July 2015

The cybersecurity firm Hacking Team appears to have itself been the victim of a hack, with documents that purport to show it sold software to repressive regimes being posted to the company’s own Twitter feed. The Italy-based company offers security services to law enforcement and national security organisations. It offers legal offensive security services, using malware and vulnerabilities to gain access to target’s networks. According to the documents, 400GB of which have been published, Hacking Team has also been working with numerous repressive governments -- something it has previously explicitly denied doing. It has not been possible to independently verify the veracity of the documents.

The perpetrators of the apparent hack used the company’s own official Twitter feed (renamed to “Hacked Team”) to communicate. They continued to post to the feed for hours after, highlighting specific documents they claim come from the hack, such as e-mails, invoices, and even screenshots of Hacking Team employee’s computers, until the company regained control on July 6 and removed the posts. One such tweet, which has since been removed, purports to show Hacking Team negotiating with a third-party reseller to export its malware to Nigeria. If the sale took place, it may have bypassed Italian export controls. Another is claimed to show the company debating what to do after an independent investigation from the University of Toronto attacked it for selling hacking tools to Ethiopia, which then used it to target journalists in the US and elsewhere. The company has never publicly confirmed nor denied working with Ethopia, and in March 2015 a spokesman dismissed earlier reports as “based on some nicely presented suppositions”.

Next Century Cities, a city-to-city collaborative of mayors who recognize the critical need for fast, affordable, and reliable Internet, has grown to 100 communities across the country since launching in October 2014. Boise (ID) was announced as the 100th city to join Next Century Cities, a bipartisan, nationwide effort that also includes inaugural members such as Boston (MA), Kansas City (MO), and Chattanooga (TN), and more recent additions such as Charlotte (NC).

“Since launching Next Century Cities in October, we’ve seen incredible demand from cities looking to lead the conversation about the crucial role next-generation Internet plays in helping communities thrive,” said Deb Socia, Executive Director of Next Century Cities. “The 100 city leaders who are part of Next Century Cities know that gigabit level Internet is critical infrastructure for their residents and are pushing to become more economically competitive now and in the future through better access to high-speed, low-cost solutions for all.”

Here's an amenity you won't find at many hotels: Wi-Fi to go. All 19 Room Mate hotels in Europe and the Americas -- including three in the USA -- will begin offering complimentary portable Wi-Fi. The "WiMate Total Wi-Fi" program will mean that guests will be able to get Internet access anywhere at their destination without having to pay data or roaming charges. Guests can request a mini router when they make a reservation through the Room Mate website or at the front desk upon arrival. Up to five devices including mobile phones, tablets and laptops can be powered by the router.

Guests will get 100 MB of high-speed Internet. Hotels typically charge for Wi-Fi. Even if they offer it for free, they often have a fee for high-speed Internet. Offering portable Wi-Fi is an unusual amenity. "Posting on social media, referencing mobile maps and sharing travel moments with family and friends has become a huge part of the travel experience," says Room Mate CEO and founder Enrique Sarasola. "We're proud to be the first hotel group to offer free W-iFi in not just our hotels, but throughout entire cities, so our guests can better enjoy their trips."

Comcast Ventures, the venture capital arm of Comcast, was one of the companies that participated in a $24 million “B” round in Automatic Labs, a startup that has developed a connected car platform. Comcast Ventures did not specify its investment. Automatic Labs, which has raised about $32 million so far, said the B round also included participation from an investment subsidiary of USAA (a top insurance and financial services provider for military families), CDK Global, along with existing investors Y Combinator, RPM Ventures, Anthemis Group, Amicus Capital, as well as several angel investors.

San Francisco-based Automatic Labs pairs an app with an in-car device that can help drivers diagnose engine trouble, detect accidents and send emergency responses. According to the company, its adapter plugs into the standard diagnostics port hidden under the dash in most cars since 1996. When paired with that device, Automatic Labs’ app displays useful information about the user’s car and driving habits.