Clearpool Debuts on Avalanche with Fintech Firm’s First Credit Vault Launch

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Clearpool Debuts on Avalanche with Fintech Firm’s First Credit Vault Launch
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Clearpool Debuts on Avalanche with Fintech Firm's First Credit Vault Launch

Clearpool, a leading on-chain credit marketplace, is thrilled to announce its expansion to Avalanche with an exclusive launch of its new real-world asset (RWA)-backed product, Credit Vaults. 

While Clearpool’s permissionless pools brought private credit yield to DeFi, especially for trading firms and market makers as borrowers, Credit Vaults cater to the influx of new on-chain borrowers, including fintech and payment companies, through stable rates and stickier liquidity.

With Credit Vaults, Clearpool empowers borrowers to set their terms, such as interest rates and repayment frequencies. Credit Vaults also enable higher lending APYs via 100% utilization, increasing lending volume and protocol revenue and making interest rates for lenders more efficient.

“Avalanche is the ideal platform to support the launch of Clearpool’s Credit Vaults,” said Morgan Krupetsky, Senior Director of BD for Institutions and Capital Markets at Ava Labs. “The collaboration with Clearpool showcases a mutual commitment to developing innovative digital financial products and a shared focus on bringing tokenized assets and greater utility into the Avalanche ecosystem.”

Bringing Short-term & Liquid Fintech Pools to DeFi

Banxa, a publicly listed (TSX.V: BNXA, OTCQX: BNXAF) global infrastructure provider enabling embedded crypto in the payments space, has joined forces with Clearpool to launch the inaugural Credit Vault. The Credit Vault will enable Banxa to start by borrowing up to USDT 5 million, with lenders benefiting from the flexibility of a seven-day repayment window and additional rewards paid in the AVAX token.

Typically, investing in receivable financing opportunities involves medium to long-term lockups for lenders, particularly in activities such as trade financing or invoice financing. While this time horizon aligns with the traditional credit world, there is a growing preference among DeFi users for more liquid alternatives. Unlike competing on-chain fintech lending pools, Credit Vault lenders can request fund withdrawals within as little as seven days. 

Institutional Adoption Accelerating on Clearpool

The launch of Credit Vaults is a significant milestone in the RWA space, providing the most liquid and short-term fintech pools in the market. The institutional adoption of crypto and DeFi is rapidly gaining momentum and seeing increased demand for on-chain credit. With over 20 institutions already having borrowed on the platform, including Wall Street giant Jane Street, Clearpool is at the forefront of this trend.

Banxa’s recent entry to on-chain borrowing further emphasizes the growing interest in Clearpool’s product offerings, with several institutions in the pipeline set to follow. Clearpool’s mission is to bridge the gap between the traditional private credit market (currently $1.5 trillion and expected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2027, according to Morgan Stanley) and the decentralized lending ecosystem. 

“Launching Credit Vaults on Avalanche marks a major milestone for Clearpool and the RWA sector as we pioneer migrating credit on-chain. Working with prominent players such as the listed fintech, Banxa, and experienced credit fund, Cauris, validates the enormous potential of Credit Vaults to revolutionize the RWA DeFi space and drive institutional adoption,” said Jakob Kronbichler, CEO & Co-founder of Clearpool.

Leading Embedded Crypto Provider Pioneers Credit Vaults

Founded in 2014 and publicly listed (TSX.V: BNXA, OTCQX: BNXAF), Banxa is the trusted partner of choice for businesses seeking to take ownership of their crypto journey. It helps businesses integrate crypto and fiat payments for global audiences with lower fees and higher conversion rates through an extensive network of global and local payment solutions and regulatory licenses. With immense year-on-year growth and ~AUD$3.4 billion in transactions, Banxa is the leading global infrastructure provider enabling embedded crypto.

“Clearpool’s Credit Vaults offer us the flexibility to meet our liquidity requirements, allowing us to set our own terms and attract a wider range of lenders. With their seamless and efficient on-chain credit solution, we are excited to develop our relationship with Clearpool as our demand for working capital continues to grow with rapidly rising transaction volumes,” said Holger Arians, Chairman & CEO of Banxa.

Cauris, an investment firm specializing in private credit for financial technology companies, has structured, will manage, and is the servicer for the Credit Vault. Specifically, they have implemented security measures, including direct control over designated bank accounts for fund flow and critical covenants, to ensure the integrity of the system.

Clearpool’s launch of Credit Vaults on Avalanche signals a paradigm shift in on-chain RWAs. Clearpool is at the forefront of this shift, ushering in a new era of institutional borrower profiles in DeFi.

About Clearpool

Clearpool is the leading decentralized finance credit marketplace. A permissionless protocol enables institutions to raise unsecured liquidity directly from DeFi markets, while a separate fully permissioned platform, Clearpool Prime, further meets the compliance needs for wholesale borrowing and lending of digital assets by institutional market participants. Liquidity providers on Clearpool earn attractive yields, with pool interest rates enhanced by additional rewards paid in CPOOL — the protocol’s utility and governance token. Clearpool LP tokens, called cpTokens, are the building blocks for a system of tokenized credit and on-chain risk management.

Launched in March 2022, Clearpool has originated over US$480 million in loans with a growing user base spanning both crypto and TradFi institutions such as Wintermute, Jane Street, Fasanara Digital, CoinShares, and others. The protocol launched on the Ethereum mainnet in March 2022, followed by the expansion to Polygon PoS in July 2022, Polygon zkEVM in July 2023, Optimism in October 2023, and Mantle Network in February 2024.

About Avalanche

Avalanche is a smart contracts platform that scales infinitely and regularly finalizes transactions in less than one second. Its novel consensus protocol, Subnet infrastructure, and HyperSDK toolkit enable Web3 developers to easily launch powerful, custom blockchain solutions. Build anything you want, any way you want, on the eco-friendly blockchain designed for Web3 devs.

About Banxa

Banxa (TSX.V: BNXA, OTCQX: BNXAF) is the leading infrastructure provider for enabling embedded crypto – empowering businesses to take control of their crypto journey. Through an extensive and growing network of global and local payment solutions and regulatory licenses, Banxa helps businesses provide seamless integration of crypto and fiat for global audiences with lower fees and higher conversion rates. Headquartered in the USA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, the Banxa team is building for a world where global commerce is run on digital assets.


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Samsung to stick with Exynos & Snapdragon chips for Galaxy S25

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Samsung to stick with Exynos & Snapdragon chips for Galaxy S25
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Samsung may stick to its usual dual-chip strategy for the Galaxy S25 series. While there have been rumors that the 2025 flagships might go all-Exynos, a new report suggests the company isn’t yet ready to ditch Snapdragon. The next-gen Galaxy S models will be available in both chip flavors.

Galaxy S25 to use Exynos and Snapdragion chips

Samsung has long used Exynos and Snapdragon chips in its flagship smartphones. It ships the phones with the former in most global markets, but the US, China, and a few other regions have always got the latter. The trend changed for good in 2023 when the Galaxy S23 series shipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally. Everyone well received this move because Exynos versions have historically underperformed.

However, Exynos returned to the Galaxy S24 this year, albeit only to the smaller two models. The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 globally. Despite all the improvements from Samsung, the Galaxy S24’s Exynos 2400 struggles to go neck-on-neck with the latest Snapdragon. Ideally, fans would want the company to go back to an all-Snapdragon strategy for the Galaxy S25 series next year. But it has other plans.

The Korean behemoth is working on specialized Exynos chips for its flagships that match or potentially surpass competing Snapdragon solutions in performance. It has formed a separate team to optimize the chips for its phones from the development stage. Industry insiders suggest the first-gen solution will debut in 2025. This gave birth to rumors that the Galaxy S25 phones could ship with this custom Exynos chip globally.

However, according to DigiTimes, this may not happen. Samsung still plans to use Snapdragon chips in its 2025 flagships. Details are scarce but the Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in all markets. The other two models will get the Exynos 2500 in some regions. We shall find out in due course whether it will be the rumored “special” Exynos chip from Samsung or the standard one.

Exynos may come to Samsung’s foldables this year

You may want Samsung to stop using Exynos chips in its flagship phones but the opposite may happen. The company wants to increase the share of its in-house processors in Galaxy devices and that may see it equip the Galaxy Z Flip 6 with an Exynos chip this year. A couple of tipsters have hinted at it. If true, it would be the first Samsung foldable to not use a Snapdragon processor. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 launch in July.


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Microsoft faces scrutiny after separating Teams and Office

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Microsoft faces scrutiny after separating Teams and Office
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Following the European Commission antitrust investigation, Microsoft started unbundling Teams from Microsoft Office and 365 suites. Teams have been a part of Microsoft 365 since 2017, and its separation will cause the separate selling of the Teams video and chat app in all countries.

Microsoft Teams was initially included in the Microsoft 365 package along with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and other applications. Its integration replaced Skype for Business and gained significant popularity during the pandemic. However, its inclusion in subscription packages drew scrutiny for potential anti-competitive practices.

Packages gave Microsoft Office and Teams an unfair advantage

The origin of the scrutiny traces back to when the rivals, especially Salesforce-owned Slack, deemed the packaging of products together an anti-competitive act. They added that it gave Microsoft an unfair advantage. The European Commission has been investigating the merger of Microsoft Office and Teams since 2020. And, to avert the possible fine, Microsoft started separating Teams from Office back in October 2023.

Microsoft proactively reacted to the European competition scrutiny by saying, “We will continue to cooperate with the Commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns”.

“To ensure clarity for our customers, we are extending the steps we took last year to unbundle Microsoft Teams from 365 and 365 in the European Economic Area and Switzerland to customers globally. Doing so also addresses feedback from the European Commission by providing multinational companies more flexibility when they want to standardize their purchasing across geographies,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Reuters.

However, sources have told Reuters that the unbundling alone will not suffice antitrust charges, as the rivals might even criticize the level of the charges.

Impact of change on Microsoft

Several analysts have said that Microsoft’s separation of Teams from Office may not have a significant impact. Meanwhile, a few companies might indeed consider shifting to rivals like Slack or Google Chat. Moreover, Sensor Tower Data quoted that even after the unbundling started in October 2023, the majority of the user count has remained unchanged.

For fresh customers, Microsoft is planning to price Teams alone at $5.25 per user per month. Meanwhile, Office packages without Teams will be charged from $7.75 to $54.75, depending on the package features per user per month. Figures might vary from country to country.


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Newest Android 14 QPR beta brings the new HQ mode to the Pixel USB webcam

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Newest Android 14 QPR beta brings the new HQ mode to the Pixel USB webcam
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Google added a handy webcam feature to Pixel phones earlier this year with Android 14 QPR1. As great as it was, though, the image quality wasn’t exactly blowing anyone away. Last month, it was discovered that Google was mitigating this by adding an HQ option to the webcam and that it was already working on Android 15 Developer Preview 2. Thankfully, this has now also been spotted on Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1, which just began rolling out yesterday.
Found by the eagle-eyed Mishaal Rahman, this new mode promises to give your Pixel’s webcam the glow-up it deserves. A little “HQ” button now sits in the top corner, ready to transform your video quality. One tap and your Pixel webcam will prioritize clarity over battery life, and this time it will tell you exactly what it is doing via a popup.

New Pixel webcam HQ mode with power and heat warning

Through this popup, engaging High Quality Mode on your Pixel will issue a warning that it disables power optimizations, thus using up more power and possibly heat up your device. Of course, HQ mode will gobble up more battery than usual, so you might not want it on all the time. But for important stuff, like streaming? Rahman says the quality boost can be seriously impressive.

Got a Pixel and want to try this out? If you are willing to wait a little longer, you might not need to jump on the beta. You will most likely be able to give this a try in an upcoming feature drop or when Android 15 makes its public debut later this year.

Google’s clearly committed to making Pixel’s webcam feature more than just a gimmick, and High Quality Mode could be a sign of good things to come. This is huge for anyone who wants better video without shelling out for a fancy webcam. Your trusty Pixel may be all you need.


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Google to Delete Billions of User’s Personal Data

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Google to Delete Billions of User’s Personal Data
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Google has agreed to delete billions of data records that reflect the private browsing activities of users.

This decision comes as part of a settlement for a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of improperly tracking users’ web-browsing habits who believed they were browsing the internet privately using Chrome’s ‘Incognito’ mode.

Settlement of the ‘Incognito’ Lawsuit

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, alleged that Google misrepresented the kind of data it collects from users who browsed the internet via ‘Incognito’ mode in Chrome.

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Google agreed to settle the suit late last year, and the settlement terms were disclosed in a filing on Monday.

As part of the settlement, Google must delete “billions of data records” that reflect the private browsing activities of users in the class action suit.

In addition to data deletion, Google will update its disclosure to inform users about the data it collects each time a user initiates a private browsing session.

Google has already started implementing these changes.

As part of the settlement, Google will also let private browsing users block third-party cookies for the next five years.

The data deletion is a key milestone in Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative, which aims to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome by the second half of 2024, subject to addressing any remaining competition concerns from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. 

The initiative includes the introduction of Tracking Protection, a new feature that limits cross-site tracking by default restricting website access to third-party cookies.

Impact on User Privacy

The settlement and the Privacy Sandbox initiative represent significant steps towards enhancing user privacy on the web.

Google’s commitment to deleting extensive data and limiting tracking cookies showcases a shift towards a more privacy-conscious browsing experience.

The changes are vital to ensure that Google remains in cooperation with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Future of Web Browsing

As Google continues to work on making the web more private, it also provides businesses with tools to succeed online.

The goal is to ensure that high-quality content remains freely accessible while creating a more private web than ever. 

The regulatory environment keeps changing, but Google’s proactive steps to prioritize privacy in company culture and product design are positioning the company for what lies ahead.

Google’s decision to delete billions of users’ data marks a significant development in digital privacy.

With the implementation of the Privacy Sandbox and Tracking Protection, Google is setting a new standard for privacy on the web, balancing innovation with robust data privacy protections.

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Swalwell for Congress Campaign Partners with Wolfsbane.ai to Protect Against AI Generated Cloning

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Swalwell for Congress Campaign Partners with Wolfsbane.ai to Protect Against AI Generated Cloning
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Los Angeles, United States, April 2nd, 2024, Cyberwire

Today, Congressman Eric Swalwell, CA-14, announced that he has partnered with Wolfsbane.ai to help prevent his 2024 election campaign content from being used to create AI clones and deepfakes. Wolfsbane.ai will use its patent-pending technology to encode Rep. Swalwell’s campaign videos and audio with a countermeasure that makes it difficult to create AI clones with that content.

Rep. Swalwell is the first political figure to use Wolfsbane.ai and take an active step to ensure that his campaign content is not used to create clones and fakes that can be used for misinformation. “Ensuring the integrity of our democratic process is of paramount importance,” said Swalwell. “Embracing cutting-edge tools such as Wolfsbane.ai to prevent deepfakes is not just an option; it’s a necessity in safeguarding elections against fraud and misinformation.”

Rep. Swalwell is ranking member of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Congressional Subcommittee where he has stressed the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes in spreading election misinformation. Rep. Swalwell is not merely talking about preventing deepfakes, he is taking active steps to ensure that his own voice and likeness are protected using the latest technology advancements. “AI is a potent technology,” said Swalwell. “If used irresponsibly, it can hijack the likeness and voice of public figures to undermine their credibility and spread disinformation. Wolfsbane.ai will mitigate the risks of this happening to me.”

One of the advancements in the fight against AI deepfakes is Wolfsbane.ai. Wolfsbane.ai is a recently launched service offered by Play Cubed: A company founded by content protection pioneers Randy Saaf and Octavio Herrera as well as Fazri Zubair and Noah Edelman. Wolfsbane.ai allows customers to protect their content, voice, IP and identity from unauthorized AI cloning and deepfakes. Before publishing any content, Wolfsbane.ai customers can use a simple interface to upload and quickly process it; once done that content is protected by the Wolfsbane countermeasure and the user can publish their content with peace-of-mind. Wolfsbane.ai’s patent-pending encoding technology offers a robust defense, designed to effectively combat a wide spectrum of AI cloning tools.

Wolfsbane.ai is being used by music artists, entertainment companies, content creators, and individuals but the company is very focused on working with campaigns as well as government officials. “We are proud to be working with Rep. Swalwell’s campaign” said Play Cubed CEO Randy Saaf. “We think our technology can be an effective tool in the fight against AI fakes during this important election year.”

About Swalwell for Congress:

Elected in 2012 to Congress, representing the East Bay in Northern California, Eric Swalwell served eight years on the House Intelligence Committee where he was the chairman and ranking member overseeing the CIA. On the Intelligence Committee, Eric helped lead the House Investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, and later, the first and second impeachments of Donald Trump. As a member of the House Democrats’ leadership team, Eric was on the House Floor on January 6. A week after the attack, Eric was appointed as a House Impeachment Manager for the former president’s Senate trial.

Eric currently serves on the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. He is also Chairman Emeritus and founder of Future Forum, a group of young Democratic members focused on issues and opportunities for millennial Americans. Eric is also founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Critical Materials Caucus, and Personalized Medicine Caucus. Every day Eric strives to make sure if you work hard it adds up to doing better for yourself and dreaming bigger for your family.  

About Play Cubed/Wolfsbane.ai

Play Cubed provides AI Content Protection services via its patent-pending technology Wolfsbane.ai. Play Cubed is founded by Randy Saaf, Octavio Herrera, Fazri Zubair, and Noah Edelman. Our team has been together for over 8 years, with Randy and Octavio having worked together for over 20 years. Randy and Octavio are proven entrepreneurs with two successful exits valuing nearly $400M. Randy and Octavio are content protection pioneers, having co-founded P2P anti-piracy provider MediaDefender in 2000. MediaDefender was used by every major music label and movie studio and was acquired by ARTISTDirect in 2005. The Play Cubed team also has a successful history of developing enabling technologies used by top companies such as Major League Baseball, NBA, CBS, ESPN, Mattel, Universal Music, Sony Music, Lionsgate, and many more.

Contact

Cofounder
Octavio Herrera
Play Cubed
[email protected]


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Google Pixel 9 design gets shown in a video format

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Google Pixel 9 design gets shown in a video format
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The Google Pixel 9 surfaced in CAD-based renders not long ago. Those renders basically revealed the phone’s design. Well, a new video has surfaced on YouTube, and it’s showing the Pixel 9 design as well.

The upcoming vanilla Pixel 9 appears in a new video, showing us its design a bit more

The design of the phone in this video is based on CAD renders, in case you were wondering. Therefore, the design is probably spot on. Do note that this is the cheapest Pixel 9 phone that is coming and the smallest.

Based on the CAD renders we’ve seen thus far, we’ll get three Pixel 9 series smartphones this year. One vanilla model with two rear cameras, and two flagship models with three cameras on the back.

As already mentioned, the device you can see in the video below the article is the entry-level model. You can see its pill-shaped camera island on the back, with two cameras included inside it. An LED flash also sits there.

Its camera island does protrude on the back quite a bit

That camera island does protrude on the back quite a bit, it seems. The sides of the phone are flat all around, but they do come with slightly rounded edges. All the physical buttons sit on the right-hand side.

The bezels around the display of this phone won’t be thick, but they certainly won’t be the thinnest around either. A centered display camera hole will sit on the display too.

Now, the designer showed us the phone in a number of colors here, but those are just a part of his imagination. The Pixel 9 will likely arrive in several color options, but we still don’t know what they are.

This smartphone is said to include a 6.03-inch display and measures around 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm (12mm with the camera bump). The phone will likely be made out of metal and glass.


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Microsoft Copilot: Here’s how to unleash your inner Picasso and create stunning AI-generated images

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Microsoft Copilot: Here’s how to unleash your inner Picasso and create stunning AI-generated images
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Not long ago, having an AI to do your bidding seemed like something taken from a Science Fiction novel. But with the release of ChatGPT, everything changed significantly.

Now, you can have whole conversations with AI. It can even help you in your work or school, offering various suggestions. Of course, it’s still advisable to take its recommendations with a pinch of salt. But when used properly, AI can be an extremely useful tool. The best thing is that you can hold the power of AI in the palm of your hand. All you need is to install Microsoft’s free Copilot app on your trusted iPhone or Android smartphone. Copilot is also available on the web through Bing.

Designed to be ‘your everyday AI companion,’ the app utilizes ChatGPT and can do things like help you find new cooking recipes, design exercise programs, and ‘create any image you can imagine.’ Yep! You can even let your inner Picasso loose with the power of AI. But how can you do that? Well, let’s see!

How to create images in Copilot

To create images in Copilot, you need to open the Copilot app and enable ChatGPT 4. This ensures you’ll use the more advanced GPT-4 model for free instead of paying $20 a month.

After that, you need to go to the Designer tab, and then just give in to your imagination and type everything that comes to your mind in the text area. When you’re finished, simply send the message and let Copilot, with the assistance of DALL-E — an AI system for image creation — turn your words into a beautiful picture. 

To show you how it works, we instructed Copilot to generate an image of a black cat in a dark forest looking at the sky, which is full of stars. The result is below.

You should be as descriptive as possible. But even if you are not, you can always add more context and let Copilot generate a new image based on your new input. The application also lists a few suggestions if you wish to add more objects to your image. In the example below, we used one of its suggestions and told it to add a crescent moon.

When the generated image finally represents the picture in your head — or at least is as close as possible — you can tap on it and then share it by copying its URL or add it to your Microsoft account’s Collections. If you tap the three-dot button, you’ll also see an option to download the image to your device.

We should note that while Copilot’s image creation functionality is truly impressive, sometimes it won’t return the result you expect to see, especially if it’s on a topic that it doesn’t have a lot of information on. So, keep this in mind while unleashing your inner painter.

What you can’t do with Copilot’s image generation

If you are a parent, you’ll be happy to learn that Copilot cannot be used for generating explicit content. The moment you ask it to create such an image, the app answers that it’s unable to assist. You’ll also see a prompt saying it’s time to move on to a new topic, encouraging you to start over. So, even children can use Copilot’s image generation functionality.

Another free option for creating images

Microsoft’s Copilot is awesome, but it’s not the only service that lets you create beautiful images. We also find Adobe Firefly to be a great tool for unleashing your creativity with the help of AI.

Similar to Copilot, Adobe Firefly provides a text area where you can describe what you want to be generated. However, unlike Copilot, Firefly is not a chatbot, so you can’t hold a conversation with it. You simply write your prompt, and it generates an image. Additionally, Adobe Firefly is a web application, so you can access it only via a browser.

A gallery of well-crafted images

Here we are, at the end of this lovely article. And what better way to end it than with a fine selection of gorgeous Copilot-generated images!


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Hundreds of Indians Rescued from Cambodian Cybercrime Gangs

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Hundreds of Indians Rescued from Cambodian Cybercrime Gangs
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Hundreds of Indians Rescued from Cambodian Cybercrime Gangs
Image credit: Hackread.com

Indian authorities rescue hundreds trafficked for cybercrime in Cambodia. Victims lured by false jobs, forced to work in scams. Read for details and the global fight against human trafficking for cybercrime.

Indian authorities have successfully rescued hundreds of citizens who were lured to Cambodia with false promises of legitimate jobs, only to be forced into working for cybercrime gangs. This news comes after a period of growing concern about human trafficking targeting Indian nationals in Southeast Asia.

The details of the rescue operation remain undisclosed, but a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the success. The MEA spokesperson, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, acknowledged that the ministry, along with the Indian embassy in Cambodia, had previously issued warnings regarding such dangers. However, Jaiswal added that many Indian nationals unfortunately remain trapped in the Southeast Asian country.

Lured by False Promises

The rescued individuals were reportedly tricked into travelling to Cambodia under the false pretence of high-paying jobs. Once there, their passports were confiscated, and they were forced to work long hours conducting cybercrime activities for the gangs. These activities likely involved scams like telecom fraud, where victims are tricked into revealing personal information or sending money.

Global Problem, Regional Focus

This incident shows the growing problem of human trafficking for cybercrime purposes. In December 2023, a global law enforcement operation codenamed “Storm Makers II” led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals suspected of human trafficking, cybercrime, and other offences. The operation revealed cases involving victims from various countries, including Malaysia, Uganda, and India.

The operation spanned numerous cyber scams, including the case of 40 Malaysians who were enticed to travel to Peru with promises of lucrative employment, as well as several individuals recruited for jobs in Dubai, only to be redirected to Thailand and Myanmar.

It’s also important to mention that last month’s INTERPOL Financial Fraud report highlighted human trafficking as a significant contributor to worldwide cybercrime. The organization pointed to the harmful deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies as a key reason for the increase.

The Indian government’s efforts to rescue its citizens highlight the regional nature of this issue. Cambodia, along with other Southeast Asian nations, has become a hotspot for cybercrime activity due to factors like lax regulations and unprotected borders.

What Lies Ahead?

While the successful rescue is a positive development, the Indian government faces the challenge of repatriating the remaining trapped individuals. Additionally, raising awareness about such scams and improving international cooperation to tackle human trafficking networks are necessary steps to prevent future incidents.

  1. Interpol Arrests 3,500 in Major Cyber Crime Bust
  2. EMPACT Hackathon Targets Online Human Traffickers
  3. AI Generated Fake Obituary Websites Target Grieving Users
  4. Utilizing Programmatic Advertising to Locate Abducted Children
  5. Anonymous Breaches Thai Senate Site against Human Trafficking

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1.3 Million Customers Data Leaked

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1.3 Million Customers Data Leaked
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PandaBuy, a popular online shopping platform, has been the victim of a significant data breach.

This breach has resulted in the leak of personal information belonging to more than 1.3 million customers.

The incident has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity practices and consumer data protection in the digital age.

The breach was first brought to light by members of the BreachForums, an infamous cybercrime forum.

Two threat actors, known by pseudonyms ‘Sanggiero’ and ‘IntelBroker,’ claimed responsibility for the hack.

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They alleged that they exploited several critical vulnerabilities in PandaBuy’s platform and API to gain unauthorized access to the company’s database.

The leaked data is extensive and includes sensitive personal information such as User IDs, first and last names, phone numbers, email addresses, login IPs, order details, home addresses, zip codes, and countries of residence.

According to the announcement on BreachForums, the dataset comprises over 3 million rows of data, indicating the scale and severity of the breach.

Evidence and Confirmation

To substantiate their claims, Sanggiero published a sample of the stolen data on the cybercrime forum and offered it for sale.

stolen data on the cybercrime forum and offered it for sale
stolen data on the cybercrime forum and offered it for sale

@Sanggiero and @IntelBroker breached the website.” reads the announcement published by BreachForums.

This action has confirmed the breach and exposed the affected customers to potential further cybercrimes, including identity theft and phishing attacks.

Troy Hunt, the founder of Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), tweeted that a website that allows internet users to check whether data breaches have compromised their personal information confirmed the validity of 1.3 million email addresses from the leaked dataset.

Hunt has since added these addresses to HIBP, enabling individuals to check if the breach impacted them.

PandaBuy’s Response and Controversy

PandaBuy has not officially acknowledged the security breach.

Troy Hunt confirmed allegations that the company might be attempting to downplay or hide the incident.

Speaking on a Discord channel, a company representative claimed that the security breach occurred in the past and insisted that no data breach had occurred this year.

This statement has done little to assuage the concerns of PandaBuy customers and cybersecurity experts.

This incident is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cyberattacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.

Companies, especially those handling vast amounts of consumer data, must prioritize the security of their platforms to protect against such breaches.

For consumers, the breach underscores the need for vigilance and the adoption of best practices for digital security, such as using strong, unique passwords and being cautious of phishing attempts.

Stay updated on Cybersecurity news, Whitepapers, and Infographics. Follow us on LinkedIn & Twitter.


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