Daily Tech News Digest – 2026-10-23

Top tech headlines from BBC Technology, TechRadar and Ars Technica in the last 24 hours.

BBC Technology

• What is PHP and why did it spark a global cyber-security scramble?
  AI uncovered long-hidden programming flaws, triggering a rare global cyber-security response.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:24:17 GMT
• 'It's been relentless' say IT workers on frontline of PHP cyber-security scramble
  IT and cyber experts have told the BBC about their struggles in the last 48 hours to update their systems.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:25 GMT
• The Indian workers filming their work to train AI
  Indian workers are being paid to film themselves at work and the footage is used to train AI.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:04:17 GMT
• Zuckerberg wins Meta deal to help him foot bill for possible California billionaire tax
  The Meta boss had said he would exit the state over a wealth tax that has not yet come into force.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:26:56 GMT
• Race to update services' computer systems after cyber-security flaw found
  Websites were taken offline after the developers of programming language PHP said "critical vulnerabilities" had been discovered.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:12:51 GMT

TechRadar Tech

• Pebble watches are getting plug-in support, and might rediscover its mojo
  Pebble users can look forward to apps and watch faces that are more consistent, more versatile, and more private.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:59:30 +0000
• Scientists say they’ve figured out the exact date when Van Gogh painted The Starry Night
  Scientists have used AI and CAD tools to discover when Van Gogh painted The Starry Night.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:57:13 +0000
• An alleged former BioWare dev leaks the 'Mass Effect Universe' trailer following studio closure, and fans believe this could be a 'Deadpool-style' move 'intended to generate public pressure and potentially give the cancelled project a second chance'
  A first look at the next Mass Effect game has leaked online following its cancelation and BioWare's closure, and fans are in an uproar.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:31:18 +0000
• Apple unveiled the first iPod today in 2001 — here's how the world reacted
  The iPod's place in gadget history is now well established, but not everyone saw its potential to begin with.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:22:34 +0000
• How to watch Kurla to Vengurla online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch Kurla To Vengurla online from anywhere, as three couples navigate love, family expectations, and the realities of city life.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:18:40 +0000
• Authentication does not equal authorization: Are we asking passkeys to prove too much?
  Securing the login is only half the battle. Where passkeys end and real trust begins.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:10:01 +0000
• How to watch Mercury Music Prize for free – stream full replay
  Here's our guide on how to watch Mercury Music Prize 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer - replay Raye from anywhere in the world.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:06:11 +0000
• Sigma FP2 review: the world's smallest full-frame mirrorless camera is a wonder of design
  The Sigma FP2 takes its predecessor's crown as the world's smallest full-frame camera, and the 6K-shooting hybrid has welcome upgrades, including a new sensor, tilt-touchscreen and built-in memory
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000
• Windows 11 could get an alternative to Recall, but AI skeptics aren't fans
  A classic case of 'solving a problem that doesn't exist': Windows 11 could get a reined-in alternative to Recall, but AI skeptics still aren't fans.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:55:33 +0000
• How to watch Maa Inti Bangaaram online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch Maa Inti Bangaaram online from anywhere, following Samantha Ruth Prabhu as a newly married woman whose violent past threatens her family life.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:52:40 +0000
• How to watch Kinare Kinare online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch Kinare Kinare online from anywhere and follow Raju and Maya’s romantic journey in this Hindi-dubbed Telugu drama.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:49:44 +0000
• The loyalty illusion: Why happy customers are shopping around
  How AI discovery and technology complexity are making customer loyalty harder to maintain.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:40:11 +0000
• How to watch India Ke Top 1% online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch India Ke Top 1% online from anywhere, as Anil Kapoor hosts contestants through tricky puzzles and mind-bending challenges.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:32:10 +0000
• How to watch Aryabhatt Ka Zero online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch Aryabhatt Ka Zero online from anywhere and follow Baggu’s journey as he strives to become an IAS officer and prove his worth.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:26:47 +0000
• How to watch Kon Yashwant Pansare online from anywhere
  Here’s how to watch Kon Yashwant Pansare online from anywhere, as a veteran lawyer fights for justice in this gripping Marathi courtroom thriller.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:25:20 +0000
• How to watch Chaar Yaar online – stream the Hindi crime series from anywhere for free
  Purav Jha, Naman Jain, Saqib Ayub, and Prayrak Mehta star in this Indian crime thriller series. Here's how to watch Chaar Yaar online with Prime, from anywhere.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:22:47 +0000
• A growing number of scientists, engineers and tech workers have seen colleagues leave after AI changed their work 'beyond recognition'
  Too many STEM professionals say AI has changed their role too much or added too much workload – so they're just leaving.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:20:00 +0000
• Your data is in Europe. Your technology still isn’t sovereign
  If a government can remove your service, the location of your server is almost beside the point.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:09:09 +0000
• Apple's hidden a fully functional original iPod in the new Apple Music site
  What a blast from the past — take yourself back to 2001 with the right URL
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:02:18 +0000
• How to watch The Northumbria Mysteries for free, online and from anywhere
  Here's how to watch the new detective drama online from anywhere in the world FOR FREE.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Ars Technica Technology

• Ukraine learns to fight without Starlink as Musk plays politics with satellites
  Ukraine has changed drones and war-fighting tech to reduce reliance on Starlink.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:30:22 +0000
• Review: Crystal Lake suffers a bit from its obsession with Pam Voorhees
  Friday the 13th prequel series based on Jason’s mom drags at first, then hits a vein.
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:15:03 +0000
• Rocket Report: SpaceX says no thanks to military launches; Spanish rocket nearly ready
  "We believe Canada should be able to reach orbit on its own terms."
  Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:00:57 +0000
• Switch 2 security takes a hit as hackers unlock homebrew access
  "Userland" exploit relies on integer overflow found in "SmileBasic" interpreter.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:25:33 +0000
• Moderna and Merck say their mRNA cancer vaccine cut death, recurrence by 42%
  Markers released top-line results today after previously reporting the trial succeeded.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:12:19 +0000
• Latest estimate for Starship launches required to support a Moon landing? 22.
  "We need to keep our eyes on numerous required fuelings for the lander."
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:52:31 +0000
• Comcast loses more customers, claims other ISPs' cheap prices are "irrational"
  Comcast plans job cuts and more AI agents for its shrinking cable customer base.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:07:09 +0000
• Disgraced eMudhra drops out of TLS business after using cert private key of 4
  Flubbed key signing "ceremony" allowed minting of web credentials for any site.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 20:17:52 +0000
• Leaked Mass Effect: Universe trailer gives a taste of what we're all missing
  We can't have nice things, but at least we can get trailers for them.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:59:37 +0000
• Ink droplets in motion snag top prize in Nikon Small World contest
  Ole Bielfeldt of Germany captured a microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:34:40 +0000
• "Disillusioned" MAHA leader quits as Trump admin's food agenda spoils: Report
  The departure comes amid turmoil in Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again movement.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:04:06 +0000
• Electric or gas? BMW goes both ways with new 2027 X5 and iX5.
  460 kW charging and 450 miles of range are among the reasons the EV is the one to get.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:01:23 +0000
• Samsung all but confirms iPhone Duo is goosing Galaxy Z8 sales
  Searches for Samsung foldables just happened to skyrocket following iPhone Duo unveiling.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:49:14 +0000
• US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon
  The Russian official who called commercial satellites "legitimate targets" now says concerns are "unfounded."
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:29:39 +0000
• Meta shocked by $25B fine after N.M. refused to join multistate settlement
  Meta will appeal a ruling imposing the largest fine Mark Zuckerberg has ever seen.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:04:31 +0000
• US-backed vaccine trial on babies canceled after international outcry
  The decried trial was canceled last week before police seized vaccine doses.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:37:00 +0000
• This emulator reimagines Nintendo’s Virtual Boy with a full color display
  Tile-based color palettes go way beyond the four shades of red on original hardware.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:59:40 +0000
• Hackers got a four-day head start on epic PHP2Shell vulnerability
  Hackers were already probing the bug before defenders were told it existed.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:25:02 +0000
• Sauron recruits his future Ringwraiths in Rings of Power S3 trailer
  "I will take my place as the conqueror, a sorcerer, a king."
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:22:31 +0000
• Forget "Malaise 2.0," GM says it's still all-in on EVs and autonomy
  General Motors' plans will require quite a lot of customers' trust.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:04:32 +0000

— Auto-generated digest