Russian and Ukrainian authorities say their emergency alert apps have been targeted in an apparent cyberattack, after users received false emergency warnings. In a Telegram post, Ukraine’s Air Force said its air raid alert app appeared to have been “subjected to enemy influence” after issuing baseless warnings of a radiation threat. Ukrainian authorities said the app, which Ukrainians rely on for safety amid daily Russian airstrikes, had been temporarily suspended. Following Ukraine’s announcement, Russian authorities said in a Telegram post that their emergency warning app had also come under a "massive cyberattack." The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said hackers posted “false information” on the app, which is designed to warn civilians of drone attacks and other threats. In an X post, Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications blamed its hack on Russia, saying: "Unfortunately, Russians have hacked the ‘Air Alert’ app."
Ask many people what worries them about artificial intelligence, and you will likely hear some version of a sci-fi movie storyline: The machine wakes up one morning, works out that people are the obstacle and starts making its own arrangements. I've worked with these systems for a living, and I would like to offer a less cinematic narrative.
