The significant development this week undoubtedly lies in the Trump administration’s bewildering tariffs, which have shaken the global economy, impacting various sectors from the US tech industry to actual penguins, leaving most of the world pondering about the future. However, if one seeks a puzzle that is less, well, philosophical, Indiana University should be the focus.
On March 18, FBI conducted searches at Xiaofeng Wang’s residences, a data security professor and researcher who contributed to IU for over two decades. On the same day, per a termination email seen by WIRED, Wang was let go from his position, which led to suspicions arising due to his sudden disappearance along with his spouse.
A WIRED probe revealed that the university was probing whether Wang had received undisclosed research funds from China before his dismissal. IU also scrubbed Wang’s and his wife Nianli Ma’s profiles from its website; Ma worked as a library systems analyst. Legal representatives for Wang and Ma have stated that they are in a “safe” position, with Wang reportedly securing a job at a university in Singapore. By the beginning of this week, the couple’s legal counsel was unaware of any accusations against them.
The substantial language models powering generative AI tools may appear as enigma, but a company’s exposed server gave unexpected insights into how individuals utilize these tools. The simplified answer? It’s not ideal. Security analyst Jeremiah Fowler stumbled upon an unguarded database housing over 95,000 entries tied to GeNomis, a South Korea-based image-generation tool. These entries included suggestions for creating images, some actual images like artificially aged portraits of stars such as Ariana Grande and Beyoncé portrayed as children, and possible instances of AI-generated material depicting child sexual exploitation. The GeNomis website went offline shortly after WIRED made inquiries.
But that’s not all. Every week, we compile the security and privacy news not extensively covered by us. Click on the headings to read the entire articles and keep yourself safe out there.
NSA Leader Removed Amid Trump Allegiance Dismissal Spree
As per reports, the National Security Agency’s director was let go from his role under the Trump administration due to the influence of far-right advocate Laura Loomer. According to several sources, during an Oval Office gathering on Wednesday, Loomer presented a list of nearly a dozen officials whom she accused of lacking adequate loyalty to President Donald Trump. Among those mentioned were General Timothy Haugh—who held roles in both the NSA and US Cyber Command—along with his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble, who has also apparently been relieved from her position.
CNN reported that Haugh was a specific target for Loomer, advocating for his ousting due to his appointment by Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley, known for public disputes with Trump, was quoted in a book by journalist Bob Woodward referring to the former president as “fascist to the core.” In a post on X, Loomer alleged that Haugh and Noble “have been disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been eliminated.”
The reported dismissals of Haugh and Noble took place shortly after several National Security Council staff members were pushed out following the Oval Office meeting where Loomer was present.
Speaking while aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump confirmed the NSC terminations and acknowledged Loomer’s advisory role. “She offers insights … and occasionally I heed those insights … I listen to all views before making a decision,” he declared.
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