Romance scams that use AI lead to $46 million in losses
Romance scams that use AI lead to $46 million in losses
Tenable, an exposure management company, warns that romance scams remain a major threat, with fraudsters now using generative AI (GenAI) to deceive victims more convincingly.
A recent case in Hong Kong highlights the growing sophistication of these scams, Tenable shared. Fraudsters used artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos and audio, tricking victims across Taiwan, Singapore, and India into believing they were in genuine relationships. This scheme led to over $46 million in losses.
“Many of these scammers operate from overseas and don’t speak fluent English,” said Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer at Tenable. “AI helps them craft sophisticated, emotionally compelling messages that make their scams more believable and harder to detect.”
DOST to focus on quantum computing, AI, and smart agri to drive innovation in PH
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has introduced eight research and development (R&D) programs that use advanced technology to address challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Called “ELEV8PH: Pushing S&T Frontiers for National Development,” the initiative aims to explore the role of science and technology in solving national issues. It also hopes to strengthen industry innovation through collaboration between academia, businesses, and government agencies.
Among the key initiatives is the establishment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Virtual Hubs, which aim to make AI tools accessible to businesses, researchers, and communities. By offering AI solutions that do not require extensive technical expertise, the program encourages innovation in various sectors.
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IDC: Transsion leads PH smartphone market as sales rise
The Philippine smartphone market grew by 6.1% in 2024, reaching nearly 18 million units, according to the International Data Corp.’s (IDC) Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.
More than half of the total shipments were priced below $100, with Transsion, which owns Infinix, Tecno, and Itel, leading the market. The company shipped more than 4.8 million units in this price range, mainly driven by Infinix’s Smart series and Tecno’s Spark Go series. The increase in budget-friendly models lowered the average selling price of smartphones from $192 in 2023 to $179 in 2024.
Google blocks 3.2 million risky app installs in PH with new security feature
Google has prevented more than 3.2 million high-risk app install attempts in the Philippines through its Enhanced Google Play Protect security feature. The move aims to protect Android users from potential cyber threats, particularly from sideloaded apps — those downloaded from sources outside the Google Play Store.
Sideloaded apps often disguise themselves as loan services or reward-based games, tricking users into installing them. Once installed, they can steal personal information or financial data. Google’s real-time scanning feature now helps detect and block such threats before they cause harm.