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Instagram Privacy Risks: Why Fun Can Turn into a Threat

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Comic-style illustration of a glowing smartphone surrounded by shadowy figures, symbolizing online privacy risks on social media

By Amit Weigman, Office of the CTO, Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.

Instagram Privacy Risks: Friend Map Sparks Safety Concerns

Instagram privacy risks are in the spotlight as the platform rolls out its new Friend Map feature. So what does this mean? The tool allows users to share live locations with friends. While this might strengthen social connections, it also introduces serious safety concerns, from stalking to unwanted data exposure.

Why Friend Map Fuels Instagram Privacy Risks

The idea of location-sharing is not new. However, Instagram’s scale and influence make Friend Map a unique case. By enabling constant access to users’ movements, the feature opens the door to potential abuse by cyberstalkers or even strangers. Furthermore, oversharing locations can put personal safety at risk, especially for younger users who may underestimate the implications and can end up in danger.

Privacy advocates emphasize that Instagram privacy risks are not just hypothetical. In the past, location-based features on social platforms have been exploited for harmful purposes. This track record reinforces the importance of using Friend Map carefully and intentionally.

How to Reduce Instagram Risks and Stay Safe

Fortunately, Instagram has built in some safety tools. Users can control who views their Friend Map and limit access to trusted contacts. Transitioning from open sharing to selective sharing dramatically reduces exposure.

In addition, experts recommend adopting simple but effective habits:

  • -Regularly review your privacy settings.
  • -Share your location only when necessary.
  • -Teach younger users about the dangers of constant visibility.

By staying proactive, users can enjoy Instagram’s features without falling victim to unnecessary risks.

Balancing Connection with Protection

Instagram wants Friend Map to encourage connection and spontaneity. Yet the reality is clear: every added feature also increases potential vulnerabilities. That is why being mindful of Instagram privacy risks is vital. Users who stay cautious, update their settings, and educate themselves can balance fun with safety.

Read our previous post here AI PC Survey: 90% of Leaders See PCs Driving Productivity

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GCC COMPANIES ACHIEVE 30-SECOND PAYROLL PROCESSING WITH 100 PER CENT ACCURACY USING ADVANCED HRMS, REVEALS GREYTHR

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Girish Rowjee, Co-founder and CEO of greytHR

Companies across the GCC region have experienced higher workforce management efficiency using advanced AI-powered HRMS, reporting 100 per cent accuracy and stronger compliance with GCC labour regulations, reveals a recent survey conducted by greytHR, the leading full-suite Human Resource Management System (HRMS) platform. Notably, organisations with around 1000 employees could complete their payroll processing in just about 30 seconds using the innovative platform. 

The findings point to an exponential shift within the GCC HR landscape, where organisations are embracing intelligent automated HR operations amid evolving labour regulations, hybrid work models, and the rise of multi-country workforces. The company’s data shows that 75 per cent of GCC companies are first-time HR automation adopters, while 24 per cent have migrated from legacy systems, highlighting the ongoing regional transition towards fully digitised, compliance-ready HR frameworks.

greytHR is powering this digital shift through its robust cloud-based infrastructure and AI-powered tools, which simplify the entire hire-to-retire employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to core HR, leave, attendance, payroll, performance, exit and engagement.

Girish Rowjee, Co-founder and CEO of greytHR, said, “At greytHR, we believe that ‘people’ are the primary pillar of any business. A company’s growth relies on the dedication and hard work of its employees. As a result of this belief, we built our HRMS to make employee lifecycle management simpler, more transparent, and more connected within the HR ecosystem. Our goal is to help organisations reinvent how they manage and support their workforce through intelligent, people-focused automation in today’s digital world.”

Through it’s a highly intelligent and unified system, greytHR has been continuously addressing the region’s distinctive challenges and maximising impact through efficient workforce management.

Sayeed Anjum, Co-Founder & CTO, greytHR, said: “As companies expand across borders and hybrid work models become the norm, HR leaders face issues such as manual payroll errors, fragmented systems and limited automation, which can directly impact compliance, employee satisfaction, and productivity. Our platform is tailored to address these pain points and the region’s unique needs by serving as an intelligent, unified system that simplifies all stages of workforce management. This further aligns with our broader vision of creating measurable impact for companies and transforming the regional HR ecosystem through digitisation.”

He further stated: “Currently, IT & ITeS, Business, and Financial Service sectors lead in HRMS adoption, at 19 per cent, 15 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively, highlighting the vital role of technology-driven and service-oriented businesses in catalysing the ongoing digital HR revolution.”

greytHR offers built-in compliance features tailored to GCC nations, including automated GPSSA deductions, multi-country payroll capabilities, and real-time analytics. Moreover, its intuitive interface and modular architecture make it accessible to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

The company showcased these advanced offerings at the recent HR Summit & Expo 2025, held in Dubai, highlighting its commitment to supporting the region’s evolving workforce needs. As GCC continues to position itself as a global business hub, greytHR remains steadfast in its efforts to positively shape the future of the regional HR industry.

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NEW SOLARWINDS REPORT: GEN AI SIGNIFICANTLY DROPS INCIDENT RESPONSE TIME FOR ITSM TEAMS

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SolarWinds, a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, has released its 2025 ITSM Report, which outlines a clear delineation between Information Technology System Management systems that leverage generative AI (GenAI) in their operations and those that do not. The report analyzed more than 2,000 ITSM systems and more than 60,000 aggregated and anonymized customer data points.

Over the past year, IT teams have moved from experimenting with automation to actively integrating generative AI into their workflows—reshaping how they diagnose issues, resolve incidents, and deliver service. What began as an efficiency play is now transforming team structures and redefining the ITSM experience itself. As GenAI becomes embedded in daily operations, organizations are uncovering new performance gains and insights that signal a broader shift in how IT service management is evolving.

The GenAI Effect: Faster Resolutions, Smarter Service

The data shows that organizations using GenAI in ITSM significantly reduce incident resolution times. SolarWinds analysts examined key AI-driven capabilities—such as automated ticket responses, knowledge article recommendations, and incident summaries—and compared resolution times before and after enabling GenAI. The results revealed:

  • The average resolution time before GenAI: 27.42 hours
  • The after GenAI enablement: 22.55 hours
  • The average time saved per incident: 4.87 hours
  • The relative reduction: 17.8 percent

The report also reviewed the resolution times of organizations that have yet to implement GenAI into their ITSM functions. The data showed a much wider gap between GenAI enablement/non-enablement than the group mentioned above:

  • The average incident resolution time (non-GenAI customers): 32.46 hours
  • The average for GenAI customers post enablement: 22.55 hours
  • The time difference: 9.91 hours per incident
  • The relative improvement: 30.5 percent

GenAI adopters represent more mature, innovation-driven ITSM operations. This consists of teams already embracing self-service, knowledge management, and automation. Their adoption signals a culture ready to drive broader organizational innovation and transformation.

Reclaiming Time and Producing ROI

When IT teams significantly reduce time spent on manual tasks, they reclaim valuable hours that can be redirected toward strategic initiatives—turning efficiency gains into tangible ROI for the organization. According to the data, which culminated all incidents logged from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025, GenAI-enabled organizations saved a cumulative 323,343 hours after GenAI enablement.

“By leveraging GenAI, ITSM teams can reclaim time and resources once spent on routine tasks, enabling them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive real business value,” said Lauren Okruch, Senior Manager for ITSM, at SolarWinds. “Looking ahead, embracing technologies like GenAI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s a strategic imperative for organizations aiming to innovate, stay ahead of change, and transform IT from a support function into a proactive driver of growth.”

Setting ITSM Teams up for Success

SolarWinds is committed to offering ITSM teams AI tooling and other innovative solutions that drive efficiency and improve user experience, including the announcement of the SolarWinds AI agent and other innovations on October 8. The SolarWinds Service Desk Premier Plan offers ITSM customers:

  • Automation workflows and runbooks
  • AI-powered suggestions and deflection tools
  • Enhanced reporting and customization options
  • Virtual Agent integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams
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VERTIV SELECTED TO SUPPLY ADVANCED AI-READY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DIGITAL REALTY’S NEW DATA CENTER CAMPUS IN ITALY

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Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, today announced it will supply next-generation infrastructure for ROM1, Digital Realty’s first data center in Italy with a planned capacity above 3 MW. The agreement extends the comprehensive suite of Vertiv solutions and existing technology implementations with Digital Realty across European locations, including Paris, Madrid, and Amsterdam.

The ROM1 facility will feature advanced cooling and power infrastructure designed specifically for high-performance computing (HPC) environments. The technology implementation includes innovative free-cooling systems that leverage Rome’s climate conditions, and highly energy-efficient power management systems designed to support high-density workloads.

The project will be implemented in phases, with the facility planned to begin operations in 2027. ROM1 will serve as a carrier-neutral facility optimized for AI and machine learning workloads. Its strategic location will establish Rome as a key digital hub, connecting to major Mediterranean cities through fiber networks and submarine cables. Expansion plans also include connectivity in Barcelona, launching in early 2026. The new facility will support the company’s growth as a leader in the Mediterranean, complementing its existing data centers in Marseille, Athens, and Crete.

“Rome is emerging as a crucial gateway for digital infrastructure between Europe and the Mediterranean,” says Alessandro Talotta, managing director, Italy of Digital Realty. “The cutting-edge technologies selected for ROM1 will help establish it as a strategic AI hub, setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and performance in high-performance computing.”

“The growing adoption of AI applications is driving the need for more sophisticated data center infrastructure,” says Karsten Winther, president for EMEA at Vertiv. “Our cooling and power solutions are built on decades of experience in supporting the most demanding applications and are designed for projected scalability while helping customers meet their efficiency objectives.”

ROM1’s technical innovations include AI-ready cooling systems that adapt to varying workload demands and high-efficiency power distribution designed for intensive computing. The facility incorporates smart environmental controls that respond to real-time conditions and are integrated with alternative energy sources. These technological choices reflect both companies’ focus on supporting advanced computing needs while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.

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