France Cybersecurity Agency, ANSSI, has issued a stark warning regarding the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, cautioning that the event’s IT infrastructure will face relentless cyber attacks, potentially including sophisticated ransomware variants.
ANSSI disclosed that French government security teams have been diligently preparing for two years to counter such threats. Despite these efforts, there remains uncertainty about their ability to fend off highly advanced ransomware attacks.
The Paris Olympics are scheduled to commence on July 26th and conclude in mid-August, during which organizers, athletes, spectators, and media are expected to encounter unprecedented cyber threats of significant severity.
Amidst suspicions, Russia is reportedly a primary source of these anticipated cyber assaults. This suspicion stems partly from its restricted participation in the 2024 Olympics due to geopolitical tensions, notably its ongoing conflict with Ukraine over the past two years.
To bolster their defenses, ANSSI is leveraging AI technology through its cyber defense division, COMCYBER, linked to the Ministry of Defense. This unit not only aims to thwart incoming attacks but also proactively safeguards the event’s infrastructure against diverse cyber threats until its conclusion.
In other news, Brazil has imposed restrictions on Meta’s use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), citing concerns over user privacy and data usage in the company’s evolving privacy policies. The Brazilian National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) issued a directive prohibiting Meta from utilizing Gen AI technology with immediate effect.
This regulatory action follows heightened scrutiny after Reuters initially reported on the ban, emphasizing ANPD’s stance on protecting fundamental user rights. Effective July 19, 2024, Brazil has warned of daily fines amounting to approximately $9,000 if Meta fails to comply with the ban.
Meta responded promptly, asserting its commitment to adhere to Brazilian laws while expressing concerns that such restrictions could stifle innovation and hinder AI development, potentially impacting the country’s future technological landscape.
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