Big Moves & Big Risks: Deep dive into the Buzzing Tech and Business World.

26th June 2025

Experts warn of rising infostealer threats after billions of credentials leaked. Meta won an AI copyright case, but future lawsuits remain possible. Shell denied reports of a BP takeover. Totally Wicked was sold to a Chinese investor after record profits.

The Rise of Infostealers: Experts Warn of a Growing Cyber Threat

Cybersecurity experts are raising red flags about a growing threat: infostealers is a type of malware designed to quietly steal sensitive data like usernames, passwords, credit card details, and browser history. This warning follows the discovery of datasets containing a staggering 16 billion exposed credentials, linked to major platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook. While not all the information is fresh or unique, the scale is enough to show just how much personal data is now circulating online and just how common these breaches have become.

Volodymyr Diachenko, a cybersecurity researcher, uncovered the exposed data, which he believes is tied to multiple cybercriminal groups using similar malware. These infostealers typically make their way onto users’ devices through phishing emails, fake software downloads, or even online ads. Once installed, they quietly extract valuable information often to be sold on underground markets. Because of their ease of use and wide availability, experts now refer to infostealers as a kind of modern "cyber plague."

The rise of infostealer attacks has been swift. In fact, Microsoft reported that a single campaign earlier this year affected nearly 1 million devices globally. Cybercrime-as-a-Service platforms have made it easier than ever for anyone to purchase the tools needed to launch these attacks lowering the barrier to entry for would-be hackers. And the consequences go far beyond leaked passwords; stolen credentials can be used to launch more targeted scams, impersonate users, or even blackmail individuals and businesses.

To stay protected, experts recommend taking a proactive approach. That includes regularly updating passwords, avoiding suspicious downloads, and using multi-factor authentication whenever possible. For organizations, adopting a “zero trust” security model which verifies both user and device activity is becoming essential. Law enforcement is also stepping in: Europol, for example, recently worked with Microsoft to take down the “Lumma” infostealer network. But as the threat grows more sophisticated, staying vigilant is more important than ever. CBNC 

Meta Scores Legal Win in AI Copyright Case — But the Debate Isn’t Over

Meta has come out on top in a closely watched copyright lawsuit involving its AI model Llama, but the judge made it clear: this ruling is narrow and doesn’t close the door on future challenges. Thirteen authors, including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, had sued the tech giant, claiming Meta used their books without permission to train its large language model. However, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria sided with Meta, saying its use of the material fell under the "fair use" umbrella of U.S. copyright law.

While acknowledging that copying copyrighted works without permission is typically illegal, the judge said the authors failed to prove that Meta’s actions caused significant harm to the book market. In his words, their arguments were “half-hearted” and didn’t clearly show that Meta’s AI training posed a financial threat. Meta’s defense that it used the works for a “transformative” purpose held up in this case, though the judge openly questioned some of the company’s broader claims, especially the idea that requiring companies to pay for copyrighted training data would hurt innovation. “This is nonsense,” Chhabria wrote.

Importantly, this ruling applies only to the 13 authors involved; it's not a sweeping victory that shields Meta from similar lawsuits in the future. The judge explicitly stated that other writers might have stronger cases and could still bring them forward. “This does not stand for the proposition that Meta’s use of copyrighted materials is lawful,” he added, emphasizing that the issue is far from settled in the courts.

There’s more legal drama ahead, too. The authors still have a pending claim accusing Meta of illegally distributing their works through torrenting. Meanwhile, another judge recently ruled that Anthropic’s use of books to train its AI model, Claude, was also “transformative” under fair use but that company still faces trial over allegedly downloading millions of pirated books. Bottom line: the conversation around AI, copyright, and fair use is just getting started. Reuters 

Shell Shuts Down Rumors of BP Takeover Talks

Shell is setting the record straight after media reports claimed it was exploring a takeover of fellow oil giant BP. On Thursday, the company firmly denied the speculation, saying it has not made any approach or held talks with BP about a possible acquisition. The denial follows a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed sources who suggested the two companies were in early-stage discussions.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Shell emphasized that it hasn’t been actively considering a bid for BP, reiterating its focus on simplifying its own operations. While rumors of a potential takeover have swirled for some time, Shell has consistently pushed back.

Some market analysts have floated the idea that BP might be an appealing target, especially after the company’s pivot away from its renewable energy strategy earlier this year, a move that’s left its stock trading at a discount relative to peers. Add to that BP’s lingering reputation issues from the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, and it’s easy to see why takeover talk surfaces now and then.

But for now, Shell says there’s nothing to see here. The company remains focused on its own strategy, and any merger chatter, at least on its end, is firmly off the table. Finance.Yahoo

Totally Wicked Sold to Chinese Investor After Record-Breaking Year

Vaping retailer Totally Wicked, a long-standing family business based in Lancashire, has been acquired by Chinese-backed Wittyace UK Holding. The buyer, controlled by Chinese national Ying Wang and ultimately owned via a Hong Kong holding company, now holds at least 75% of shares, according to Companies House records. While the financial details of the deal haven’t been disclosed, it comes on the heels of a standout year for the business.

Totally Wicked posted a record pre-tax profit of £8.1 million for the year ending March 2024 more than double the £3.3 million from the previous year. Revenue also hit an all-time high of £118.1 million, continuing a sharp upward trend. The sale follows growing scrutiny of the vaping industry, with the UK government planning to ban single-use disposable vapes starting in June 2025.

Despite the change in ownership, the company has assured stakeholders that it’s business as usual. CEO Marcus Saxton will remain at the helm, and the core management team is staying in place. However, some leadership changes have been made, with director Fraser Cropper brother of founder Jason Cropper and several others stepping down.

In a statement, Totally Wicked called the investment a “major step” in supporting expansion in the UK and Germany. The company said it’s excited about this new chapter, emphasizing that the deal reflects strong confidence in its business model and future growth potential. CityAM 

Minor Headlines 

• Nvidia Shares Soar to New High Amid Bold AI Growth Forecast. TechCrunch 

• Balfour Beatty Lands $1.14 Billion Deal to Build New Gas Power Plant in the U.S. Reuters 

• King Charles Set to Welcome Donald Trump for Second UK State Visit This Year. CityAM 

• Meta Hires Three OpenAI Researchers. WSJ

• Nestlé USA Plans to Drop Synthetic Food Dyes by Mid-2026. Reuters

• Worldline Stock Rebounds Slightly After Steep 38% Drop. Finance.Yahoo 

• EU Leaders Weigh Fast-Tracking U.S. Trade Deal or Holding Out for Better Terms. Finance.Yahoo 

• Reddit Says Human Touch Will Be Its Edge in the Age of AI. Financial Times 

Gen Z Word of the Day 

Salty

Gen Z uses this term when they're feeling jealous.