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Most consumers have strong perspectives when it comes to sharing their personal data with an organization. Some are more open, happy to share information if it equates with a more personalized product experience. Others are more guarded, hesitant to give over details, usually due to security concerns. But what determines the standpoint any given person has on data sharing?

While generalizing can often be misleading, statistics reveal clear trends when examining attitudes by generation. Understanding these generational differences reveals how organizations can engage with customers of all ages in ways that build confidence and satisfaction with their data practices.

The generational gap in data sharing attitudes

Younger generations are much more open when it comes to data sharing. Research which examined how consumers feel about sharing their date of birth with an unfamiliar company backs this up. Among 18-24 year-olds, 21% feel comfortable doing this, compared to just 8% of those aged 45-54. That's nearly a threefold difference in comfort levels for sharing something as basic as a birth date. When it comes to more sensitive information, this difference becomes even more pronounced.

When asked if they'd share spending habits in exchange for potential benefits such as helping them to save money, 38% of 18-24 year-olds said they would, while only 15% of those over 55 agreed. This stark contrast highlights how differently generations approach their personal information.

Rather than treating data sharing primarily as a privacy and security risk, many younger consumers see it as a natural exchange that enhances their experiences. They've grown up in an environment where personalized recommendations and tailored experiences aren't just nice-to-have features, they're expected parts of everyday digital interactions.

Older generations take a markedly different approach. Having witnessed firsthand how privacy concerns have evolved over decades, they tend to need stronger reassurances and clearer benefits before sharing personal details. This isn't simply resistance to technology. It reflects genuine differences in how each generation fundamentally conceptualizes privacy and what constitutes a fair value exchange for their personal information.

The evolution of trust beyond security

Despite the clear generation gap in attitudes, there's one crucial factor that unites consumers of all ages: trust. This is the foundation upon which all data sharing decisions are built. According to research, an overwhelming 94% of consumers across every age bracket point to trust as the deciding factor in whether they'll share their information. The evidence is clear: 64% would readily share personal details with an organization they trust, while only 36% would do the same with a company they're unfamiliar with.

What's interesting is how the concept of trust itself has evolved over time. Basic security measures that were once seen as exceptional are now simply expected as standard practice. Today's consumers are more sophisticated in their evaluation, looking beyond just data protection. They want to know how transparent an organization is about their data practices and, perhaps most importantly, what tangible value they'll receive in return for their information.

We can see this shift reflected in changing consumer attitudes. Research from the Data Protection Networks shows that while "data pragmatists" (those willing to share information for clear benefits) remain the largest group, they've declined from 53% to 46%. At the same time, "data fundamentalists" who are highly protective of their data have decreased from 31% to 23%.

This doesn't mean consumers are becoming less concerned about privacy. Rather, it suggests they've developed a more nuanced understanding of the data value exchange. What modern consumers increasingly demand is transparency around "good use cases" for their data.

They want organizations to clearly explain not just how their information will be protected, and the tangible benefits they'll receive in return, from relevant product recommendations and timely offers tailored to their preferences, to streamlined checkout processes and personalized content that ultimately saves them time and effort and makes for a better customer experience.

The balancing act of personalization

At the heart of this evolving landscape sits personalization – the ability to craft experiences that feel genuinely tailored to individual preferences. When done effectively, personalization creates precisely the kind of value that justifies data sharing across all age groups.

Many consumers see data sharing as part of a broader economic ecosystem. Research reveals that 52% of UK consumers would be more willing to share personal data if they knew it would help smaller companies compete more effectively. This view is particularly strong among those under 45, suggesting younger generations may see their data sharing as contributing to a healthier, more dynamic marketplace – not just as a way to improve their own experience.

For businesses, this creates both opportunity and responsibility. The challenge lies in developing personalization approaches that respect individual boundaries while delivering genuine value. Rather than relying on broad generational assumptions, forward-thinking companies are using their analytics capabilities to understand the specific preferences and comfort levels of each individual customer.

Data handling with care

Tomorrow's most successful organizations won't simply be those that amass the largest data repositories. They'll be those that build the most thoughtful relationships with that data – and more importantly, with the people behind it. That means creating flexible systems that allow individuals to share information on their own terms, while clearly communicating the benefits of doing so.

As consumer expectations continue to shift and regulatory frameworks evolve, the organizations that combine sophisticated data capabilities with genuine respect for consumer preferences will build the trust necessary to succeed across all generational segments. The reward for getting this right? More meaningful personalization, stronger customer relationships, and business outcomes that truly reflect the full potential of our data-driven world.

We've compiled a list of the best customer feedback tools.

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

Computex 2025 is now underway with companies and manufacturers set to showcase upcoming desktop and portable PC hardware – and MSI has just set the tone for the remainder of the biggest tech event.

After numerous rumors regarding a potential new AMD-powered handheld, MSI has officially announced the new MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM handheld gaming PC. As speculated, it will use AMD's latest Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, as MSI moves away from Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V used in the Claw 8 AI+.

It's certainly a big surprise despite the previous leaks, and there are some key takeaways to make – from its new design down to its potential performance capabilities. Here's everything you should look forward to with the Claw A8 handheld gaming PC.

1. It will be powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU

(Image credit: MSI)

While AMD's latest handheld processor, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, has been included in the prototype version of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 (and supposedly the rumored Xbox handheld), the new MSI Claw A8 will join it in doing so – and may even launch ahead of it.

However, the highlight is that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme is expected to be Team Red's most powerful handheld Z2 chip yet, and an upgrade from the original Ryzen Z1 Extreme (used in the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go). It has 8 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores, a sizable jump from the previous 12 GPU cores on the Z1 Extreme.

We've not seen any handheld gaming PC officially use the Ryzen Z2 Extreme yet, besides the Legion Go prototype – and its specifications suggest it will be competing against Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V used in the MSI Claw 8 AI+, so it'll be exciting to see which device (between the Claw 8 AI+ and the Claw A8) comes out on top.

2. The Claw A8 may be a slightly cheaper alternative to the new Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition

(Image credit: MSI)

Since prices aren't announced yet, there's no clarity on the new MSI Claw A8's price. However, it may be the slightly cheaper alternative to the new Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition; it's using Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Intel's Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 (which makes sense since there's no Intel chip here).

It will also have up to 24GB LPDDR5 RAM support, instead of the Claw 8 AI+'s 32GB RAM, which means there may be two different configurations of the Claw A8 to choose from.

We should have more clarity on pricing during Computex 2025, but the price difference may stem mostly from the Ryzen Z2 Extreme's performance versus the Core Ultra 7 258V.

3. It has a new design for hand comfort and a new green color scheme

(Image credit: MSI)

As you can see in the images, it looks like the MSI Claw A8 will feature a different design to provide more hand comfort. The handles appear to be curved inwards, which looks very similar to the Asus ROG Ally's, and this could go a long way in providing extra comfort for those long hours of gaming.

I'm happy to see that MSI has kept the 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display with the Claw A8, as it's the ideal amount of screen space to get the best out of portable gaming. It'll also be interesting to see how the Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor tackles the resolution, and see how it fares against its counterpart's processor.

So far, it looks like we'll have the same snow-white color scheme from the Polar Tempest Claw 8 AI+ on the Claw A8, alongside an entirely new green color to choose from. There's currently no confirmation on a release date, price, or availability, but you can expect to see further details during Computex 2025.

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• The US has expressed concerns about Apple's AI deal with Alibaba in China
• Around one in five of Apple's sales are in China – its second-largest market
• Apple has also been slammed for manufacturing in India, not the US

The Trump administration and Congress are concerned about Apple's deal with Alibaba to power some of the AI features on iPhones in China, noting potential privacy concerns (via The New York Times).

Worries about data sharing and national security implications have been raised, with the potential legal requirements for Apple and Alibaba to adhere to Chinese regulator rules central to the discussion.

Moreover, only Alibaba has publicly confirmed the agreement, with Apple remaining silent – this could indicate potential uncertainty or an unfinished deal, or it could just be a typical Apple move of keeping developments under tight wraps until the final moment.

US worried about Apple's deal with Alibaba for AI tools

The deal is being scrutinized amid ongoing US-China tensions, with concerns about aiding China's AI development and improving Chinese military AI capabilities both noted.

"Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on A.I. is anyone’s guess," Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois proclaimed.

Apple has already dropped a deal with Chinese chipmaker YMTC over pressure from the US, and the Cupertino tech giant is also facing challenges from the trade war-induced tariffs and supply chain shifts out of China, with industry experts warning of sharp price hikes for consumers partaking in the next refresh cycle.

However, China is the company's second-largest market, accounting for around one-fifth of its sales, highlighting the importance of a deal so as not to miss out against local smartphone makers.

The US administration has considered restricting US companies from doing business with the likes of Alibaba and other Chinese firms, but no details have been confirmed.

Although the company has sought to diversify its supply chain, President Trump has criticized Tim Cook for increasing production in India, urging domestic US manufacturing instead – one of the President's ultimate goals.

Ultimately, Apple risks issues whichever way the deal swings, either missing out on millions of Chinese sales or potentially serious implications within the US. Apple had a 13% smartphone market share in China during the first three months of 2025 (via Canalys), putting it several paces behind Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO and vivo.

"The US smartphone market is expected to experience considerable volatility over the next two to three quarters, impacted by inventory corrections and weakening consumer confidence," Canalys Research Manager Le Xuan Chiew explained.

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• "AI is the new electricity", Michael Dell declares
• Opening Dell Technologies World 2025, he highlights importance of AI innovation
• "AI isn’t your product, but AI can power your purpose" Dell says

The founder and CEO of Dell Technologies has urged businesses of all sizes to fully embrace the potential offered by AI in order to stay competitive and thrive ahead of the competition.

Delivering the opening keynote at Dell Technologies World 2025, Michael Dell warned how, "the real danger is staying still,” as he highlighted several ways AI can benefit firms.

"AI is the new electricity - and Dell is the grid powering this transformation," he declared.

Making AI easier

During the keynote, the founder guided us along “Dell Technologies Way”, where the company’s services and systems power a wide range of businesses, industries and individuals alike.

“Our street is alive with your energy, and yes - your creativity and your data,” he declared, “whether you’re developing cancer treatments, or growing a business, data is at the center of everything, everywhere, all of the time.”

This included the company’s “AI Factory” platform, which saw its second generation unveiled as part of a long-standing partnership with Nvidia.

“For most of us…AI isn’t your product, but AI can power your purpose,” Dell added, “you don’t need your own Colossus, but you do need AI, and we’re taking all the learnings from these massive systems to make AI easier for you.”

“From AI PCs to small, domain-specific models running on the edge to the planetary scale AI data centers, we’ve got you covered.”

(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)

Dell noted how over 75% of enterprise data will soon be created and processed at the edge - “and AI will follow the data - not the other way around.”

"The future of AI will be decentralized, low-latency and hyper-efficiency - and that's why Dell is pioneering the edge AI revolution, bringing real-time intelligence to wherever the data lives.”

"Here at Dell, we love data,” he added, “we store it, we protect it, we organize it, and we transform it into actions and insights that drive human progress - and turbocharged by AI, that engine of progress is going faster than ever before," he added.

“The pace of innovation is at Mach 3 - we’re creating the future.”

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• 817 Microsoft software engineers lost their jobs in Washington state alone
• The redundancies were believed to be targeting inefficient management layers
• Around a third of Microsoft's code is AI-written, Google and Meta are also in a similar place

Microsoft recently confirmed around 6,000 to 7,000 job cuts globally, including an estimated 2,000 redundancies in its home state of Washington.

It's now come to light that over 40% of the Washington layoffs were related to software engineering (817 roles) (via Bloomberg), with the company previously stating that the layoffs were part of a broader cost cutting effort and a shift in investments into AI.

Together with software engineers, the heaviest affected roles in Washington were product management (373 roles) and technical program management (218 roles), with business program management (55 roles), customer experience program management (44 roles) and product design (31 roles) also on the table.

Over 800 Microsoft software engineers laid off in Washington state

Despite the clear and ongoing need for software engineers in an increasingly software-defined world, it has become apparent that Microsoft deer appropriate to replace human workers with artificial intelligence. CEO Satya Nadella recently confirmed that AI now writes around one third of some projects' code, with the recent layoffs raising concerns about AI's effects on human workers and software developers.

More broadly, this is a trend that we are seeing from other tech companies including Salesforce and Workday. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai and Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg have also noted how much of their code is now written by AI.

However, Microsoft has been criticized for mixed messaging. The company stated that the recent layoffs were primarily designed to reduce inefficiencies in middle management by removing unnecessary layers, and while 17% of the Washington redundancies did relate to managers, the loss of hundreds of software engineers raises alarm bells.

Microsoft Principal Software Engineering Manager Mike Droettboom suggested in a LinkedIn post that Python and open-source remain important roles even though companies are enacting major shifts: "Looking around the room, I saw so many faces – some I have known for almost 25 years – coming together again with the same shared purpose, even as the company names on our badges change."

"My heart goes out to the majority of the team that was laid off," Droettboom added.

TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft for further transparency into the roles affected by its redundancies.

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• Amazon's rollout of Alexa+ lacks much public evidence
• Technical issues may be delaying a wider release
• Amazon claims Alexa+ is in use by hundreds of thousands of homes

Amazon unveiled Alexa+ with great fanfare more than six weeks ago, but there hasn't been much of a conversation among AI and voice assistant users about it since. My informal check of more than a dozen heavy Alexa users around the U.S. found none with access to it, and a report from Reuters suggests it's far from the explosive event Amazon hyped it up to be at the debut presentation.

Alexa+ is supposed to be Amazon's infusion of AI into the eleven-year-old voice assistant. Using generative AI as a glow-up tool makes Alexa smarter, more useful, better at conversation, and just more intuitive as an assistant. Alexa+ is supposed to give the voice assistant many new and enhanced abilities to carry out your requests, such as processing multiple prompts at once and adapting to personalize its services. For instance, it should remember your dietary preferences while helping you order food.

Invites for early access were meant to start going out in late March. Anecdotally, none have arrived, and a look around social media doesn't reveal any buzz either. Here at TechRadar, Alexa has, for weeks, been telling Editor at Large Lance Ulanoff that he's "on the early access list," but there's still no sign of Alexa+.

Even a Reddit post covered by TechRadar has since been removed from the website. Amazon begs to differ about that conclusion. The company is expressing confidence over the current and future release of Alexa+.

"Early Access to Alexa+ is ramping up. It’s already open to hundreds of thousands of customers, and we expect it to roll out to millions over the coming month," an Amazon spokesperson told TechRadar. "This is no different than other invite programs we’ve run – we scale as we learn."

Alexa+ plans

As Amazon insists there is no slow-walking of Alexa+, the reasons behind an apparent delay aren't official either. That said, the Reuters report cited possible technical issues around the speed and accuracy of the revamped Alexa, as well as higher-than-preferred costs to run the new models. There's a bit of déjà vu here since Amazon made a lot of noise around an AI-enhanced Alexa in the fall of 2023, with an early preview promised in the weeks ahead that never actually happened.

It's a far cry from the 2014 reveal of the original Amazon Echo, which started shipping just a few weeks after it appeared on a stage. Amazon might feel the stakes are too high to prioritize timing over performance this time. If Alexa+ fumbles at launch, it could undercut Amazon’s entire smart home strategy. Worse, it might reinforce the idea that Alexa is more of a talking timer than a true digital assistant.

Amazon also recently made it so Alexa interactions are processed only in the cloud, removing the option for local processing. This change may boost Alexa+’s brainpower, but it also raises privacy flags that may need to be dealt with before a wide release.

So, Alexa+ technically exists, and Amazon swears it’s being used. But you'll have to wait for a review of Alexa+ from someone's home. Until then, Alexa+ is more ghost than AI ghost in the machine.

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2024 was a banner year for Qualcomm at Computex, with the massive launch of its Snapdragon X Elite laptop processors putting it at the forefront of the event. In fact, Qualcomm’s keynote presentation last year was so impressive that I declared them the winners of the event, with guest stars from makes of many of the best laptops including Microsoft, HP, Dell, and Asus appearing alongside Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

During today’s keynote at Computex 2025, things were a little more subdued. No exciting chip announcements here; instead, Amon got up on stage and discussed the (admittedly quite good) progress Qualcomm has made with the Snapdragon platform over the past year. A key factor he pointed to was the rapid growth in apps supported on the Snapdragon X Elite platform, along with the now 1,400+ games that are playable on Snapdragon laptops.

CEO Cristiano Amon gave a slightly strange AI-powered Q&A during Qualcomm's keynote presentation. (Image credit: Future)

Much like last year, Amon showcased Qualcomm’s impressive pull in the Windows computing market despite only entering the CPU fight with Intel and AMD last year. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made a brief appearance in the presentation, along with executives from Asus and HP.

There were also some cheeky jabs at Intel and Apple (the latter regarding the fact that Fortnite is fully playable on Snapdragon hardware), plus the usual slew of corporate drivel about how AI is revolutionizing… something. Honestly, I kind of tuned out for a bit there, until Amon fired up a laptop live on stage which proceeded to ask him (presumably human-curated) questions about Qualcomm’s AI hardware in a synthy robot voice. Pretty cool, I guess, but what really caught my attention was a teaser at the very end of the keynote presentation.

What’s next for Snapdragon

So, while we got no new chips from Qualcomm at Computex, it looks like we now have a tacitly announced date for the next generation of Snapdragon X systems-on-a-chip (SoCs). It’s September 23: the date of Qualcomm’s own event, Snapdragon Summit, which will take place in Hawaii.

What exactly are we getting in September? Amon wouldn’t say, only that “the revolution continues” and “I promise you that you will be impressed”. Still, there are some pretty reasonable assumptions that I’m willing to make here.

Qualcomm's second-gen Snapdragon X chips were something I had hoped to see at Computex, but it seems we'll be waiting a while longer. (Image credit: Qualcomm)

While naming conventions are still a bit up in the air (since we’re only a single generation into Qualcomm’s Windows laptop chips), the current popular assumption is that the next-gen SoCs will use the ‘Snapdragon X2’ moniker, so I’ll just go with that here. I expect the initial launch to feature both X2 Elite and X2 Plus chips for the premium and midrange laptop markets, with broad integration across the majority of productivity laptop manufacturers; Dell’s XPS series, Asus’s Zenbooks, Lenovo’s Yoga line, the works.

A ‘basic’ Snapdragon X2 chip will likely follow a bit further down the line (similar to how the Snapdragon X chip was announced at CES in January this year), providing a more budget-conscious alternative. But I’m most interested in the rumored 2nd-gen Snapdragon X Elite chip for desktops…

A desktop revolution?

Will we get a non-integrated Snapdragon X2 Elite? I wouldn’t quite bet on that; so far, we’ve only seen Snapdragon chips in compact PCs from the likes of Lenovo. So don’t expect to see a third option beyond Intel and AMD when it comes to motherboards for DIY PCs - but do expect more mini PCs and systems like the best all-in-one computers.

It's mini PCs that arguably stand to gain the most from a proper desktop-focused Snapdragon chip. (Image credit: Geekom)

While ‘Team Q’ (still workshopping that name, I’m open to suggestions!) might be a relative newcomer to this particular industry arena, it’s made a serious impact. Cristiano Amon’s keynote included a somewhat surprising statistic: as of last quarter, Qualcomm now holds about 9% of the integrated processor market for the US and the top 5 European markets. Considering the fierce competition, it’s a seriously impressive showing.

Given how much Qualcomm changed the game with the arrival of its first X Elite chips last year, I think the use of the word ‘revolution’ might actually be somewhat justified here. I don’t say that lightly; it’s a phrase that I’m frequently annoyed to see used to describe extremely marginal changes. But with Qualcomm finally making Windows on Arm work with the Snapdragon X series, I’ve got high hopes for whatever Team Q does next.

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Sesame Street has a new address. When the iconic children's television program kicks off its 56th season later this year, it will be on Netflix, but, perhaps more importantly, it will also be on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the US.

The pair announced the exclusive deal with a brief and adorable video featuring Cookie Monster, who discovers and then eats the Netflix "N".

A decade ago, when HBO (yes, it was just called "HBO" back then) announced its historic deal with Sesame Street to bring the series to its premium cable programming, it also shifted the show's original home to second-tier status. All first-run episodes appeared first on HBO and then, nine months later, the same episodes would air on the freely available PBS.

Netflix's deal, however, fundamentally changes that equation. New season 56 episodes featuring Grover, Big Bird, Elmo, and the rest of the characters will air on Netflix and PBS at the same time.

Essentially, this is two levels of good news for the beloved show: One, Sesame Street, whose future was no longer certain, has a popular and well-funded new home; and two, all youngsters and homes engaged in the Sesame Street story, regardless of their access or financial status, will have full access to the season's show.

G is for Good News

Neither Netflix nor Sesame Street is revealing the terms of the deal, but without Netflix's support, it was unclear if Sesame Street would survive.

When I spoke to Sesame Street Execs a decade ago as they were inking the HBO deal, they revealed to me that viewers on PBS accounted for a small percentage of their funding.

"What people don’t understand is that PBS only funds less than 10% of production costs of show. The show was funded for many years by licensing income," said Jeff Dunn in 2015, who is now Executive Chairman at Sesame Workshop.

The key to people buying content and products revolving around the Sesame Street franchise and funding the non-profit Sesame Street Workshop, is a bigger audience devoted to its characters and themes. Netflix, which has roughly 310 million subscribers compared to Max's estimated 110 million, should help in that regard.

(Image credit: Netflix) Big changes

The season 56 Sesame Street Netflix subscribers (and those watching on PBS) will encounter later this year will be quite different from previous editions.

• Characters will be talking directly to viewers.
• Episodes will take viewers inside the apartment building where the characters live
• Elmo's World will return, and Cookie Monster will get a cookie cart
• Viewers will find more on-screen animations
• Longer story segments

Netflix has also committed to developing games for Sesame Street and Sesame Street Mecha Builders.

The streamer is planning to release Sesame Street Season 56's 35 episodes in three batches on Netflix. It will also add some 90 hours of classic episodes to the platform. As for how many episodes that represents, we'll leave that to The Count to figure out.

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• US generates 57% of global spam, VIPRE analysis of 1.45B emails shows
• Expanding US data centers make spam enforcement harder and threats worse
• Cybercriminals shift to simple, human-focused phishing using PDFs and SVGs

A new report has claimed the United States is now the largest source of spam emails in the world.

VIPRE’s Q1 2025 Email Threat Trends Report, the US was responsible for more than half (57%) of all spam sent worldwide during the first quarter of the 2025.

VIPRE analyzed 1.45 billion emails for its report, focusing on the geolocation of the origin IP address found in email headers, rather than on domain extensions like .com.

A problem that's going to get worse

While there is no single cause, the scale of data center infrastructure in the US makes it difficult to enforce spam regulations effectively and results in greater numbers of entry points for spam emails to spread.

With even more data centers being built across the US, this is a problem that’s only going to get worse in the coming years.

The report notes that of the spam analyzed, 67% was classified as malicious, linked to phishing or malware.

Callback phishing is rising fast, accounting for nearly one in five phishing attempts. Cybercriminals also appear to be opting for simpler, human-focused methods over more complex, technical ones.

SVG attachments were found to be climbing in popularity among attackers, coming in second place just behind PDFs, as they can be used to trick users into visiting malicious sites.

The manufacturing sector is the top target for email-based attacks, with retail and finance sharing second place.

VIPRE says the malware landscape has shifted recently, with the XRed backdoor-type malware family taking the top spot ahead of the second-most prominent malware family (Lumma) by a factor of three. StealC, AgentTesla, and Redline followed behind.

“There’s a clear shift in cybercriminals’ preference towards low-tech, high-impact, human-centric tactics. This demands a fundamental rethink of email security - one that addresses the human element as vigilantly as the technological,” said Usman Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, VIPRE Security Group.

“With cybercriminals mastering the art of human deception, and crafting phishing attacks that bypass conventional defenses, email security in turn demands an approach that weaponizes cybercriminals’ own actions and uses their patterns to create a unique, future-proofed response,” he added.

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• New users who sign up for the IPVanish Advanced plan can claim a free eSIM
• The free eSIM includes 3GB of data and covers 200 destinations
• The eSIM comes with IPVanish's VPN features, like threat protection and cloud storage

IPVanish has announced the launch of a new eSIM offering 3GB of free data to first-time customers who sign up for its Advanced 1-year or 2-year plans.

The eSIM covers 200 countries and will provide instant connectivity when abroad. The eSIM comes bundled with IPVanish's core VPN features like threat protection, secure browser, and cloud storage.

This limited-time promotion is designed to provide secure, unrestricted internet access for travelers while also showcasing the full range of premium VPN features of the Advanced plan.

Is the eSIM market the next big move for VPN providers?

IPVanish has become the third major VPN service to launch its own eSIM. Previously, we have covered similar moves by NordVPN with Saily and ExpressVPN with holiday.com.

This growing trend signals that VPN providers are expanding their focus beyond just secure browsing—a comprehensive digital solution for travelers seems to be the approach.

When we spoke with the CEO of Saily, we discussed how eSIMs come with enhanced security features to protect users from the risks of connecting to public Wi-Fi networks abroad.

Subbu Sthanu, Chief Commercial Officer at IPVanish said, “Today’s travelers need more than just convenience—they need secure, uninterrupted connectivity wherever they go. By bundling a free eSIM with our VPN, we’re giving our customers a complete traveler’s toolkit to stay safe and connected on the move."

With this new eSIM, IPVanish users can travel worry-free, benefiting from features like threat protection, secure cloud storage, and advanced privacy tools.

“Whether you’re navigating unfamiliar networks or working remotely abroad, we believe digital freedom should never come at the cost of personal security,” he added.

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• HP has introduced the OmniBook 5 Series, using Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors
• Both the OmniBook 5 14 and OmniBook 5 16, feature OLED displays
• They're both expected to be available in July

Computex 2025 is well underway, which means there's plenty of new tech ranging from new desktop PC hardware to portable devices – and we have a new lineup for the latter which is intent on improving productivity.

HP has announced its new OmniBook 5 Series, with the OmniBook 5 14-inch and the OmniBook 5 16-inch laptops providing significant leaps in processing power (using Snapdragon X Plus and X chips) and visual quality; most importantly, HP claims its new series has 'the world's longest battery life in a consumer AI PC notebook'.

As per HP's blog, each laptop will feature up to 34 hours of battery life, which should ensure consumers get the most out of their activities. When running low on battery, you'll be able to get right back up to speed with HP Fast Charge, which charges you up to 50% in just 30 minutes.

These impressive claims may not come as a surprise, since Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors are ideal for battery efficiency, providing exceptional performance that rivals some of Apple's M-based chips while ensuring battery life is at its best.

It's also worth noting that both laptops will have OLED displays, capable of providing excellent picture quality thanks to deep black levels stemming from a high contrast ratio. This will be ideal for video content, including creative tasks that require great color accuracy – and this is further supported with a 95.3 DCI-P3 color gamut and 0.2ms response time.

Perhaps the biggest highlight here, beyond power and capabilities, is the pricing. The HP OmniBook 14 is anticipated to launch in July, starting at $799 via HP's online store. Its counterpart, the HP OmniBook 16, is also expected to launch in July, starting at $849 – and both of these are affordable prices, considering the benefits available here.

(Image credit: HP) OLED is all I ever need...

At those sensible asking prices, OLED laptops that have great battery life and performance are all I need – and that's why I think this new OmniBook 5 Series is worth keeping an eye on.

Despite the concerns of burn-in and text fringing (which have been improved with next-gen OLED displays), using an OLED display has single-handedly uplifted my enjoyment while gaming and watching movies. And if you're lucky like me, you won't actually notice text fringing when working.

In my Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x review, I highlighted how it's one of the best OLED displays I've ever seen; I won't be surprised if I end up saying the same about HP's new OmniBook Series.

With the claims of battery life that rival other Snapdragon laptops, it's a no-brainer starting at $749 – and the Snapdragon X Plus (8-core version) features 45 NPU TOPS for AI applications and tasks.

We'll have to wait for real-world performance results, but stick around and check out our Computex 2025 live blog to keep an eye out for more details.

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• Multiple researchers came up with a new method of location sharing
• The method keeps user privacy while sharing relevant data
• It could have big implications across industries

Researchers have come up with a new method to “prove” where you’re located, without actually having to share sensitive location data.

If adopted, the method could have major implications for businesses such as ride-sharing or delivery, smart cities and public transport, or digital advertising and marketing.

The paper, presented recently at the 2025 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, was drafted by authors Jens Ernstberger (Technical University of Munich), Chengru Zhang (University of Hong Kong), Luca Ciprian (Technical University of Munich), Philipp Jovanovic (University College London), and Sebastian Steinhorst (Technical University of Munich). It is called “Zero-Knowledge Location Privacy via Accurate Floating-Point SNARKs”.

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How it works and what are the downsides?

Simplified, it works like this: instead of revealing their exact location (as is the case today), the user creates a cryptographic commitment (essentially, the data is locked behind a crypto key). The data cannot be changed, but also cannot be viewed by third parties.

Then, the device runs a zero-knowledge proof algorithm, proving that the data locked behind the crypto key is accurate. Ultimately, the verifier (which can be an app, or a server) checks the zero-knowledge proof, and because of the cryptographic properties, they can confidently confirm the location meets the condition without ever seeing the exact coordinates.

The method’s key limitation is that it doesn’t inherently guarantee the authenticity of the location data. Since the system relies on the device, or user, to provide the location data in the first place, it can still be spoofed (if the GPS data is fake, for example).

In the paper, the researchers proposed a solution for verifying that a location proof isn’t forged, which involves network communication with a third party (for example, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals). In that case, data on where the device says it is located would no longer be non-interactive.

Via The Register

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The theme for Huawei’s global data storage product line’s flagship event, the Innovative Data Infrastructure (IDI) Forum 2025, was “Data Awakening, AI Rising”.

Xie Liming, Vice President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, pulled the curtains on Huawei’s new flagship, the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage, the ideal choice for enterprises' mission-critical services.

What you need to know

Businesses are rapidly embracing AI globally for their mission-critical applications and need an AI-ready data infrastructure that is both scalable and can rapidly deliver ROI to drive what we call Intelligent transformation.

Artificial intelligence alters this data into something more important for any business: an intangible asset.

Proprietary data is at the heart of this AI revolution and requires AI-ready data storage: legacy, conventional storage technologies are just not good enough.

Huawei has identified three major focuses of primary storage in the AI era:

• Converged cloud-native capabilities: Enterprise-class block, file, and object services are provided to reduce business complexity and total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Intrinsic resilience: Ransomware protection is integrated into production storage to enable early detection and rapid response against ransomware attacks, minimizing data loss and downtime while accelerating service recovery.
• AI agents: Self-optimized AI agents greatly improve efficiency and user experience.

The direction of travel of the entire tech industry is towards all flash storage, a no-compromise, best-in-class media technology based.

Huawei has developed a bespoke, industry-leading hardware stack with its own DPU (data processing units), NICs (network interface cards), large capacity SSDs (solid state drives) and controllers.

Meet the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage

The converged and resilient all-flash storage with AI agents brings mission-critical applications into the AI era. This New-Gen storage has three features:

• Converged: This new product is the first within the industry to integrate block/file/object parallel architecture in order to reduce complexity and total cost of ownership. A unified, multi-protocol resource pool cuts the TCO by 25%, and performance is improved by 20% thanks to multi-protocol parallel IO paths.

• Resilient: The product delivers 99.99999% single-system reliability thanks to its SmartMatrix full-mesh architecture and supports active-active solutions for SAN, NAS, and S3, ensuring zero data loss. It provides business continuity even if seven out of eight controller enclosures are faulty. The system provides built-in ransomware protection for both blocks and files with 99.99% ransomware detection accuracy.
• AI Agent: The industry's first storage with AI agents boosts management efficiency and streamlines operations. For example, the ransomware protection AI agent can deploy the solution in just 1 minute and prevent ransomware attacks with no latency.

Moreover, the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage offers seamless upgrades across controllers or entire clusters with zero data migration or service interruption thanks to the FlashEver guarantee.

But it is the first step of a journey. Integrating data storage, data management, resource management and the AI toolchain, Huawei’s just-released AI Data Lake solution aims to deliver a high-quality AI corpus and speed up model training and inference.

The aim is to empower enterprises to embrace AI, the next logical step to digital transformation.

Huawei is one of a handful of players worldwide that can deliver the full AI stack: inference and training, across hardware, software and services. Having a one-stop-shop approach allows businesses to increase efficiency by reducing friction that’s inherent when dealing with many parties.

• Find out more about the game-changing New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage offering from Huawei.

• Rumor suggests new FX2 Cinema Line camera incoming with 33MP full-frame sensor
• Large, tilting EVF and 32-bit float audio recording toted as features
• $3,500 price tag and May 28 launch date suggested

Last week we reported on a rumor claiming Sony would be launching a new camera on May 28. We may now know what that camera is: a premium, full-frame video-centric mirrorless model called the Sony FX2 – and it might be coming with advanced cinema-focused features like 32-bit float audio recording.

Of course, this all comes courtesy of another unconfirmed rumor, albeit from the relatively reliable Canon Rumors news site. Still, please take everything below as speculation rather than fact; until we hear the official word from Sony, nothing is definite.

With that said, Canon Rumors’ story is packed with interesting information. Firstly, it states that the FX2 will have a large tilting electronic viewfinder (EVF), which ties in with last week’s claim from Sony Alpha Rumors. It also says that the camera will use the same 33MP BSI full-frame sensor as found on Sony’s existing A7 IV and A7C II models.

Is a new type of viewfinder set to be unveiled with the launching of Sony's next mirrorless camera? (Image credit: Sony) Floating some interesting new feature ideas...

Other potential Sony FX2 specifications and features include a dedicated AI chip, AI-assisted autofocus, a mechanical shutter (by no means a given in a video-focused camera these days), an active cooling system to reduce overheating issues, 32-bit float audio – which would be a first for Sony, albeit present in recent Lumix cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH7 – and a 4K 60fps Super 35 video recording mode.

The story also says the FX2 will feature the same physical connectivity and storage options as the current Sony FX3 model (which means it’ll have XLR audio inputs as well as two CFexpress Type A/ SD card slots).

The Sony FX3 is a powerful filmmaker-focussed camera – but the FX2 could be even better. (Image credit: Sony)

As for the price, Canon Rumors states that the FX2 will cost $3,500 (around £2,670 or AU$5,430 if directly converted), putting this camera very much in premium territory in the Sony FX line-up, which also includes the FX3, FX30 and FX6.

There's some confusion among Sony fans, though, surrounding the 33MP sensor being touted for the FX2. It is a high resolution sensor typically associated with Sony's hybrid cameras and not its video focused FX models like the FX3, which typically feature less pixels for better low light performance and handling of rolling shutter distortion.

That sensor feels like a strange choice for Sony's FX Cinema Line but, again, the aformentioned features are based purely on rumors and could be inaccurate. Stay tuned for more news on Sony’s upcoming camera launch, which multiple sources have said will be happening on May 28 2025.

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• Meta's $10 billion Louisiana datacenter could require 2,300MW of energy
• That power will come from three gas-fired power plants
• Questions have been raised about Meta's net-zero commitment

Meta's plans to build a four-million-square-foot AI datacenter have come and fire over the potential greenhouse gas emission implications relating to its power source.

The company's $10 billion site in Richland Parish, Louisiana, could require up to 2,300MW of energy coming from three new gas-fired power plants.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter, published online, to the company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, demanding transparency about energy use and emissions.

Meta's gas-powered datacenter has been criticized by a US Senator

Whitehouse criticized for social media giant's strategy as being contradictory to its own climate pledges, which revolve around meeting net zero emissions by the end of the decade. The Senator specifically questioned the lack of details on Meta's carbon capture contributions and renewable energy offsets.

"I am concerned by reports that Meta plans to power a data center in northeastern Louisiana with new and unabated natural gas generation," Whitehouse wrote. "Neither Entergy nor Meta have disclosed details about the carbon capture project or the amount of Meta’s financial contribution, raising doubt as to whether Meta is meaningfully offsetting its emissions."

The Senator demanded five separate pieces of information from the company, noting a deadline of May 28, 2025: detailed energy consumption and emission estimates for the datacenter; justification for choosing gas over other energy sources such as renewables, nuclear or geothermal; financial details and the impact of Meta's carbon capture investments; an explanation for not installing carbon capture at the new plants; and data showing how these actions align with the 2030 net zero goal.

A Meta spokesperson told The Verge: "We believe a diverse set of energy solutions are necessary to power our AI ambitions – and we continue to explore innovative technology solutions." TechRadar Pro has asked the company for a response.

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• A spate of cast rumors concerning Marvel's X-Men movie reboot have emerged online
• Various leakers claim four big names have been tapped to play a trio of iconic mutants
• Fans are being advised to take the aforementioned speculation with a big pinch of salt

Marvel's X-Men movie reboot is still a few years away. But, after numerous rumors appeared online last week (May 16-21) linking various big-name actors with roles in said film, the latest round of silly season casting is absolutely upon us.

The comic giant's iconic mutants are set to play some part in the Multiverse Saga's next two Avengers movies. Indeed, with legacy characters including Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Ian McKellen's Magneto among Avengers: Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast, actors who appeared in 20th Century Fox's now-defunct X-Men franchise will return for one last hurrah before they pass the torch onto the next generation.

Despite the fact that Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars won't land in theaters until May 2026 and May 2027, Marvel is already scouring the globe (according to industry insiders, anyway) for A-listers to portray the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The first – and certainly the most eyebrow-raising – piece of gossip that's appeared online comes from prominent leaker MyTimeToShineHello (MTTSH). According to the industry insider, whose recent track record can be described as 'mixed' at best, none other than Daniel Day-Lewis was being eyed to succeed McKellen and fellow Magneto actor Michael Fassbender as the metal-manipulating mutant.

Daniel Day-Lewis retired almost eight years ago (Image credit: Variety)

As big a coup as it would be for Marvel to persuade Day-Lewis to join the MCU, this particular piece of speculation feels like unlikely, to say the least.

The award-winning actor announced his retirement from acting over seven years ago and, apart from appearing in Anemone, an upcoming drama directed by his son Ronan, Day-Lewis hasn't starred in another big- or small-screen project since 2017's Phantom Thread. It seems improbable, then, that he'd be coaxed out of retirement in what would likely to be a multi-picture MCU deal.

Day-Lewis isn't the only fan-favorite actor who's been linked with a significant role as part of the MCU's new X-Men line-up.

Bryan Cranston – yes, he of Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle fame, to name just two of his most notable roles – is said to be in the running to potentially star opposite Day-Lewis as the MCU's Charles Xavier.

Again, this seems like an unusual fit for an actor whose best roles have seen him embody morally complex characters. In that sense, playing an X-Men adjacent individual/antagonist, such as Mister Sinister – a role Cranston has previously spoken about wanting to tackle (per Digital Spy) a decade ago – would be a better fit.

Bryan Cranston was last seen playing a supporting role in an Apple TV+ Original called The Studio (Image credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Stringer)

Then there's speculation about who'll play Ororo Munroe, otherwise known as the iconic weather-manipulating mutant called Storm. Per MainMiddleMan, Marvel has approached Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Sandman) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Star Wars: The Acolyte) to play her.

Now, it would be remiss of me not to say that all of the above should be taken with a massive pinch of salt. For one, another industry leaker – Apocalyptic Horseman – has said they haven't even heard that a cast shortlist has been drawn up by Marvel.

Regardless of how accurate Apocalyptic Horseman's sources may be, remember the unrelenting rumor mill about who'd play The Fantastic Four, aka Marvel's First Family, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and beyond in the MCU? Everyone from Adam Driver and Penn Badgley with linked with playing Reed Richards, while the likes of Margot Robbie and Jodie Comer were supposedly tapped to portray Sue Storm.

Howell-Baptiste and Turner-Smith have been linked with playing Storm in the MCU (Image credit: River Callaway/Dimitrios Kambouris)

In the end, such hearsay proved to be nothing more than idle gossip. So, just because Day-Lewis and company have been tentatively linked with roles in the MCU, it doesn't mean they'll actually sign on to appear in films once the Multiverse Saga ends at some point during or after Marvel Phase 6.

If Marvel is aiming for a middle ground between the elder acting statespeople who appeared in the first X-Men trilogy and their younger counterparts who starred in Fox's own X-Men reboot, Howell-Baptiste or Turner-Smith would be good fits for a mid-30s Munroe. Where Cranston and Day-Lewis are concerned, though, I'd be amazed if they ink deals to play Professor X and Magneto.

We'll have to wait and see if any of these rumors have substance to them. The one thing that's absolutely certain, though, is these won't be the last X-Men casting rumors we read about. It's going to be a long and at times frustrating period of speculation, so strap in for plenty more outlandish rumors in the weeks, months, and even years to come, everyone. In the meantime, find out how to watch the X-Men movies in order and how to watch the Marvel movies in order.

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Netflix latest thriller is a binge-worthy treat that has got viewers talking and critics raving.

The show in question, Danish drama Secrets We Keep – or Reservatet in its native tongue – has rocketed up the Netflix charts since its release on May 15 and is currently third in the streamer’s top 10, making it well on its way to becoming one of the best Netflix shows.

But it's not just audiences who can’t get enough of the new thriller, with critics giving it such strong reviews that it's sitting at a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Drawing favorable comparisons to the platform’s numerous Harlan Coben adaptations, Secrets We Keep follows the fallout of the disappearance of a young au pair in an affluent Copenhagen suburb.

Suspecting her neighbours of foul play, business exec and mother Cecile (Marie Bach Hansen) undertakes her own investigation, soon discovering that numerous members of her upper-class friend group may have had a part to play in the events.

Proving that themes around class and social norms are global concepts, Secrets We Keep delves into societal divides and the, well, secrets that bubble just below the surface of the seemingly perfect lives of the wealthy suburban set. The show also draws on similar themes as recent Netflix sensation Adolescence as it touches on internet-fueled misogyny and the 'manosphere' culture among teenage boys.

While not as harrowing as Stephen Graham’s show, Secrets We Keep – which you can watch the trailer for below – is a gripping binge-watch, particularly for fans of Coben’s brand of suburban darkness.

What are the critics saying about Secrets We Keep?

With the show currently enjoying a perfect score over on Rotten Tomatoes, it's safe to say critics are loving Netflix’s Danish drama, with our friends over on Tom’s Guide calling it “one of the best binge-watches of 2025 so far.”

Collider’s review compares the thriller to two of the biggest shows of the year, even excelling them in some areas, saying: “Secrets We Keep explores similar thematic territory to this year's most zeitgeisty hits Adolescence and The White Lotus, and in some ways handles its dark material even better,” while critic Pramit Chatterjee calls it “essential viewing for all.”

(Image credit: Netflix) What's the subscriber's verdict?

Viewers, however, aren’t quite as universal in their praise, with RT’s Audience Score sitting at a respectable but unremarkable 76%.

One Reddit user criticised the show’s relatively short runtime, saying “This series felt like it needed 2-3 more episodes to flesh out the characters and storyline a little more” while another found the story predictable, saying “I had the whole plot pretty much figured out by the second episode.” A third user didn’t pull any punches with their verdict: “This show is bad, like so bad.”

Comment from r/netflix

However, others have praised the drama as “thought provoking” and “nuanced”, with one user saying they “binged it and loved it,” while another commented: “I have just watched the whole season, it was very good.”

With Secrets We Keep looking like the next must watch Netflix show, you can head over to one of the best streaming services and add the Danish drama to your watchlist right now.

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• Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 licenses for nonprofits are no longer free
• 300 free licenses for Microsoft 365 Business Basic are on offer
• Other subscriptions could see discounts of up to 75%

Microsoft has confirmed it will be ending free Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 licenses for nonprofit organizations in what it's calling an effort to "streamline [its] grant offerings and simplify [its] grant portfolio."

In place of the deprecated scheme, the tech giant will offer a certain number of free licenses along with a hefty discount on other plans, including M365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1.

Those unwilling to benefit from the discount and begin paying a subscription fee will lose access to some of the features they may have become accustomed to with their free licenses.

Nonprofits will no longer receive some free Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

The company confirms that it will replace the scheme with one that enables nonprofits to receive up to 300 licenses for Microsoft 365 Business Basic. Eligible users will also be able to pick up discounts of to 75% on other subscriptions, including Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1.

If a nonprofit is small enough to be able to use the free 300 licenses for Business Basic, they will still lose access to desktop versions of the office apps and other features like Intune, therefore, they will be required to pay to reinstate those features.

Despite the hefty discount, some nonprofits may face unexpected costs, especially for features they must now pay for. Being that the nature of nonprofits is that finances can be limited, the company has been criticized over its short notice period.

Redmond added: "Our goal in Tech for Social Impact (TSI) is to ensure nonprofits can benefit from the industry leading solutions that are critical to ensuring the highest level of organizational security and productivity."

It's unclear what sort of cost savings the company hopes to realize from this readjustment or how many nonprofits will be affected.

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In the AI era, data has become both the engine and the fuel driving business decisions, innovation, and competitive advantage. As enterprises seek to future-proof their operations, understanding the taxonomy of data—and how artificial intelligence is altering its availability, quality, and value—has never been more essential. From public and proprietary datasets to synthetic and behavioral data, each data type brings distinct advantages and limitations. As AI tools evolve, so too does the calculus around which types of data offer the most insight, agility, and scalability for businesses.

As a media ecologist and long-time observer of the intersection between technology, leadership, and human decision-making, I’ve spent decades helping leaders recognize how the environments around information shift faster than the information itself. We are in one of those pivotal moments now, as machine learning and generative AI fundamentally alter what data is, how it’s gathered, and what it means to business.

The new data ecosystem

Data is often lumped into monolithic categories, but a more nuanced breakdown reveals the subtle, critical distinctions in how various types of data are sourced and utilized

Public data is information freely available to all, typically from government agencies, academic institutions, and open-source projects. It includes census data, environmental reports, public financial filings, and regulatory databases. While often high in volume, public data is historically underutilized due to access complexity, outdated formats, or lack of contextual integration. AI is changing that. New machine learning models can now ingest, translate, and contextualize public data at scale, turning previously overlooked datasets into dynamic decision tools.

Private or first-party data is proprietary data collected directly by organizations from their customers, platforms, or internal operations. It is often considered the gold standard for personalization and business intelligence because of its specificity and direct relevance. However, the value of private data is increasingly constrained by privacy regulations (like the General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act) and the diminishing efficacy of third-party cookies. AI is helping organizations wring more value from their own data by improving predictive analytics, segmentation, and real-time decision-making without overstepping regulatory boundaries.

Third-party data—aggregated by external providers and sold to businesses—once served as a supplement to internal insights. But in today’s environment of rising privacy concerns and reduced browser tracking capabilities, third-party data is losing favor. What’s replacing it? Synthetic data. Synthetic data is artificially generated data that mirrors the statistical properties of real datasets without exposing actual individuals or sensitive information. It’s created using AI techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs) or advanced simulations. As privacy expectations rise and access to granular behavioral data declines, synthetic data offers a high-potential solution.

Businesses can train AI models on synthetic datasets without risking compliance violations. The technology is still maturing, but its trajectory is clear: synthetic data will become foundational to AI development and testing environments.

Behavioral data, derived from user activity across platforms and devices, is immensely valuable for understanding patterns, preferences, and predictive outcomes. With AI, behavioral data can be mined in real time for insights that were previously invisible. However, its use is increasingly constrained by consent frameworks and platform-level data walls.

The accelerant: AI’s impact on data utility

Artificial intelligence doesn’t just use data—it transforms it. Natural language processing, computer vision, and deep learning allow businesses to convert unstructured data (emails, videos, audio, social posts) into structured formats that are actionable. More importantly, AI turns passive data into predictive intelligence.

Three areas where AI is redefining the value of data:

• Accessibility and cleanliness: AI scrubbing and enrichment tools reduce the time and cost of preparing raw data for analysis. What once took data scientists weeks can now be achieved in hours.
• Speed to insight: AI accelerates not just data analysis, but the translation of data into business decisions. Intelligent dashboards powered by real-time data streams enable adaptive strategy, especially in volatile markets.
• Compliance and security: AI-driven governance systems can automate compliance protocols, flag anomalies, and anonymize sensitive data, mitigating risk while maximizing utility.

Which data types will win in the AI era?

Looking ahead, three data types stand to gain significantly in value due to their alignment with AI capabilities:

-Synthetic data, for its scalability and ethical advantage in training models.

-First-party data, for its accuracy and regulatory safety.

-Public data, for its abundance and now, thanks to AI, its accessibility.

An additional development supercharging the value of first-party data is the rise of secure data clean rooms. These environments enable multiple organizations to combine and analyze their proprietary data sets without exposing personally identifiable information or breaching privacy protocols. Clean rooms empower brands, publishers, and platforms to collaborate on shared insights—fueling more precise targeting, attribution, and customer understanding—while remaining compliant. When paired with AI-driven modeling, these shared data environments unlock powerful network effects that elevate the utility of first-party data far beyond what any single organization could achieve on its own.

Meanwhile, legacy third-party datasets and contextless behavioral tracking will continue to decline in utility unless combined with advanced AI layering.

Why this matters for tech leaders

CIOs, CMOs, and data strategy officers should be reevaluating their entire data infrastructure—not just to keep up with compliance mandates, but to fully capitalize on what AI can unlock. The competitive edge will increasingly belong to those who invest in flexible, multi-source data ecosystems and align them with agile AI systems capable of transforming insight into immediate action.

As we reimagine the role of data in the enterprise, one thing is clear: in the age of intelligent systems, your data is only as valuable as your ability to make meaning from it—at scale, and at speed.

I welcome the opportunity to further this dialogue with technology decision-makers and data leaders. We are entering an age where the combination of human intuition and machine intelligence isn’t just a competitive differentiator—it’s a survival imperative.

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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 Trump administration wanted to block data brokers from selling info on US citizens
• The plan has now been abandoned
• Data brokerage is a multibillion-dollar industry

The plan to prevent data brokers from selling personal and financial information generated from American citizens has been scrapped.

In the US, data brokers can harvest and sell sensitive information on the country’s citizens, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, browsing history data, purchase history, location data, and more. Usual buyers include advertisers and marketers, financial institutions, recruiters, government organizations, and insurance companies.

In late 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced plans to adjust the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a federal law that regulates how consumer credit information is collected, used, and shared. It was supposed to treat data brokers the same as any other company, which should have forced them to comply with the law’s privacy rules.

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Protecting the citizens

However, that rule was withdrawn recently, TechCrunch reported, citing a new listing in the Federal Register. Apparently, the CFPB’s acting director, Russell Vought, wrote that the rule is “not aligned with the Bureau’s current interpretation” of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The CFPB wanted to prevent data brokers from selling data on US citizens citing privacy risks, discrimination, lack of transparency, and regulatory gaps. Allegedly, the goal was to protect consumers from harmful or unfair use of their personal information. TechCrunch says that last year the FTC banned “several data brokers” from collecting and sharing data without the permission of the individuals.

It is also worth mentioning that data is the fuel for most cyberattacks these days. Sensitive data is essential in phishing and spear-phishing attacks, identity theft, and can often be useful in brute-forcing passwords. That’s why the data brokerage industry is often the target itself.

In the last couple of years, there were multiple high-profile cyberattacks against data brokerage and housing organizations, including the 2023 23andMe attack, the 2024 National Public data breach, and the 2024 Snowflake incident.

Via TechCrunch

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