Spain-Linked Hacking Group Exposed, 23andMe Acquired, and AI Avatars in the Boardroom: This Week’s Tech Recap

Careto Hacking Group Allegedly Linked to Spanish Government

A major cybersecurity revelation has resurfaced. More than a decade after its initial discovery by Kaspersky Lab in 2014, the sophisticated espionage group known as Careto (a.k.a. The Mask) is now reportedly tied to the Spanish government, according to new investigative reporting.

At the time of discovery, Kaspersky labeled Careto as “one of the most advanced threats” — capable of infecting Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android systems. While Kaspersky didn't name a sponsor, internal researchers allegedly believed that Spanish intelligence was behind the cyber-espionage campaign.

This marks a rare moment where a European democracy is directly linked to state-sponsored hacking — a domain usually dominated by actors from China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.

AI Avatars Are Now Giving Earnings Reports

Yes, you read that right.

This week, multiple CEOs began experimenting with AI-generated avatars to present quarterly earnings calls to investors. These hyper-realistic digital doubles delivered scripted financial updates — raising new questions around authenticity, trust, and automation in executive communication.

While some investors called it innovative, others felt uneasy. If leadership can be automated, what does that say about the future of C-level accountability?

Regeneron Buys 23andMe: Genetics Meets Big Pharma

In a move that’s shaking up the genomics industry, pharmaceutical heavyweight Regeneron announced the $256 million acquisition of 23andMe — including its 15 million-user genomic and personal data bank.

Regeneron emphasized a commitment to “privacy, security, and ethical use” of that data, but concerns remain about how personal DNA information could be leveraged for drug discovery and commercial gain.

Critics are calling for strict regulatory oversight to ensure transparency and user control over genetic data in this next-gen biotech era.

Google I/O Highlights: AI Everywhere, and a Rare Admission

At Google I/O 2024, the search giant u

But perhaps the most memorable moment came from Sergey Brin himself, who candidly admitted he made “a lot of mistakes” with Google Glass, one of the company’s earliest moonshot failures.

It was a rare moment of executive humility — and one that highlighted the need for reflection, even as the tech world races ahead with ever more powerful AI.

Key Takeaways:

• Careto, a decade-old APT group, is now reportedly linked to Spanish government cyber operations.

• AI avatars are being used by CEOs in earnings calls — changing the future of executive presence.

• 23andMe is acquired by Regeneron for its vast genomic database, raising ethical questions.

• Google continues to dominate the AI landscape, with Brin admitting past mistakes as it looks forward.