentials to access details available for sale) is already circulating on the dark web—because it is. Then, take action:

Scan for leaked credentials: Regularly monitor for any exposed username and password combinations associated with the organization. This includes tracking hashed credentials that attackers could decrypt. By catching these vulnerabilities early, you can secure accounts before they’re exploited.

Search for accounts and access for sale: Dark web marketplaces often list user accounts and privileged access for sale. Actively scanning these spaces lets you identify compromised accounts linked to the organization, allowing you to promptly disable or re-secure them and prevent unauthorized access.

Monitor for IP-based leaks: Sensitive data leaks are sometimes associated with specific IP addresses tied to the company. Proactively searching for IP-based information on the dark web gives you visibility into potential network vulnerabilities, allowing you to shut down access points before attackers can exploit them.

Identify data from past breaches: Ransomware and data breaches often lead to sensitive information being leaked online. This could include internal documents, customer data, or other proprietary information. Recognizing which data has been exposed helps you understand where the organization is most vulnerable.

Now map them back to the attack surface graph for added context and to prioritize remediation efforts. Here, context is everything—it shows you not just where the data has ended up, but also where the security efforts need to focus next. By overlaying these risks onto the existing attack surface, you gain a clearer, strategic view of how the exposure on the dark web intersects with the organization’s vulnerabilities, guiding the team to address the most critical gaps first.

Securing the business from dark web threats requires not just the right technology but a proactive approach rooted in vigilance, strategy, and readiness. Acknowledging that even a seemingly small leak can have devastating consequences is essential. By educating teams and embedding this awareness into your security strategy, you strengthen your defenses and ensure everyone is prepared to respond swiftly and effectively.

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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

Gen AI is transforming much more than technology—it’s set to reshape entire industries. Case in point: a recent McKinsey study projects that it could add up to $4.4 trillion to the global economy every year.

Gen AI isn’t just another tool; it’s a powerful driver of growth, capable of streamlining operations, sparking innovation, and unlocking entirely new business models

But here’s the kicker: while the potential is enormous, many companies are struggling with where to even start. With an overwhelming number of Gen AI tools and technologies flooding the market, figuring out which ones to adopt—and how to actually see meaningful results—has become a major challenge.

For businesses that want to get ahead, the key isn’t just jumping on the Gen AI bandwagon, but knowing exactly which applications will drive real, measurable impact.

How to unlock value

Rather than trying to implement AI everywhere, businesses should invest in areas where Gen AI can deliver real, measurable impact. Here’s how companies are driving meaningful results by applying Gen AI in three key areas:

Automating for efficiency: Gen AI can take on repetitive tasks that drain time and energy from teams—like content creation, data entry, and reporting—allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. This shift doesn’t just save time; it improves productivity and reduces costs. To see its impact, track metrics like time saved, productivity gains, and cost reductions.

Making data-driven decisions easier: Gen AI processes large datasets at remarkable speeds, uncovering insights that fuel smarter, proactive decisions. Through predictive analytics and trend forecasting, Gen AI helps companies anticipate shifts and respond effectively. When measuring success, consider faster decision cycles, greater accuracy, and how these insights drive positive outcomes.

Fueling innovation and speeding up product development: With Gen AI, companies can speed up every stage of product development, from ideation to prototyping. This acceleration enables businesses to get new products to market faster and gives them a competitive edge. Metrics to monitor include shorter development timelines, increased product launches, and revenue growth tied to new AI-driven offerings.

Where to Invest

For Gen AI to act as a true growth engine, CIOs should allocate budgets toward technologies that bring out its full potential: AI-Driven Personalization: Tailored customer experiences are essential for fostering loyalty and engagement. By leveraging AI to personalize interactions—whether through product recommendations, targeted content, or one-on-one communications—companies can make each customer touchpoint more relevant and impactful, strengthening long-term relationships.

Advanced data analytics: Real-time data platforms empower teams to make swift, informed decisions and proactively respond to customer needs. Investing in advanced analytics not only keeps businesses agile in a dynamic market but also sharpens their competitive edge. With real-time insights, teams can pivot quickly to meet shifting demands.

AI governance and risk management: To ensure sustainable growth, it’s critical to build frameworks for responsible AI usage. Establishing clear guidelines around transparency, accountability, and ethical practices helps to mitigate potential risks and build trust with customers and stakeholders. By prioritizing governance, businesses lay the groundwork for reliable, secure, and trustworthy AI-driven innovation.

How to measure impact

For Gen AI initiatives to demonstrate real value, organizations need a clear framework to track their impact over time. Defining and measuring success not only justifies investments but also aligns teams on goals and benchmarks that matter. Here’s a look at some key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of Gen AI:

Time and cost savings from automation: Start by tracking how much time and cost are saved by automating repetitive processes. For instance, calculate the hours saved in areas like data entry, content creation, or customer service, and quantify these reductions as cost savings. Monitoring these efficiencies over time highlights the tangible ROI of automation and provides a strong case for continued AI investment.

Increase in employee productivity and satisfaction: With AI taking on time-consuming tasks, employees can focus on more meaningful, high-impact work. Measure productivity gains by looking at metrics like tasks completed per hour or customer requests handled daily. To understand the broader impact, conduct employee satisfaction surveys to gauge how AI-enabled tools are affecting morale and job satisfaction, as a positive shift here translates to higher retention and better overall performance.

Revenue growth attributed to AI-driven innovations: Track revenue generated directly from new products, services, or customer segments enabled by Gen AI. By isolating the revenue streams that are AI-driven, companies can better understand how much their Gen AI investments contribute to top-line growth. For example, a retailer that introduces personalized recommendations powered by Gen AI could measure the lift in average order value or repeat purchase rates to attribute revenue gains to these innovations.

Improvement in customer satisfaction and retention rates: AI-powered personalization, faster response times, and enhanced product experiences all contribute to customer satisfaction. Using metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), customer retention rates, and satisfaction survey scores, companies can gauge the customer-facing impact of their Gen AI initiatives. Higher customer satisfaction not only leads to retention but also boosts brand loyalty and positive referrals

Watch for the pitfalls

As businesses embrace Gen AI, it’s important to navigate potential challenges carefully. Here are a few common pitfalls to watch for to ensure AI investments stay aligned with business goals:

Overinvesting in technology without a clear business case: Jumping into AI without a defined strategy can lead to costly investments with minimal return. Avoid this by establishing specific business objectives and measurable goals for each AI initiative. Before committing to new technology, consider whether it aligns with your broader business priorities and how it will drive value in concrete ways.

Neglecting to retrain and upskill employees: AI can enhance team productivity, but only if employees are equipped to work alongside these new tools. Neglecting to upskill staff can result in underutilized technology and frustrated team members. Invest in training programs to familiarize employees with AI tools and workflows, and provide ongoing support to help them leverage AI effectively in their roles. Empowering employees to integrate AI smoothly into their day-to-day work will maximize its impact.

Failing to address ethical concerns and bias in AI systems: As AI becomes a central part of business operations, so too does the need for ethical responsibility. Overlooking ethical considerations and potential biases in AI systems can damage customer trust and lead to unintended consequences. To build a foundation of trust, prioritize transparency, and ensure AI systems are developed with fairness, accountability, and inclusivity in mind. Regularly audit AI models to check for biases and communicate openly with customers about data usage and privacy protections.

Bottom line: Take a practical approach to Gen AI to stay competitive and drive growth. Focus on real applications and track results to turn Gen AI into a core advantage for your business.

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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

• The filmmaker behind Spider-Man's three MCU movies says he's not involved in the superhero's next film
• Jon Watts "doesn't know anything" about the forthcoming Marvel-Sony project
• Star Wars: Skeleton Crew's co-creator says he's "excited to watch it as a fan again"

Spider-Man 4 is officially in development, but the man behind the superhero's three previous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies says he isn't involved in any capacity.

Jon Watts, who helmed the webslinger's first three solo films in the MCU, confirmed he's had no creative input on the upcoming flick. Speaking exclusively to TechRadar, Watts simply stated he was "excited" to see what Marvel and Sony were cooking up for Spider-Man's next big screen adventure.

With Watts performing press duties to promote Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, the forthcoming Lucasfilm series for Disney Plus that he co-created, I had the opportunity to ask if he would have a hand in its development. However, while Watts didn't outright deny if Marvel and/or Sony had contacted him to ensure there was creative continuity between his films and Spidey's next flick, his short but polite response suggested that neither studio had done so.

"Honestly, this one, I'm excited to not know anything," Watts replied. "I don't know anything. I'm just excited to go [and] watch it as a fan again."

Swinging onto something new

Spider-Man: No Way Home is one of the most profitable movies ever made (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Watts' lack of involvement isn't a great surprise. In late October, it was confirmed that Spider-Man 4 would not only swing into theaters in July 2026, but that Shang-Chi director Daniel Destin Cretton had signed on to direct it. Clearly, after helming three of the character's first MCU film trilogy, Watts wanted to move onto other things. Indeed, he was previously attached to The Fantastic Four: First Steps before, well, stepping away from that film and joining frequent collaborator Christopher Ford on Skeleton Crew.

To some, though, Watts' somewhat non-committal reply will suggest he may be involved in some capacity. As I mentioned, he directed Spider-Man's first three solo movies in the MCU, and the final one of those – Spider-Man: No Way Home – is still the highest grossing non-Avengers film in Marvel Studios' history. Per Box Office Mojo, the Tom Holland-starring threequel earned an absolutely massive $1.95 billion globally, thereby making it the seventh most lucrative film of all-time.

Considering the amount of money that No Way Home's predecessors – Spider-Man: Homecoming ($880m) and Spider-Man: Far From Home ($1.13bn) – also made, it wouldn't be a complete shock if Marvel and Sony sought (or will seek) Watts' input. With the writer-director moving onto other projects, though, and the two studios putting their faith in Cretton, plus writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, on this Marvel Phase 6 flick, my reading of the situation us that Spider-Man 4 will act as a clean slate for all concerned.

Spider-Man 4, which Holland says will start shooting in mid-2025, is set to arrive in theaters worldwide on July 24, 2026. Depending on where you live, Holland's other outing as the famous wall-crawler are available on some of the world's best streaming services, including Netflix and Disney Plus.

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• ITU and ICPC announce the launch of a new subsea cable protection board
• 40 members from around the world will oversee the international initiative
• The news comes as sabotage threats rise amid geopolitical tensions

Following recently news of two undersea cables being sabotaged in Europe, two telecoms giants have launched an international advisory board to protect subsea cables from future attacks.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have announced the formation of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience.

From launch, 40 members will form the committee, including Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and senior experts.

New board launched to protect subsea cables

The ITU wrote: “The Advisory Body will address ways to improve cable resilience by promoting best practices for governments and industry players to ensure the timely deployment and repair of submarine cables, reduce the risks of damage, and enhance the continuity of communications over the cables.”

“The Advisory Body will mobilize expertise from around the world to ensure this vital digital infrastructure remains resilient in the face of disasters, accidents, and other risks," added ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

Subsea cables are believed to carry 99% of the world’s international data exchanges. The ICPC says that 150-200 subsea cable faults occur globally every year – fishing and anchoring mistakes together with natural causes like abrasion are often to blame, however increased geopolitical tensions are adding to the threat of sabotage.

Looking ahead, the Body has committed to meeting at least twice a year to consult with experts on telecommunications, digital resilience infrastructure development, infrastructure investment and international policy. The first meeting, a virtual one, is scheduled for this month.

In February 2025, the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, Nigeria will mark the Board’s first in-person meeting.

Professor Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Portugal and co-chair for the Advisory Body, added: “This initiative underscores the global community's commitment to strengthening these networks and advancing international cooperation for digital resilience.”

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• Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is reportedly populated with Easter eggs and other Star Wars references
• Its creators says some aren't as obvious as others, but one in episode 1 "isn't hidden at all"
• However, the pair are confident that Star Wars fans will eventually find them all

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew's creators say there's "no doubt" that Star Wars fans will find every reference to Lucasfilm's sci-fi franchise in the Disney Plus series.

In an exclusive chat with TechRadar, Jon Watts and Christopher Ford admitted Star Wars fanatics won't find every secret right away. However, the duo have full confidence that diehards will eventually unearth every Easter egg hidden in Skeleton Crew.

With Skeleton Crew being set in the post-Return of the Jedi part of the Star Wars timeline, there won't be any nods to events that transpire in the sequel movie trilogy. Nonetheless, with many other shows and films set before and around the eight episode series, there will be more than enough surprises for viewers to discover – and one, which appears in its premiere, won't be so difficult to spot.

"Checking in to see if you've found every Easter egg so far, over?" (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

"[There's one] in the first episode that's not hidden at all," Watts revealed. "As soon as everyone sees it, they'll know [what it refers to]."

"Yeah, that one's just blatant," Ford said with a smile. "I'll just say there are references to Ewok Adventures, but there are also other very subtle ones that might not be obvious at first. So, yeah, look close."

"We've no doubt that fans will find them all," Watts added. "Never doubt the Star Wars fandom!"

These are the secrets you're looking for

"Huddle up, gang, we're going Easter egg hunting!" (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

Possible spoilers follow for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Eager though Watts and Ford are for fans to locate every Easter egg on their own, the duo have already jumped the gun and revealed a couple that'll appear in the last of 2024's new Star Wars movies and shows.

Indeed, speaking to Empire magazine in mid-October, Watts and Ford confirmed that the Teek, a species that, like the teddy bear-esque Ewoks, are native to the planet of Endor, will appear in Skeleton Crew. The Teek were seen for the first and last time in two Ewok-starring movie spin-offs Caravan of Courage: Ewok Adventures and The Battle of Endor – films that aren't considered canon in the Star Wars franchise. The Teek's appearance in Skeleton Crew, though, may just change that.

Meanwhile, in a chat with The Holo Files, Watts and Ford also stated that the forthcoming series would include nots to the oft-maligned Star Wars Holiday Special. That bizarre project isn't good enough to book a spot on our best Disney Plus movies and best Disney Plus shows list, but maybe Skeleton Crew will be in order to join the latter.

Having watched Skeleton Crew's first three episodes, I can attest to the number of Star Wars references that are littered throughout. I won't spoil any here, nor do I do so in my Star Wars: Skeleton Crew review, which you can read very soon. So, fear not, you'll be able to find them all on your own if you so wish. While you wait for my Skeleton Crew review to be published, check out more of our other Star Wars articles, plus other exclusive pieces concerning Skeleton Crew, before it debuts on one of the world's best streaming services, below.

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