Philippines to Join Indonesia, Malaysia in Blocking Musk’s Grok
General Technology

Philippines to Join Indonesia, Malaysia in Blocking Musk’s Grok

The Philippines will join Malaysia and Indonesia in banning Elon Musk's Grok AI due to rising concerns about the generation of sexualized images by the artificial intelligence system, as confirmed by a senior government official in Manila.


What is Grok AI?
Grok is an AI chatbot developed by xAI and integrated into Elon Musk's social media platform X, which has faced criticism for generating sexualized deepfake images, including non-consensual content involving real people and children.
Sources: [1], [2]
What are AI-generated sexualized deepfakes, and why are they a concern?
AI-generated sexualized deepfakes are non-consensual images created by AI that depict real individuals, including women and children, in explicit or undressed scenarios, representing serious violations of human rights, dignity, and digital safety, prompting swift regulatory blocks.
Sources: [1], [2]

15 January 2026

Bloomberg Technology
What is the release date for The Pitt season 2 episode 2 on HBO Max?
HBO Max

What is the release date for The Pitt season 2 episode 2 on HBO Max?

In The Pitt season 2 episode 2, new attending physician Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi aims to transform the dynamics of the series. The episode is set to premiere on HBO Max, promising exciting developments for viewers.


What time does The Pitt season 2 episode 2 release on HBO Max, and does it vary by region?
The Pitt season 2 episode 2 releases on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO Max. Release times vary by region: Canada follows the same schedule as the US (6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST), while international viewers can expect different times such as 7:30 a.m. IST on January 16 for India, 10:00 a.m. SGT on January 16 for Singapore, 1:00 p.m. AEDT on January 16 for Australia, and 3:00 p.m. NZDT on January 16 for New Zealand. Note that HBO Max is not yet available in the UK as of this release date.
Sources: [1], [2]
How does The Pitt season 2's release schedule work, and what is the unique format of the series?
The Pitt season 2 follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET through April 16, 2026. The series uses a unique 'real-time' format where each episode covers approximately one hour of the ER staff's 15-hour shift on July 4th. Episode 2, titled '8:00 A.M.,' covers the second hour of the shift. The season comprises 15 episodes total, with each episode title reflecting the time of day it represents in the narrative.
Sources: [1], [2]

15 January 2026

TechRadar
Malware & Threats

VoidLink Linux Malware Framework Targets Cloud Environments

The VoidLink Linux malware framework is designed for long-term access, specifically targeting cloud and container environments with advanced loaders, implants, and rootkits. This development raises significant security concerns for cloud infrastructure.


What is a rootkit and how does VoidLink use them?
A rootkit is a type of malware that hides its presence and other malicious activities by modifying operating system components, such as kernel modules or system calls. VoidLink employs multiple rootkits tailored to different Linux kernel versions, using techniques like LD_PRELOAD, loadable kernel modules (LKM), and eBPF programs to conceal processes, files, and network activity based on the detected environment.
Sources: [1], [2]
How does VoidLink adapt to cloud environments and security measures?
VoidLink detects specific cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and container runtimes such as Docker or Kubernetes using metadata APIs. It scans for security tools like EDRs and kernel hardening, computes a risk score, and adjusts its evasion tactics—such as slowing port scans or selecting appropriate rootkits—to maintain stealth in high-risk settings.
Sources: [1], [2]

15 January 2026

SecurityWeek
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