High-profile Incidents Research Articles

Hack-and-leak operations in Latin America: the case of Guacamaya

ABSTRACT Hack-and-leak operations (HLOs) have been making headlines over the past few years, with high-profile incidents such as the DNC leaks. However, few articles have focused on the potential hacktivist use of HLOs, and fewer still on instances in Latin America. The 2022 Guacamaya leaks provide an opportunity to examine these angles. This article explores the impact of the Guacamaya HLOs. By using media coverage as a proxy for impact, we consider the disparities in coverage between Mexico and Colombia. To do this, we refine and apply Shires’ tripartite framework to the Guacamaya case study. This article makes three main contributions. First it provides a revised framework to analyse the impact of HLOs. Second, it provides insights into a case study from a region of the world that is largely understudied in the cybersecurity literature. Finally, it explores the potential hacktivist use of HLOs, which may see different dynamics to the state use or state-sponsored use of HLOs.

Cybersecurity and the Future of International Relations

This research examines the growing influence of cybersecurity on international relations, focusing on how cyber threats, digital espionage, and cyber warfare are transforming state sovereignty, diplomacy, and global security. With the rise of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the increasing involvement of non-state actors, cybersecurity has become a central issue in the global power dynamics between major nation-states and international organizations. The study analyzes high-profile cyber incidents, such as the SolarWinds and Stuxnet attacks, and investigates their geopolitical implications, including how they have reshaped cyber norms and governance strategies. Through a comparative analysis of national cybersecurity strategies in countries like the U.S., China, and the EU, this research assesses the effectiveness of current international treaties, such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, and multilateral efforts to establish cybersecurity norms. Preliminary findings suggest that cybersecurity has evolved into a strategic tool in global competition, with cyberattacks being used for coercion and disruption. Moreover, the rise of cyber espionage has heightened the stakes in digital diplomacy, leading to the establishment of specialized cyber units within foreign ministries. This study advocates for the development of comprehensive international treaties focused on cyber governance, with an emphasis on conflict prevention, cyber deterrence, and collective defense mechanisms. Additionally, it calls for greater involvement of multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations and NATO, in creating transparent and accountable frameworks for state-sponsored cyber activities. The research underscores the urgent need for cohesive global governance models to address the complex challenges posed by cybersecurity in shaping the future of international relations.

Navigating Food Fraud: A Survey of Nigerian Consumer Knowledge and Attitudes.

Food fraud presents a growing threat globally, impacting consumer health; food safety; and brand credibility. The key motivation for food fraud is usually an economic or financial advantage. Economically motivated food fraud (EMA) is the illegal deception, deliberate and intentional substitution or addition of a substance in a food product, which may pose a possible health risk to unsuspecting consumers. This study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes of Nigerian consumers towards food authenticity and the regulatory measures in place to combat food adulteration. The study comprised 2160 respondents who were asked about their knowledge of high-profile food fraud incidents, frequently adulterated products, and their opinions of the effects of food fraud and preventative measures. The findings of this study revealed that more than a third of respondents were unfamiliar with the term "food fraud". However, they were aware of local high-profile cases, such as "plastic rice" and counterfeit dairy products. Most participants relied on point-of-sale information for assessing food authenticity, with street vendors being viewed as potential sources of food adulteration. The study also found that more than half of the respondents were concerned about food fraud regardless of whether it involved local or imported products. A wide variety of food items were identified as prone to adulteration or fraudulent activity. These included alcoholic drinks, dairy products, honey, rice, and tomato paste, amongst others. These findings highlight the need for improved consumer awareness, regulatory effectiveness, and remediation efforts to combat food fraud in Nigeria.

Cybersecurity Threats in E-Commerce: Trends and Mitigation Strategies

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, e-commerce platforms have become prime targets for cyber threats, posing significant risks to businesses and consumers alike. This paper investigates the prevalent cybersecurity threats facing e-commerce and explores the current trends in these threats. The study identifies key threat categories such as phishing attacks, malware, data breaches, and insider threats, each of which has increasingly sophisticated and destructive capabilities. The paper further delves into the emerging trends in cybersecurity threats, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by cybercriminals, vulnerabilities introduced by Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the impact of regulatory changes on threat dynamics. Through an analysis of recent high-profile incidents and industry-specific threats, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of how these threats affect different sectors within e-commerce.In response to the growing threat landscape, the paper outlines various mitigation strategies. Technical measures such as encryption, secure payment gateways, and intrusion detection systems are discussed, alongside organizational practices including employee training, incident response planning, and access control policies. “The importance of legal and regulatory compliance is emphasized, highlighting the need for businesses to adhere to regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Algorithmic models through a representational lens

Although algorithms are imbued with a sense of objectivity and reliability, numerous high-profile incidents have demonstrated their fallibility. In response, many have called for algorithmic governance that mitigates their potential harms. Further, these incidents have inspired studies that consider algorithms as part of wider sociotechnical systems. In this article, we build on such work and focus on how the specific forms of algorithms may facilitate or constrain the ways in which they become embedded within these systems. More specifically, we suggest that (a) algorithms should be understood as models, with (b) divergent forms, and (c) associated representational qualities. We showcase this approach in three critical case studies of algorithmic models used in government: the SAFFIER II model that underpins the Netherlands government’s spending, the Ofqual DCP A-Level grading algorithm that was used (and later abandoned) in lieu of actual secondary school exams in the United Kingdom, and the Risk Classification Model used by the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration to identify social benefit fraud. With the three case studies, we show how the divergent forms of algorithms have implications for their responsiveness and ultimately their solidification in – or dissolution from – socio-technical systems.

Factors influencing public attitudes toward criminal justice system funding

This study explores the relationship between demographic factors and attitudes toward criminal justice funding in the United States. Specifically, we explore responses from two years of data from the United States General Social Survey, both prior to and after the dramatic events of 2020, during which reformers called for a reduction in funding for law enforcement agencies as a response to high-profile incidents of police violence. We find that while certain demographic traits align with previous understandings of public attitudes toward police funding, the relationship between gender and these attitudes presents a notable exception; race appears less predictive than expected. Additionally, the impact of racially prejudiced views on opinions about law enforcement funding has grown more pronounced over time.

Pipeline incidents and property values

The rapid expansion of pipelines during the U.S. shale oil and gas boom drew attention to the economic consequences of pipeline incidents. This study investigates the impacts of 426 gas distribution pipeline incidents on property values in the United States between 2010 and 2020. We find that only incidents that are both severe (involving explosion, ignition, or fatalities) and occurred on above-ground pipelines, which we define as high-profile incidents, have adverse effects on nearby property values, while other incidents have no measurable housing price effect. A difference-in-differences analysis finds that high-profile incidents significantly decrease property values within 1000 m by 8.2%, and the negative impact can persist for about eight years on average. Furthermore, we find a drop in transaction volume that lasts a short period after the incidents, suggesting an initial demand-side response. In contrast to the strong effects of pipeline incidents, we do not find statistically significant price effects from pipeline installation. We also demonstrate that there is substantial heterogeneity by the type of incident and that results based on studies of individual incidents should be generalized with caution.

Making More with Less: Improving Software Testing Outcomes Using a Cross-Project and Cross-Language ML Classifier Based on Cost-Sensitive Training

As digitalization expands across all sectors, the economic toll of software defects on the U.S. economy reaches up to $2.41 trillion annually. High-profile incidents like the Boeing 787-Max 8 crash have shown the devastating potential of these defects, highlighting the critical importance of software testing within quality assurance frameworks. However, due to its complexity and resource intensity, the exhaustive nature of comprehensive testing often surpasses budget constraints. This research utilizes a machine learning (ML) model to enhance software testing decisions by pinpointing areas most susceptible to defects and optimizing scarce resource allocation. Previous studies have shown promising results using cost-sensitive training to refine ML models, improving predictive accuracy by reducing false negatives through addressing class imbalances in defect prediction datasets. This approach facilitates more targeted and effective testing efforts. Nevertheless, these models’ in-company generalizability across different projects (cross-project) and programming languages (cross-language) remained untested. This study validates the approach’s applicability across diverse development environments by integrating various datasets from distinct projects into a unified dataset, using a more interpretable ML technique. The results demonstrate that ML can support software testing decisions, enabling teams to identify up to 7× more defective modules compared to benchmark with the same testing effort.

Deepfake forensics: a survey of digital forensic methods for multimodal deepfake identification on social media

The rapid advancement of deepfake technology poses an escalating threat of misinformation and fraud enabled by manipulated media. Despite the risks, a comprehensive understanding of deepfake detection techniques has not materialized. This research tackles this knowledge gap by providing an up-to-date systematic survey of the digital forensic methods used to detect deepfakes. A rigorous methodology is followed, consolidating findings from recent publications on deepfake detection innovation. Prevalent datasets that underpin new techniques are analyzed. The effectiveness and limitations of established and emerging detection approaches across modalities including image, video, text and audio are evaluated. Insights into real-world performance are shared through case studies of high-profile deepfake incidents. Current research limitations around aspects like cross-modality detection are highlighted to inform future work. This timely survey furnishes researchers, practitioners and policymakers with a holistic overview of the state-of-the-art in deepfake detection. It concludes that continuous innovation is imperative to counter the rapidly evolving technological landscape enabling deepfakes.

Strategies for protecting IT supply chains against cybersecurity threats

This review paper explores the multifaceted realm of cybersecurity within IT supply chains, addressing the intricate challenges posed by digital vulnerabilities, high-profile cyber incidents, and emerging threats. It highlights the criticality of continuous risk assessment, the implementation of international security standards, and the necessity for enhanced management of third-party vendors. The paper also delves into advanced technological solutions like blockchain, AI, and machine learning for bolstering security, advocating for best practices including the zero-trust model, regular employee training, and secure software development. Emphasizing a proactive over a reactive approach, the paper underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats and the imperative for adaptive strategies. It calls for concerted efforts from businesses, policymakers, and IT professionals to prioritize and continuously refine cybersecurity measures in safeguarding IT supply chains against future threats. Keywords: IT Supply Chain, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Blockchain, Zero-Trust Model, Artificial Intelligence.

Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in Higher Education in England

ABSTRACT: This article considers the context, development, and significance of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 . The Act was relatively unusual in aiming to increase the normative strength of freedom of speech. The central justification given for the Act was the need to respond to an increasing number of interferences with free speech and academic freedom occurring at universities. The growth of a "cancel culture" was having a "chilling effect" on students, staff, and visiting speakers. The article examines a range of high-profile cases and incidents that have attracted political and media attention. Many of these have concerned contemporary debates related to trans issues and identity politics. The issues discussed in the article are of wider international interest. Similar controversies have been experienced in universities in other states. The article makes comparative reference to developments in the field in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The article examines the perceived issues and evidential bases for the Act, reviews the legal duties, and analyzes the key legal concepts. It considers these in terms of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (1950). It concludes by addressing three thematic issues: (i) a Model Code; (ii) challenging university ideologies; and (iii) securing cultural change.

London, you have a problem with women: trust towards the police in England

ABSTRACT Following a series of high-profile incidents of violence against women by serving London Metropolitan Police Officers, questions of standards and the public’s confidence in policing are in the spotlight. Over a fifteen-month period between July 2022 and September 2023 using monthly surveys of representative English samples, this study confirms that women, in general, are more trusting in the police than men. This, however, does not hold true in London. Out of nine regions in England, London is the only region where women’s overall trust in the police is lower than men. Lower levels of trust in the police among women in London hold when controls for age, income, political environment and crime levels are considered. In line with existing literature that considers women being more sensitive to cues about trustworthiness, the concerning incidents of sexual violence by police officers against women are likely to further erode trust in police in the capital, which already ranks last among England’s nine regions in citizen trust of the police. Statement on ethics approval Approval was granted for this study to be carried out by the College of Business, Arts and Social Science Research Ethics Committee, Brunel University London. Approval reference: 35290-LR-Jan/2022-37313-1.

Public Preferences for Mental Health Initiatives to Prevent Crime

Recently, in the wake of high-profile incidents, public and policy attention has been directed toward addressing mental health as an avenue to prevent crime. Given the link between public opinion and policy, it is important to understand how the public views such efforts. Specifically, do Americans favor measures (e.g., diversion/mental health partnerships, 988 hotline) that require a mental health, rather than police response, for incidents involving mentally distressed people? What factors—concerning beliefs about crime and mental health and personal characteristics (e.g., prior mental health history)—are associated with these policy preferences? Drawing on a 2022 national poll, this study examines these research questions. Results suggest majority approval for changes in mental health responses to crime among the public. However, divides in public attitudes are evident.

The Angry Echo Chamber: A Study of Extremist and Emotional Language Changes in Incel Communities Over Time.

Involuntary celibates, or incels, are part of a growing online subculture. Incels are men who are unable to engage in a sexual relationship with a woman and who experience significant distress and anger as a result. In recent years, high-profile incidents of violence perpetrated by incels or those who share incel ideology have increased research attention. Incels communicate online and share several characteristics with other online extremist groups. While only a fraction of incels engage in such violence, a broader spectrum of violence should be considered, including online harassment or general violence against women. This study sought to examine how ongoing engagement on an online incel forum affects changes in incel comments in terms of expressed anger and sadness and use of incel violent extremist language. We collected comments made on an incel forum over a 3-month period. We then identified prolific users and included their comments in our analysis. To assess how their language changed, we used a text-processing program (LIWC: Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) to assess the extent to which anger, sadness, and incel violent extremist language were expressed in the comments. Our findings indicated that incels express more anger in their comments than users on other platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter. However, they did not express greater sadness. Further, we found that incels are already quite angry and sad when they join the forum, and they already use a fair amount of incel vocabulary. Initially, these aspects of their language increase, but they flatten over time. This pattern suggests that introduction to and embracing of incel ideology occurs elsewhere on the Internet, and prior to people joining an incel forum. Implications in terms of prevention of online radicalization and future directions are discussed.

The acute toxicity of Novichok's degradation products using quantitative and qualitative toxicology in silico methods.

The emergence of Novichok agents, potent organophosphorus nerve agents, has spurred the demand for advanced analytical methods and toxicity assessments as a result of their involvement in high-profile incidents. This study focuses on the degradation products of Novichok agents, particularly their potential toxic effects on biological systems. Traditional in vivo methods for toxicity evaluation face ethical and practical constraints, prompting a shift toward in silico toxicology research. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of acute oral toxicity (AOT) for Novichok degradation products, using various in silico methods, including TEST, CATMoS, ProTox-II, ADMETlab, ACD/Labs Percepta, and QSAR Toolbox. Adopting these methodologies aligns with the 3Rs principle, emphasising Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement in the realm of toxicological studies. Qualitative assessments with STopTox and admetSAR revealed toxic profiles for all degradation products, with predicted toxicophores highlighting structural features responsible for toxicity. Quantitative predictions yielded varied estimates of acute oral toxicity, with the most toxic degradation products being EOPAA, MOPGA, MOPAA, MPGA, EOPGA, and MPAA, respectively. Structural modifications common to all examined hydrolytic degradation products involve substituting the fluorine atom with a hydroxyl group, imparting consequential effects on toxicity. The need for sophisticated analytical techniques for identifying and quantifying Novichok degradation products is underscored due to their inherent reactivity. This study represents a crucial step in unravelling the complexities of Novichok toxicity, highlighting the ongoing need for research into its degradation processes to refine analytical methodologies and fortify readiness against potential threats.

Does reaction to controversy in corporate narratives depend on its significance for various stakeholders?

PurposeThe study aims to determine whether a relationship exists between the potential significance of corporate controversies for stakeholders and how organisations respond to them in their annual and sustainability reports.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs content analysis on annual and sustainability reports of 48 listed companies from the Refinitiv database. The logit regression was used to estimate the model.FindingsThe study revealed that the main factors increasing the probability of a controversial issue being addressed in a corporate report are the controversy’s potential significance, companies’ financial performance and lawsuits.Research limitations/implicationsOur study has three major limitations. These are a relatively small sample of companies and reports, focusing on disclosures made in corporate reports and omitting other channels of communication, for example, social media, and a certain amount of subjectivity in the process of coding information.Social implicationsFormer studies show that corporations face a serious risk of their hypocritical strategies becoming too evident for stakeholder groups. Our findings suggest that the risk is already materialising and may undermine the idea of CSR and sustainability reporting.Originality/valueOur research focuses on high-profile adverse incidents widely reported in the media, the omission of which from corporate reports seems to constitute a particular case of organised hypocrite. It also demonstrates that companies use an impression management strategy to defuse adverse publicity and that major controversies cause minor ones to be omitted from their reports.

PRIVACY LAW CHALLENGES IN THE DIGITAL AGE: A GLOBAL REVIEW OF LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through digital technologies, the protection of individuals' privacy has emerged as a critical concern. This paper conducts a comprehensive global review of privacy legislation and enforcement mechanisms, shedding light on the challenges posed by the digital age. With a focus on the intricate balance between technological advancements and the fundamental right to privacy, the study explores the evolving legal landscape and its implications for individuals, businesses, and governments. The analysis encompasses diverse jurisdictions, highlighting the variations in privacy laws and enforcement approaches across regions. From the European Union's robust General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to the nuanced approaches in Asia and the Americas, this review synthesizes the evolving regulatory frameworks. Special attention is given to emerging issues such as the use of artificial intelligence, biometrics, and surveillance technologies, which pose unique challenges to existing privacy paradigms. Moreover, the paper investigates the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms in ensuring compliance with privacy laws. It examines the role of governmental agencies, regulatory bodies, and international collaborations in addressing cross-border data flows and global privacy challenges. The study also evaluates the impact of recent high-profile privacy incidents on shaping legislative responses and enforcement strategies. By presenting a holistic view of privacy law challenges in the digital age, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on safeguarding individuals' privacy rights in an era of rapid technological innovation. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners, businesses, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics surrounding privacy legislation and enforcement on a global scale.
 Keywords: Law, Privacy Law, Digital Age, Review, Data Protection.

Police violence reduces trust in the police among Black residents.

Recent high-profile incidents involving the shooting or killing of unarmed Black men have intensified the debate about how police violence affects trust in the criminal justice system, particularly among communities of color. In this article, we propose a quasi-experimental design that leverages the timing of the shooting of Jacob Blake by the Kenosha Police Department relative to when a large survey was fielded in the city of Chicago. We demonstrate that individuals interviewed 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the shooting are comparable across a large set of observed characteristics, thus approximating an experimental setting. We find that Blake's shooting caused substantial reductions in Black respondents' trust in the police, concentrated among younger residents and criminalized residents. These results suggest that police violence against racial minorities may lead to lower civic engagement and cooperation with law enforcement in those communities, exacerbating issues of public safety and community well-being. The pronounced distrust among younger Black residents suggests a generational rift that could risk further entrenching systemic biases and inequalities within the criminal justice system. Additionally, the higher levels of distrust among criminalized respondents could have implications for research detailing this population's decreased willingness to engage with public institutions more broadly.

“THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO STAY SAFE IS TO HIDE”: THE EXPERIENCES OF OLDER CHINESE IMMIGRANTS DURING COVID-19 IN NYC

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected older adults, who were at heightened risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, as well as social isolation. Challenges to accessing health information and vaccine resources were amplified among older immigrants due to language barriers, lack of established social networks, and experiences of systemic discrimination. Considering the surge of anti-Asian violence across the country and the high-profile violent incidents targeting Asian older adults, our analysis focuses on the lived experiences of older Chinese immigrants during the pandemic in New York City (NYC). To describe the support needed during the pandemic to inform service delivery, we conducted in-depth interviews with 9 low-income Chinese adults over 65 about their experiences in coping with COVID-19. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Results show that driven by the pro-vaccination and science norms in China, participants shared an overall positive attitude towards vaccines and exhibited extraordinary resilience to COVID-misinformation. However, COVID-19 and anti-Asian violence amplified each other. Fear of contracting COVID-19 due to perceived age-related vulnerability and fear of anti-Asian violence were prevalent, leading to self-protective withdrawal and deferred health care. Many expressed concerns about traveling to public places alone. Deeply frustrated with the government’s role in controlling violent crimes, some participants decided to stay home indefinitely to evade trouble. Mechanisms to draw out people who have socially withdrawn are needed. Senior service providers in NYC should initiate discussions about perceived safety and implement peer buddy systems to enhance post-pandemic quality of life for Asian older adults.

Organizational, Operational, and Demographic Predictors of Burnout in Police Officers with and without a Bachelor’s Degree

As of 2019, the Police Executive Research Forum released a report recognizing that most law enforcement agencies in the U.S. were “sensing a crisis” where officer retention and hiring were concerned. At the same time, the role of the American police officer has been called into question with high profile incidents, such as the killing of George Floyd in 2020, and the protests and discussions that ensued. The result is that police departments would likely benefit from hiring and retaining people who are trainable in traditional police subjects, but who also have an educational background that would allow them to be well-suited for new tasks that officers are being called to perform. The current paper examines differences in operational and organizational predictors of burnout in officers with and without a bachelor’s degree. Implications for policing agencies and universities who teach current and future officers are discussed.