Hacks, Headsets, and High Profits: A Quick Tech Recap

23rd July 2025

Chinese state-linked hackers exploited Microsoft SharePoint vulnerabilities, breaching over 100 servers, including U.S. nuclear and education agencies . Amazon isacquiring AI wearable startup Bee, aiming to expand into voice-controlled personal tech. BlackRock has restricted employees from using company devices or networks while traveling in China due to data security concerns. OpenAI’s UK branch saw a major financial boost, reporting £56 million in assets and a £4.1 million profit following ChatGPT’s success. The company is also expanding its London office and deepening ties with the UK government on AI integration in public services. All in today’s Read it and Eat !

Major Headlines

U.S. Nuclear Agency Caught in Microsoft SharePoint Hack; Chinese Groups Suspected

Microsoft has flagged a serious cybersecurity breach involving its SharePoint software, one that’s now believed to have impacted a growing number of institutions worldwide, including the U.S. agency tasked with managing nuclear weapons. The company says Chinese state-backed hackers are among those exploiting vulnerabilities in self-hosted versions of SharePoint, which allow organizations to manage their own servers instead of using Microsoft’s cloud-based services.

In a blog post, Microsoft identified two Chinese government-linked groups Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon as actively exploiting the flaws. Another China-based group, known as Storm-2603, was also cited. These exploits have reportedly led to breaches across a range of organizations, from consulting firms and universities to national governments and energy companies. According to someone familiar with the situation, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration was among the high-profile targets. Bloomberg also reported similar breaches at the Department of Education, Florida’s Department of Revenue, and the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Although Microsoft has since released patches to fix the vulnerabilities, cybersecurity experts say the damage is already evident. More than 100 compromised servers and 60 confirmed victims have been identified so far, and analysts expect that number to grow. CrowdStrike’s Adam Meyers noted that early evidence suggested the attacks were state-sponsored and aligned with China-based operations. Investigations are still ongoing.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington, however, strongly denied any involvement, warning against what it called “unfounded speculation and accusations.” Meanwhile, U.S. officials say there’s no indication that classified data was accessed during the breach at the National Nuclear Security Administration, though other parts of the Energy Department were also affected. Agencies and governments around the world are now rushing to assess their exposure and shore up defenses, while Microsoft continues to investigate how widely the vulnerabilities were used. Bloomberg 

Amazon Bets on AI Wearables with Acquisition of Bee

Amazon is making a move into AI wearables with the acquisition of Bee, a startup that’s developed a voice-recording assistant designed to capture and organize your everyday conversations. The deal, first revealed by Bee co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo on LinkedIn, has been confirmed by Amazon  although it hasn't officially closed yet.

Bee offers a standalone $49.99 bracelet and an Apple Watch app, both powered by a $19/month subscription. These devices passively listen (unless muted) and aim to help users keep track of their to-dos and reminders by capturing spoken information in real-time. According to Bee, the long-term vision is a "cloud phone"  essentially a wearable interface to your digital life that can manage notifications, messages, and events without reaching for your phone.

Amazon’s interest in Bee signals a broader ambition to expand beyond its current smart home products like Echo. With other tech players like Meta, OpenAI, and Apple exploring AI-powered hardware, Amazon seems poised to compete in this growing space. Bee’s relatively low price point could also make it more appealing to mainstream users compared to higher-cost devices like the $499 Humane AI Pin.

Of course, privacy is a key concern with always-on devices. Bee says recordings aren’t stored or used to train AI, and users can delete their data or set up boundaries to limit what the device captures. Still, it remains to be seen how those policies might evolve under Amazon, which has previously faced criticism over how it handled user data with products like Ring. Bloomberg 

BlackRock Tightens Device Use Rules for China Travel

BlackRock is taking extra precautions when it comes to staff traveling to China. According to an internal memo reported by Bloomberg, the asset management giant has told employees to leave their company devices behind when making business trips to the country. Instead, staff are expected to use temporary “loaner” phones, and company-issued laptops, iPhones, or iPads are off-limits.

The move extends beyond just hardware. Employees won’t be able to access BlackRock’s internal systems or use VPNs while in China — even if they’re traveling for personal reasons. While Reuters couldn’t independently verify the memo, a source familiar with the situation said these measures aren’t entirely new, suggesting the policy has been in place for some time.

This cautious approach comes as concerns grow around data access and government oversight during visits to China. Just this week, the U.S. State Department said a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office staffer was barred from leaving China while there on personal travel. Similarly, a Wells Fargo banker was recently prevented from leaving the country due to an alleged criminal case, according to Chinese officials.

BlackRock’s stricter travel rules underscore a broader trend: international firms are increasingly reevaluating how to protect sensitive data in regions where regulatory environments are unpredictable or rapidly changing. Reuters 

OpenAI’s UK Revenue Soars Following ChatGPT Boom

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has seen its UK earnings surge since the AI tool’s launch, according to newly filed accounts. The UK arm of the U.S.-based tech firm ended 2024 with current assets of £56.2 million a dramatic leap from just £1.1 million the previous year. Most of that boost came from £42.4 million held in the bank and £13.7 million owed by debtors, highlighting strong commercial traction in the region.

Despite the growth, the company’s liabilities also climbed significantly, reaching £42.2 million  much of which (£39.8 million) is inter-company debt unlikely to be repaid to the U.S. parent. Still, OpenAI’s UK operation turned a healthy profit of £4.1 million for the year, a stark contrast to the £1.2 million loss it reported previously. Shareholders' funds also jumped to £6.2 million, underlining the scale of the financial turnaround.

Alongside the financial gains, OpenAI has been scaling its UK presence. The number of employees rose from 19 to 55 during the year, with current headcount reportedly around 100. The expansion follows OpenAI’s recent agreement with the UK government to support AI integration across public services  including education, defence, and the justice system potentially giving the firm access to sensitive government data. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described AI as "fundamental" to the UK's future economic growth.

OpenAI also announced plans to grow its London office, though it hasn’t yet confirmed how many new jobs this will create. Meanwhile, in May, the company walked back plans to become a for-profit business, opting instead to stay under the governance of a non-profit board, a move that followed internal leadership tensions and public scrutiny over its direction. CityAM 

 Minor Headlines 

• Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner Debuts in California: First Look at the Retro Drive-In Experience. CBNC 

• Trump to Unveil Executive Orders at AI Summit, Says White House. Financial Times 

• Trump-Era Tax Cuts Projected to Add $3.4 Trillion to U.S. Deficit Over the Next Decade. Yahoo.Finance 

• Taiwan Trade Officials Visit Washington for Tariff and Trade Talks. Financial Times 

• Amazon Closes AI Research Lab in Shanghai. Financial Times 

• Kohl’s Becomes Latest Target in Meme Stock Frenzy. CBNC 

• Shawbrook Eyes £2 Billion London IPO. CityAM 

• UK Imposes Sanctions on People Smugglers in Migrant Crackdown. CityAM 

Gen Z Word of the Day 

Drip

Another way of saying swag, drip is a term for a cool or sexy trend/style.