AP Technology SummaryBrief at 12:12 a.m. EDT

Iran-linked hackers take aim at US and other targets, raising risk of cyberattacks during war

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-Iranian hackers are targeting sites in the Middle East and starting to stretch into the United States during the war. Hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for a significant cyberattack against a U.S. medical device company. They've also tried to penetrate cameras in Middle Eastern countries to improve Iran's missile targeting and targeted data centers in the region. National security and cybersecurity experts say Iran's government will look to leverage its cyber capabilities against the military dominance of the United States. American ports, waste water treatment plans and power stations are among the most likely targets.

Lawyers in landmark social media addiction trial make final appeals to the jury

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After about a month of hearing from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, a jury has heard closing arguments before heading to the deliberation room to decide whether social media companies should be liable for harms caused to children using their platforms. Closing statements in the trial began Thursday at the Spring Street Courthouse in Los Angeles. Lawyers representing the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman, and those representing the two defendants, Meta and Google-owned YouTube, made their respective cases to the jurors.

Cambodia drafts its first law targeting online scam centers

SIEM REAP, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia has drafted its first law to crack down on online scam centers that fuel fraud and forced labor. Officials said Friday the Cabinet approved tough penalties for people who run tech fraud sites. The information minister calls it a key tool against scams and money laundering. The law sets five to 10 years in prison and big fines for organizers. It adds longer terms for trafficking, violence or deaths tied to escape attempts. A senior minister says raids since July have targeted 250 sites and shut about 200. Parliament needs to approve the bill but experts doubt crackdowns alone will break protection networks.

One Tech Tip: How do you use an f-stop?

Film photography is making a comeback, and but analog cameras are not as easy to use as digital ones. For One Tech Tip, AP photojournalist George Walker IV explains the basics for beginners. He says shooting on film helps you learn photography basics because every shot matters. You'll need film but beginners should consider using black and white instead of color because it's more forgiving. Pay attention to the ISO number, or film speed. If you need a camera, there's a thriving secondhand market for vintage cameras. Film needs to be loaded by hand. Analog photographers using manual cameras need to master using shutter speed and f-stops.

Thiel brings his Antichrist lectures to the Vatican’s doorstep, and Catholic institutions back away

ROME (AP) — One of the hottest tickets in Rome these days is for a four-lecture series on the Antichrist being given by Silicon Valley tech billionaire Peter Thiel. The invitation-only conference, from Sunday to Wednesday, has proven so controversial that the Catholic institutions initially associated with it have all denied official involvement. Thiel is a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, the data-mining company that has been assisting the Trump administration’s migrant deportation crackdown. An early donor to the political career of Vice President JD Vance, Thiel is also deeply interested in the apocalyptic concept of the Antichrist and end-of-world Armageddon.

Google overhauls its Maps app, adding in more AI features to help people get around

Google Maps will depend more heavily on artificial intelligence to help people figure out where they want to go and the best way to get there as part of a major redesign unveiled Thursday. The overhaul driven by Google’s Gemini technology will introduce two AI features into a digital mapping service used by more than 2 billion people worldwide. One tool called Ask Maps will expand upon conversational abilities that Google brought to the service last November answer users looking for suggestions on where to go to get things done. The other called Immersive Navigation will feature 3D renderings of places to help users get their bearings as they drive.

US medical equipment company Stryker says cyberattack disrupted its global networks

PORTAGE, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. medical equipment company Stryker says a cyberattack has disrupted its global networks. Stryker says it believes the “incident is contained,” though it didn't elaborate. The company says the impact is still being investigated. Stryker is based in Michigan and makes a variety of medical products, from artificial joints to hospital beds. It had revenue of more than $25 billion in 2025. The Wall Street Journal says the logo of a hacking group linked to Iran appeared on company login pages.

Microsoft and retired military chiefs back AI company Anthropic in court fight against Pentagon

Microsoft and a group of retired military leaders are backing Anthropic in court to block the Trump administration from labeling the AI company a supply chain risk. In separate legal filings, Microsoft and the ex-military chiefs are challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s action last week to shut Anthropic out of military work by labeling its AI products as a national security threat. The Pentagon took the action against Anthropic after an unusually public dispute over the company’s refusal to allow unrestricted military use of its AI model Claude. Microsoft asks for a judge to order a temporary lifting of the designation to allow for more “reasoned discussion.”

Tracing the US military's learning curve on fighting Iran's drones: What to know

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Iran war is testing America's ability to combat swarms of cheap drones that have become a staple of the modern battlefield after Ukraine and Russia demonstrated how effective they can be. Iran launched so many drones across the region at once that some slipped through the defenses, including one that killed six U.S. soldiers in Kuwait. Experts stress the U.S. military has shot down the majority of Iran’s drones. But critics say too often missiles that cost millions of dollars are being used to down small drones that cost tens of thousands. American forces face a steep learning curve as they scramble to deploy more cost-efficient defenses against Iran's Shahed drones.

What to Stream: BTS, 'The Immortal Man,' a new 'Peaky Blinders' movie, Luke Combs and Crimson Desert

Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara teaming up to star in a new psychological thriller for Apple TV called “Imperfect Women” and fresh music from both BTS and Luke Combs are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of March 16 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists:  A new “Peaky Blinders” movie called “The Immortal Man,” spring’s buzziest video game, the ambitious role-playing adventure Crimson Desert, and Bradley Cooper directs Will Arnett and Laura Dern in his third feature, “Is This Thing On?”