FBI blocks 13 internet domains as they are associated with malicious DDoS services. This action was carried out by the United States (US) agency in an operation called PowerOFF.

Blocking is done because DDoS allows hackers to launch DDoS attacks on any target worldwide. This can be done as long as the hackers are willing to pay for services in cryptocurrency.

In its official announcement, the FBI stated the success of the operation. The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California also confirmed the government had successfully dismantled the DDoS criminal infrastructure.

The FBI described the seizures as part of a third wave of US law enforcement actions against leading DDoS service providers. And calling this a significant win for law enforcement.

It was explained that of the 13 domains, 10 of them were new avatar services that closed their previous operations in December 2022. During the sweep, the FBI also closed 48 internet domains and charged six suspects.

A total of four suspects as part of the latest crackdown have pleaded guilty to participating in the operation of booter services. The suspects are aged between 19 and 37 and are from Florida and Texas.

As compiled from TechSpot, Friday (12/5/2023) the US is the most preferred domain registrar location for the service, although some sites are also registered in France, Hong Kong, Italy, and Canada.

Starting December 31, 2023, the messaging application WhatsApp will no longer work on at least 47 cell phones.

WhatsApp regularly releases updates or upgrades, and sometimes older smartphones are no longer able to keep up.

Previously on October 24 last year, the messaging application that was widely used in the world stopped working on iPhones running the old operating system, namely iOS 10 and iOS 11.

Quoted by Gizchina, Tuesday (12/4/2023), this time, there will be two types of iPhones that have lost access to the Whatsapp application, followed by dozens of types of old Android smartphones.

Of course, this rule applies to smartphones released several years ago, so it’s likely that many people have upgraded to newer models.

While it’s normal to see outdated smartphones still in use today, unfortunately, some of those on the list won’t be able to run the Whatsapp app starting December 31. Thus, users must upgrade their cell phones to newer models if they still want to use it.

The following is a list of 47 affected cell phones which have been arranged in alphabetical order

1. iPhone 5
2. iPhone 5c
3. Archos 53 Platinum
4. Grand S Flex ZTE
5. Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
6. HTC Desire 500
7. Huawei Ascend D
8. Huawei Ascend D1????????
9. Huawei Ascend D2
10. Huawei Ascend G740
11. Huawei Ascend Mate
12. Huawei Ascend P1????????
13. QuadXL
14. Lenovo A820
15. LG Enact
16. LG Lucid 2
17. LG Optimus 4X HD
18. LG Optimus F3
19. LG Optimus F3Q
20. LG Optimus F5
21. LG Optimus F6
22. LG Optimus F7
23. LG Optimus L2II
24. LG Optimus L3II
25. LG Optimus L3 II Dual
26. LG Optimus L4II
27. LG Optimus L4II Dual
28. LG Optimus L5
29. LG Optimus L5 Dual?????
30. LG Optimus L5II
31. LG Optimus L7
32. LG Optimus L7II
33. LG Optimus L7II Dual
34. LG Optimus Nitro HD
35. Memo ZTE V956
36. Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
37. Samsung Galaxy Core
38. Samsung Galaxy S2?????
39. Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
40. Samsung Galaxy Trend II
41. Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
42. Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
43. Sony Xperia Arc S
44. Sony Xperia miro????????
45. Sony Xperia Neo L????????
46. Wiko Cink Five
47. Wiko Darknight ZT

The presence of ChatGPT in our midst is indeed like a double-edged sword, which means that it has many benefits but there are also dangers that always lurk for the user or even other people.

As a result, the existence of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence-based chatbot service is also under threat, especially in a number of developed countries, one of which is Italy. Following Italy, Germany is also rumored to be soon blocking the existence of ChatGPT.

Germany will Block ChatGPT

A Reuters report, originally attributed to the Handelsblatt newspaper, quoted Germany’s commissioner for data protection as saying the country may ban viral AI chatbots due to data security concerns.

Referring to the ChatGPT ban in Italy, Ulrich Kelber said,

“In principle, such an action is also possible in Germany.”
Kelber further said that this would fall under the jurisdiction of the state and did not exactly divulge details on such a plan.

Not quite up there, Germany is also reported to have asked Italy to share further information about the basis for the ChatGPT ban.

In fact, other countries such as France and Ireland are also considering a ChatGPT ban, which Italy has already done and wants to hold a meeting between the countries soon.

“We are following up with the Italian regulators to understand the basis for their action and we will be coordinating with all EU data protection authorities on this matter,” a spokesman for the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) said.

ChatGPT Blocked from Italy

The Italian government recently banned ChatGPT for a while, citing privacy concerns.

OpenAI , the parent company of ChatGPT, was asked to restrict chatbot access to users in Italy after the country’s data protection authority accused it of not having a proper age verification system and of ‘unlawfully collecting personal data from users’.

The Italian government watchdog also cited the ChatGPT data breach that occurred on March 20. The breach was also acknowledged by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and he has apologized for the same.

OpenAI has been given 20 days to demonstrate material that may be finalized while the Italian government makes a final decision on the fate of the chatbot’s AI in the country.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also reacted to the ban via Twitter and named Italy as one of his favorite countries in the world.

he wrote,

“We are of course subject to the Italian government and have stopped offering ChatGPT in Italy (although we think we follow all privacy laws). Italy is one of my favorite countries and I look forward to visiting again soon.”