May 22, 2025
Tech News
A 19-year-old college student from Massachusetts has agreed to plead guilty to a major hack against PowerSchool, a widely used student information system. The Department of Justice revealed that he is charged with cyber extortion, identity theft, and unauthorized access, amounting to a significant breach of personal data.
PowerSchool disclosed that they became aware of a data breach in January, which involved the unauthorized extraction of personal information from their support portal. The company later confirmed it paid a ransom to the hacker to safeguard sensitive information, although they later received further threats concerning the stolen data.
Details from the DOJ indicate that Lane broke into PowerSchool’s system using stolen credentials and subsequently transferred sensitive student and teacher information to a server located in Ukraine. Additionally, he also faces charges related to hacking and extorting another unnamed U.S.-based telecom company.
In the automotive sector, Google and Volvo Cars have strengthened their partnership to advance Android software for vehicles. Volvo will now be the leading development partner, allowing quicker access to the latest Android features for their customers, enhancing the driving experience significantly.
This deeper integration means that Google engineers will be able to test Volvo cars equipped with the latest software in real-world situations, streamlining the development process. Currently, Volvo vehicles operate on Android 13, but they showcased the EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15 at Google’s I/O developer conference.
Meanwhile, in Italy, a report by national statistics bureau ISTAT revealed that only 8% of enterprises are utilizing artificial intelligence, a figure that lags behind other European nations. The lack of digital skills among the population is a significant barrier, with only 45.8% of Italians aged 16-74 possessing basic digital competencies, well below the EU average.
On the retail front, Shopify has launched several AI-powered tools aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience for merchants. This includes an AI store builder that allows users to create storefronts with a single prompt, alongside updates to their AI commerce assistant, Sidekick, which now includes voice chat capabilities.
The AI store builder enables merchants to quickly set up their websites based on brand prompts, aiming to streamline the personalization process. Coupled with new features in Sidekick, which can now respond audibly to questions and allow screen sharing, Shopify is investing significantly in AI to optimize retail operations.
Tech Explained
Cyber Extortion – This term refers to the act of threatening to disclose sensitive information or to disrupt services unless a ransom is paid. In the context of the PowerSchool hack, the attacker threatened to leak personal data unless a substantial payment was made.
Personal Data – This encompasses information that can be used to identify individuals, such as names, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The data breach at PowerSchool involved a significant amount of personal data belonging to students and teachers.
Android – An open-source mobile operating system developed by Google. In the automotive context, it allows for advanced in-car features and applications, exemplified by Volvo’s current implementation, which enables seamless integration of mobile capabilities into vehicles.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – This refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human cognition. Shopify’s introduction of AI tools helps merchants create tailored shopping experiences without deep technical skills.
E-commerce – This is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. The updates from Shopify aim to enhance e-commerce capabilities by utilizing AI to simplify store setup and improve customer interaction through tools like Sidekick.
