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Sep 20, 2024 • 5 min read

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Temu Alleged Cyberattack
Neuralink Blindsight Update

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Temu Alleged Cyberattack:

Recently, Temu, a rapidly expanding e-commerce platform, had a hacker claim to have stolen 87 million customer records. The hacker, using an alias, posted a sample of the alleged data on BreachForums, suggesting that it contained sensitive customer information like usernames, IP addresses, and shipping addresses. This raised immediate concerns over identity theft and potential fraud. However, Temu responded swiftly, stating that their security team conducted an internal investigation and found no match between the stolen data and their own records.
Temu emphasized that its systems are secure and that they follow stringent data protection standards. The company is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and works with HackerOne’s bug bounty program, which rewards security researchers for reporting potential vulnerabilities. Temu also highlighted that the company takes any claims of data breaches very seriously, and they intend to pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading false information.
Despite these reassurances, the hacker continued to assert that they had access to Temu’s systems, claiming vulnerabilities existed in the company's code. However, they failed to provide any substantial proof of these claims, and later developments showed that the hacker had been banned from the forum for attempting to sell data from a separate, previously breached database. This undermined the credibility of the hacker's assertions and lent further support to Temu’s denial of any breach.
Although Temu has not confirmed any actual data breach, security experts recommend that users take precautions. It is advisable to change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and remain alert to suspicious activity, such as phishing attempts. These steps can help users protect their accounts and personal information, even in cases where a breach is unverified but still potentially harmful.

Neuralink Blindsight Update:

Neuralink’s Blindsight implant has been granted the FDA’s "breakthrough device" designation, which is not an outright approval but a special status aimed at speeding up the development and review process for medical devices that address serious or life-threatening conditions. This designation provides Neuralink with the opportunity for priority review and more frequent interactions with the FDA during the pre-approval phases.
The goal of “breakthrough device” designation is to help promising technologies reach the market faster, but it does not mean the device has been approved for public use yet. The Blindsight device is designed to restore vision to people who have lost their eyes and optic nerves. It works by implanting a microelectrode array in the visual cortex, which stimulates neurons based on data from an external camera, potentially allowing blind individuals to perceive visual information.
While human trials for this device have not yet begun, the breakthrough status suggests that Neuralink could move toward these trials more quickly than under the traditional regulatory process. This breakthrough designation is part of Neuralink’s broader effort to develop advanced brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Earlier in 2024, the company successfully implanted its first BCI in a paralyzed patient, allowing them to control digital devices using their thoughts.
The success of that implant sets the stage for more complex applications, like Blindsight, which aims to address vision loss—a much more complicated neurological challenge. While the FDA designation helps accelerate the process, it does not guarantee approval. Neuralink will still need to conduct clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Blindsight device before it can be made available to the public.

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