Today, the European Union ordered Google to give its AI rivals greater access to Android, the open-source operating system that powers billions of devices worldwide. The demand is hardly surprising. It may look like a defeat on paper for Google, which has spent years resisting exactly this kind of access, but it is a regulatory win. It’s also a sign that Google may have outmaneuvered Apple by playing Brussels’ regulatory game far more shrewdly.
Technology
Sheriff’s office tests America’s first self-driving police SUV
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The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office recently announced a bold experiment that could redefine the future of law enforcement. The department introduced the Police Unmanned Ground Vehicle Patrol Partner, or PUG, which it claims is America’s first fully autonomous patrol vehicle.
Developed with the nonprofit Policing Lab and Perrone Robotics, the SUV can drive itself, detect suspicious activity through artificial intelligence-powered cameras and even deploy drones for aerial surveillance.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the year-long pilot program is designed to explore how advanced technology can improve public safety, extend deputy resources and increase efficiency. The vehicle will initially operate on predetermined patrol routes and will have a deputy seated in the front during testing. Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz called it a way to “set the standard for what will be the future of law enforcement in this country.”
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AI-powered sensors and drones provide officers with real-time awareness as the community observes this new approach. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service)
Inside the Police Unmanned Ground Patrol Partner
The PUG Patrol Partner is packed with high-tech features. It integrates with police databases, license plate readers and crime analytics software in real time. Its 360-degree cameras and thermal imaging sensors allow it to identify people or vehicles in restricted areas, even in low-light conditions. The vehicle can also launch drones equipped with thermal cameras to monitor larger areas or assist in active incidents.
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A community tablet installed on the PUG lets residents interact with the vehicle and offer feedback during public events. This interactive component is a way to bridge the gap between technology and trust, helping people understand how the system works while giving them a voice in shaping its use.
Miami-Dade’s new autonomous patrol vehicle begins its first trial run and offers a look at the future of modern policing. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg)
Why the PUG matters
The PUG represents a new approach to community safety. Advocates call it a “force multiplier” that automates routine patrols, increases situational awareness and frees deputies to focus on complex human interactions. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office sees it as a partner, not a replacement, for human officers.
Still, questions remain about privacy, data collection and long-term costs. Although the first unit was donated, future vehicles could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 each. The trial period will measure the vehicle’s impact on response times, deterrence, officer safety and public confidence. If the results are positive, Miami-Dade could become a national model for autonomous policing.
What begins in Miami-Dade today could soon expand across the country and reshape how safety and surveillance work together. (Giorgio Viera/AFP)
What this means to you
For people in Miami-Dade County, the arrival of the PUG could reshape how everyday policing looks and feels. You may soon see the self-driving vehicle patrolling neighborhoods, monitoring events and collecting information through its network of cameras and sensors. Its AI systems can process and respond to situations faster than human officers, raising new questions about transparency, accountability and how data from public spaces will be managed.
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However, this project reaches far beyond Miami-Dade. Other law enforcement agencies are paying close attention to see whether the program succeeds. If it performs well, similar vehicles could begin appearing in major cities across the country. Communities from coast to coast may soon face the same discussions about safety, surveillance and trust that Miami residents are having today. People will need to decide what balance they want between innovation and privacy and how technology should support public safety.
As the pilot continues, community participation will matter more than ever. Residents, civic leaders and advocacy groups can shape how this technology develops by speaking up about clear rules, fair data use and transparency. The results from Miami-Dade could influence how police departments nationwide use automation in the years ahead. This is a moment to pay attention, ask questions and help guide the direction of modern policing before it becomes standard practice everywhere.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
The debut of the autonomous patrol vehicle marks a milestone in American law enforcement. It blends innovation with controversy, hope with hesitation. Supporters believe it can enhance safety and efficiency, while critics worry about surveillance overreach and cost. The truth will emerge over the next year as data and public feedback shape the path forward. Change has arrived on four wheels, powered by code and cameras. The question is whether society will guide that change responsibly or let technology take the wheel.
Are you ready for a self-driving police SUV patrolling your neighborhood, or does the idea of robotic law enforcement cross the line for you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Get ready for more AI characters in Fortnite. Developer Epic Games is going to let Fortnite creators publish experiences featuring characters with AI-powered voices starting on July 30th, and ahead of that launch, it’s created 36 characters with “consistent voices and personas” that creators can use as NPCs. The characters include Fortnite staples like Agent Jonesy, Peely (the banana), Fishstick (a walking fish), and Cuddle Team Leader (who wears a pink bear mascot head).
Epic tested the waters of AI characters with last year’s Darth Vader NPC that was powered by James Earl Jones’ voice — a collaboration that Jones’ estate signed off on. Even though players quickly got Vader to swear, something Epic fixed quickly, the company announced shortly after debuting Vader that Fortnite creators would be able to make AI-powered characters of their own.
The voices for these new personas rely on “performances captured from independent professional actors specifically for use in developer-made islands,” Epic says. “The actors agreed to have their performances used to develop voice models that create the spoken responses for these LLM-powered Fortnite characters.”
Down the line, it sounds like Epic wants to make characters featuring voices from the well-known actors that have appeared in the Fortnite universe, but it will have to secure the right approvals to do so. “Our next step is to work with the relevant guilds and character voice actors who have previously worked on Fortnite Battle Royale to explore opportunities to make their original voices available across the Fortnite ecosystem,” the company says.
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Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share are the kind of phone features you probably use without thinking much about them. You want to send a photo across the room. You want to move a file from your phone to your laptop. So you tap share, pick a nearby device and move on.
Now, new security research shows those handy nearby-sharing tools can also create a wireless opening around your phone.
Researchers at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security examined Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share. They found six vulnerabilities across Apple, Samsung and Google implementations. The flaws include AirDrop crash bugs, Samsung Quick Share protocol issues and a Google Quick Share for Windows bug that could potentially lead to remote code execution.
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AirDrop and Quick Share make file sharing easy, but researchers say nearby sharing can also expose phones to wireless attacks in crowded places. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
That can affect you in a very everyday way. Your phone may be sitting in your pocket at an airport gate, in a coffee shop or inside a packed conference room while it listens for nearby sharing requests. If a bad actor gets close enough, they could try to take advantage of that open wireless doorway before you even realize anything happened. So, before you leave AirDrop or Quick Share open again, here is what the research found and the settings worth checking now.
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AirDrop Quick Share security flaws explained
The researchers call this a proximity problem. AirDrop and Quick Share are built to find nearby devices without the usual setup of pairing first. That convenience is the whole point. It also means the sharing software has to listen before it fully trusts the other device.
According to the research, the affected protocols are used by more than five billion devices. Apple reports more than 2.2 billion active devices running the sharing service tied to AirDrop. Google reports more than 3 billion Android devices with Quick Share available system-wide or used as a default sharing tool on many phones.
The study found three AirDrop issues that could be triggered before authentication. It also found two Samsung Quick Share protocol flaws. In addition, researchers found one Google Quick Share for Windows use-after-free bug. Apple, Samsung and Google acknowledged the reports, according to the researchers.
Why AirDrop and Quick Share can expose your phone
Most phone attacks we talk about involve bad links, fake login pages or shady apps. This research points to a different kind of risk because it starts with physical proximity. A nearby attacker may not need your password. They may not need you to open a website either. In some cases, the target device only needs to be discoverable or in a sharing mode that listens for nearby devices.
That does not mean someone can grab every photo on your phone by standing next to you. The known flaws are narrower than that. Still, the research shows that file-sharing features sit closer to sensitive parts of the system than many of us realize. AirDrop interacts with Apple’s sharing service, which supports features beyond file transfers. Quick Share also moves through low-level networking and device-to-device connection steps. That is why bugs in this area deserve your attention.
How nearby hackers could abuse AirDrop and Quick Share
The most immediate risk is disruption. Researchers found AirDrop bugs that could crash Apple’s sharing service. That service supports AirDrop and other continuity features.
On Samsung Quick Share, researchers found protocol weaknesses that could let an attacker manipulate connection behavior before full authentication. Another issue could allow certain control messages to be injected during an active transfer.
The Google Quick Share for Windows bug is more serious on paper. Researchers described it as a heap use-after-free issue and said Google awarded a bug bounty for it. The paper says this type of bug could potentially be developed into a full remote code-execution exploit.
Google told CyberGuy it has addressed the Windows issue. “We’ve patched the flaw identified for Quick Share for Windows. As a best security practice, users should always ensure they apply the latest security updates available for their device,” a Google spokesperson said.
For most phone owners, the daily takeaway is clear. Nearby sharing is useful, but you should avoid leaving your device open to everyone when you do not need it.
Who faces the biggest AirDrop and Quick Share risk
You should be extra careful with AirDrop or Quick Share when you are around a lot of strangers. That includes airports, trains, hotels and large events. These are places where a nearby attacker could sit close enough to reach many devices at once.
The risk goes up when your phone is set to receive from everyone. On iPhone, Apple says the “Everyone for 10 Minutes” setting reverts after 10 minutes if you are signed in to your Apple Account. If you are not signed in, it reverts to Receiving Off. That time limit helps. Even so, you should treat “Everyone” as a temporary setting. Turn it on only when you need it.
Ways to stay safe from AirDrop and Quick Share risks
The good news is that a few quick settings checks can make your phone much harder for nearby strangers to reach. You can also review these iPhone and Android security settings for more ways to lock down your device.
A few quick settings checks can help keep your iPhone or Samsung phone from being visible to strangers nearby. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
1) Update your phone and computer
Start with regular software updates. The researchers responsibly disclosed the findings, and fixes are underway across vendors. Install iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Samsung updates, Google Play system updates and Quick Share for Windows updates as soon as they become available. Also check the apps or utilities tied to sharing on your computer. Quick Share for Windows was part of this research, so remember the PC side if you use Android-to-Windows transfers.
2) Lock down AirDrop on iPhone
On iPhone, keep AirDrop limited unless you are actively using it. The safest everyday choice is Receiving Off or Contacts Only.
- To check AirDrop from Control Center on most newer iPhones, wake up your iPhone and unlock it. Look at the top-right corner of the screen where you see the battery icon. Place your finger near that corner and swipe down toward the middle of the screen. If Notification Center opens instead, try again from farther to the right.
- Next, look for the box in the top-left area with the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and airplane icons. Touch and hold that box until it expands.
- Then tap AirDrop. Choose Receiving Off if you do not want anyone nearby to send you files. Choose Contacts Only if you only want people saved in your contacts to reach you.
- You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then General, then AirDrop. From there, choose Receiving Off, Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Use Everyone for 10 Minutes only when you are expecting a file from someone nearby. After that, go back to AirDrop and switch it to Contacts Only or Receiving Off.
3) Limit Quick Share on Samsung
On a Samsung phone, Quick Share controls who can see your device and send you files nearby. The safest everyday choice is No one or Contacts only.
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- To check it from the Quick panel, wake up your phone and unlock it. Place two fingers at the very top-right area of the screen and swipe down. This opens the full Quick panel. If that feels tricky, swipe down once from the top of the screen, then swipe down again to see more buttons.
- Look for the Quick Share button. If you do not see it, swipe left across the Quick panel to see more buttons. Tap Quick Share.
- A menu should appear that says Who can share with you. Choose No one if you do not want nearby people to find your phone. Choose Contacts only if you only want saved contacts to share with you. Avoid Everyone or Anyone nearby unless you are expecting a file from someone you trust.
- You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then tap the search bar at the top. Type Quick Share. Tap Quick Share, then tap Who can share with you. Choose No one or Contacts only.
- Use Everyone or Anyone nearby only when you are actively receiving a file. After that, go back into Quick Share and switch it to No one or Contacts only.
4) Decline random file requests
A file request from a stranger should be a red flag. Even if the file name looks harmless, decline it. Attackers often rely on curiosity. They may use a funny photo name or something that looks like it came from a nearby event. If you did not ask for the file, decline the request.
5) Turn off nearby sharing in crowded places
If you are traveling or sitting in a packed public place, turn receiving off. This is especially helpful at airports, train stations and large events. You can still turn AirDrop or Quick Share back on when you actually need it. That small habit gives you more control over when your phone is visible.
6) Be careful with personal files
If you use AirDrop or Quick Share to send personal files, slow down before you tap send. Check the recipient name carefully. When possible, confirm the device in person before sharing. Be extra careful with photos, tax documents, travel confirmations, medical forms, school paperwork or anything that includes your address, phone number or financial details. Avoid sending private files to devices with generic names like “iPhone,” “Galaxy” or “Laptop.” For sensitive documents, use a trusted cloud storage or file-sharing service where you can confirm the recipient, manage access and add password protection when available.
7) Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi under control
Nearby sharing often relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to discover and transfer between devices. You do not need to turn both off all day. However, it is smart to disable sharing features when you are done. Also, skip random public Wi-Fi networks just because they look familiar. Your phone can do a lot in the background. Give it fewer chances to talk to strangers.
8) Use strong security software
Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious files if you accidentally accept something you should not have. This is especially important on computers, since Quick Share for Windows was part of the research. Keep your security software updated and scan any file that looks suspicious before opening it. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
AirDrop and Quick Share are useful, and most of us will keep using them. I know I will. But this research is a good reminder that nearby sharing should not stay wide open by default. The issue comes down to convenience. Phone makers made file sharing feel effortless. That is great when you are sending vacation photos to family or moving a file to your laptop. It feels different when the same feature is listening in a packed airport, coffee shop or hotel lobby. What stands out to me is the range. A bad actor may only need to be close by. So, my advice is straightforward. Update your devices. Keep AirDrop and Quick Share limited to people you trust. Turn off receiving when you are in a crowd. And never accept a file request you were not expecting.
Limiting AirDrop and Quick Share to trusted contacts can reduce the chances of unwanted file requests or risky transfers. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Should phones make nearby sharing harder to leave open in public places? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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In one of two decisions handed down on Thursday, the European Commission — the EU’s executive arm and the principal enforcer of the bloc’s competition rules — said Google must give rival AI assistants the same kind of system features and data access it grants Google’s Gemini. The order stems from Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant platforms designated as “gatekeepers” to give competitors access to certain systems and data comparable to what is available to their own services.
Crucially, Google has until July 2027 to make those changes, giving it roughly a year to continue expanding Gemini, negotiate technical details with the EU, and shape how its rivals will eventually plug into Android. The company could also challenge the decision in court, though it has not commented publicly whether it plans to do so and declined to comment on the record when The Verge inquired.
While Google has made it clear it would rather not open its systems at all — arguing it risks compromising users’ safety, security, and privacy — that yearlong runway compounds an already significant advantage. Gemini is already deeply integrated into Android and often ships preinstalled as the default AI assistant on many devices, giving Google more time to strengthen its position before rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic gain comparable levels of access.
Google’s strategy of shipping first and negotiating with regulators later stands in stark contrast to Apple’s. When Apple announced its long-awaited Siri AI assistant last month, it made a big point of saying the feature would not launch in Europe because of the DMA.
As with Android, the Commission said Apple would need to give third-party assistants comparable access to key systems, features, and data to those of Siri AI. Apple argued that doing so “would be irresponsible” and create unacceptable privacy and security risks. The company said it asked the Commission for 18 months to build a compliant version and introduce the required interoperability on a “gradually rolling” basis. The Commission rejected that proposal.
Apple still has no public timeline for when, or even whether, it plans to bring Siri AI to the EU and did not respond to The Verge’s request for comment. Google, meanwhile, just secured the very grace period for Gemini that Apple wanted for Siri AI: time to comply with the DMA while its AI assistant stays on the market.
The contrast may partly reflect where each company’s AI assistant stood when the DMA began shaping product decisions. Gemini has been the central pillar of Google’s AI strategy for years and has been widely distributed across the company’s product ecosystem, giving Google a strong incentive to stay in the market and figure out compliance with any laws later. Apple, meanwhile, unveiled its new Siri AI very recently and chose to withhold it from the EU, despite having had years to anticipate the DMA’s requirements during the product’s design.
Apple also chose to turn Siri AI’s absence into a political weapon, evidently hoping the court of public opinion would find in its favor and pressure Brussels to relax interoperability requirements. It did so publicly and repeatedly, taking the unusual step of dedicating part of its WWDC 2026 keynote to explaining why Siri AI won’t be coming to Europe, publishing a pointed blog post titled “Due to DMA, Siri AI delayed in EU for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27,” and holding media briefings on the issue. It relayed news that China was missing out on Siri AI through a one-sentence footnote. All of this served to cast Brussels, not Apple’s product choices, as the reason for the delay.
It’s also possible that the split is less significant behind the scenes than it appears in public. Google and Apple both vehemently oppose the DMA’s interoperability demands, framing them as threats to privacy, security, and product integrity. The two companies have also worked together on integrating Gemini into Apple’s AI products, including Siri AI, making it plausible that they have remained in contact while exploring different ways to fight the same set of restrictions.
For now, though, the difference is stark. Google has a year to bring Android into compliance while continuing to expand Gemini. Brussels denied Apple this kind of runway, and who knows when Siri AI will reach the EU.
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