Russian Hackers, Tik Tok Under Fire, & ChatGPT
Jan 31, 2023
Read about Russia's latest attack on the Latvian Ministry of Defense, Tik Tok CEO to be interrogated by the House, and ChatGPT a tool against plagiarism and cheating on tests.
1. Russian Hackers Try To Phish Latvian Ministry of Defense
Latvian officials are claiming that a malicious spear phishing scheme targeting personnel from the Latvian Ministry of Defense was launched by Russian attackers. Workers from CERT-LV (the Latvian Computer Emergency Readiness Team) believe the attack was performed by nation-state adversaries, due to the 30% increase in attacks from Russia since the start of the war on Ukraine, as well as the accompanying meme of a Russian bear holding down a paw on the country's flag.
2. House Energy and Commerce Committee On Concerns For The App's Security and Ties to China
The date for the hearing will take place on March 23, 2023 and it is reported to be Shou Zi Chew's first appearance before a congressional panel. Along with issues dealing with security (vague policies, user privacy, foreign interference, etc.), the hearing will also likely take into account the app's effects on mental health and the safety of minors. While addressing these concerns will be no easy feat to overcome, Tik Tok spokespeople are quoted stating that they hope to finally "set the record straight" when it comes to the app.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/30/tiktok-ceo-to-testify-before-house-panel-in-march.html
3. ChatGPT Releases AI Detection Tool To Catch Cheating Students
ChatGPT, the makers of supervised artificial learning (no pun intended), introduced their new tool for teachers to catch students cheating on homework or exams. It is called the AI Text Classifier; launched by developers from OpenAI, in order to detect plagiarism and other AI-written text tools. The AI Text Classifier comes as a response to concerns raised from teachers after millions of high-school and college students started using ChatGPT to assist with their school work. Students would regularly use the app to answer take-home questions or complete their assignments, leading to a paranoid ban of the app in schools across LA, New York City, and Seattle. While a few bugs still exist, OpenAI states that the new edition of the AI Text Classifier will serve as a countermeasure to cheating and help educators enforce integrity in the classroom.