Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

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Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

Whether artificial intelligence is already replacing jobs remains one of the most fiercely contested questions in the tech economy. The answer, at least for software engineers, appears to be more complicated than many layoffs headlines suggest.

Layoffs May Cite AI, But Hiring Tells Another Story

Tech layoffs reached their highest single-month total in years in May, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, and AI was the most frequently cited reason. That has fueled the argument that automation is already displacing white-collar workers at scale.

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Yet researchers at venture firm SignalFire say the hiring data points in a different direction.

“The rationale given for lots of layoffs is consistently AI, and specifically they’ll say AI with respect to code; they’ll say one engineer could do the job of however many engineers in the past,” said Asher Bantock, SignalFire’s head of research. “What we’re seeing on the ground is a little inconsistent with that.”

Engineering Has Proved More Resilient Than Expected

SignalFire’s analysis, which tracks the careers of millions of employees across more than 80 million companies, suggests engineering was the most resilient job function in 2025. Rather than relying on layoffs data, which can be distorted because workers often delay updating their employment status after a job cut, the firm used hiring trends as a more accurate measure of real-time labor demand.

According to SignalFire’s latest State of Talent Report, total hiring across large tech companies fell 25% from 2019 levels. Engineering hiring declined far less, down just 11% over the same period.

The trend was even more striking among the 12 companies SignalFire classifies as “Tech Majors” — Alphabet, Meta, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Tesla, Uber, Airbnb, Block and Stripe. In 2025, engineers accounted for 55% of all new hires, up from 46% in 2019.

Early-stage startups showed a similar pattern. Collectively, they hired 7% more engineers in 2025 than they did in 2019, according to SignalFire’s data.

Why AI Has Not Reduced Demand For Engineers

If AI were genuinely replacing engineering talent, hiring in the profession would likely be among the first areas to weaken during a broader slowdown in technology recruitment. Instead, engineering demand has remained stronger than many other functions.

Part of the explanation may be that AI tools increase productivity without necessarily reducing workloads. Faster coding can accelerate product development, generate more ideas, and create additional infrastructure requirements, ultimately increasing the amount of technical work to be completed.

That dynamic resembles the Jevons paradox, the economic theory that greater efficiency can increase overall demand rather than reduce it. Applied to software development, the principle suggests that more productive engineers may be able to build more products, features and services.

As Bantock put it, engineers are now “suddenly a lot more productive, and there’s endless work for them to do.”

Executives Remain Divided On AI’s Labor Impact

The broader debate remains unresolved across the industry. Last year, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei warned that AI could eliminate a substantial share of entry-level white-collar jobs and significantly increase unemployment within the next five years.

Others within the sector are more cautious. Anthropic’s head of economics, Peter McCrory, told TechCrunch in March that he had not yet observed clear evidence of large-scale AI-driven workforce disruption.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has also pushed back against predictions of declining demand for software engineers. Speaking at Stanford Graduate School of Business in April, he argued that engineers at Nvidia have become busier, not less relevant, as AI tools become more capable.

“Now that all engineers at Nvidia are using agentic AI, software engineers are busier than ever,” Huang said. While AI can generate code in seconds, he argued, engineers continue to focus on developing new ideas, products and systems.

The Bottom Line For Tech Talent

For now, the available evidence suggests AI is transforming engineering work more than eliminating it. Productivity gains are changing how software is developed, but demand for technical talent remains resilient despite broader hiring pressures across the technology sector.

Rather than making engineers obsolete, AI appears to be reshaping the role itself, allowing teams to work faster while continuing to expand the range and complexity of projects they can pursue.

A committee of the European Parliament has approved €9.21 million in assistance for Cyprus from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to help address the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires.

Brussels Mobilizes €144.1 Million For Three Member States

Members of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee (BUDG) backed the mobilization of a total of €144.1 million from the EU Solidarity Fund for Cyprus, Romania and Spain following major natural disasters in 2025.

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Under the proposal, Cyprus is set to receive €9.21 million for wildfire-related damage, while Romania would receive €14.34 million for flooding and Spain €120.55 million for wildfires.

Unanimous Committee Support

Support for the proposal was unanimous, with 31 votes in favour and no votes against or abstentions.

Earlier assistance had already been provided through advance payments, including €2.3 million for Cyprus and €30 million for Spain to address immediate recovery needs. Final allocations were calculated by the European Commission based on the reported scale of damage and the fund’s eligibility criteria.

Cyprus Bears The Heavy Cost Of July Fires

Two major wildfires that broke out in Cyprus in July 2025 affected areas in the districts of Limassol and Paphos, according to the European Parliament. Loss of life, displacement of residents and extensive property damage were among the consequences of the fires, which destroyed nearly 900 private properties and disrupted education and health services in affected communities.

Elsewhere, Romania’s allocation relates to severe flooding that occurred in May and June 2025, including damage linked to the Praid salt mine. Funding for Spain is tied to large-scale wildfires driven by prolonged drought and extreme temperatures that forced thousands of people to evacuate.

Lawmakers Call For More Prevention And Resilience

Alongside the funding approval, MEPs highlighted the growing frequency of major natural disasters across Europe and called for greater investment in prevention, preparedness and climate adaptation measures.

According to the draft report, strengthening resilience could help reduce both the human and economic impact of future disasters. Approval by the European Parliament plenary and the Council of the European Union is still required before the funding can be disbursed. A plenary vote is expected in July, after which the approved assistance would be released in a single payment.

A Fund Built For Crisis Response

Since its creation in 2002, the EU Solidarity Fund has allocated more than €10 billion in support following 147 disaster events across EU member states and candidate countries.

Polish MEP Bogdan Rzońca of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) serves as rapporteur for the report, while DISY MEP Michalis Hadjipantela is the European People’s Party’s shadow rapporteur.

The Paphos regional board of tourism (Etap Paphos) says its smart signage programme continues to attract strong visitor engagement, highlighting the growing role of digital tools in destination management and tourism experiences.

Designed to replace traditional information boards with interactive and environmentally friendly signage, the initiative aims to improve access to information while supporting a more sustainable visitor experience.

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QR Code Engagement Continues To Rise

Between January and June 2026, visitors recorded more than 43,000 QR code scans across 150 smart signs installed throughout the district.

Usage remained strong throughout 2025, with the network generating more than 140,000 scans between January and December, indicating that the platform has become an established part of the region’s tourism offering.

Top Destinations Attract The Most Interest

Data from Etap Paphos show that the most frequently accessed locations in 2025 included Panagia Chrysopolitissa, the Monastery of Agios Neophytos, Kremmiotis Waterfall in Kritou Terra, the Catacomb of Agia Solomoni and the Maa-Palaiokastro archaeological site in the Municipality of Akamas.

Among international users, the largest numbers of scans came from visitors from the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Israel and Greece, excluding permanent residents of Cyprus.

Expansion Continues In 2026

Further expansion is planned this year, with the seventh phase of the programme already underway.

Eight additional smart signs are scheduled for installation at points of interest and natural landmarks in Nikokleia, Pelathousa, the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, Letymbou and the Municipality of Akamas.

By scanning a QR code, visitors can access content in their preferred language through a smartphone or tablet. Available features include audio guides, written information, photographs, videos and 360-degree virtual tours.

Digitalisation As A Tourism Strategy

According to Etap Paphos, digitalisation remains a key pillar of its broader tourism strategy, alongside accessibility, sustainable development, cultural heritage promotion, creative tourism and destination marketing.

These initiatives form part of the organisation’s long-term efforts to strengthen Paphos’ position as a year-round destination while enhancing the visitor experience through technology.

Cyprus recorded a 20.5% year-on-year increase in the prices of fuels and lubricants for personal transport in May 2026, according to Eurostat data released on Monday.

The increase was broadly in line with the European Union average of 20.7%, with fuel and lubricant prices rising across all EU member states during the period.

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Cyprus Tracks The EU Average

Among EU countries, the largest annual increases were recorded in Bulgaria (33.9%), Luxembourg (32.2%), Lithuania (30.8%) and Romania (30.4%). At the other end of the scale, Hungary registered the smallest increase at 3.5%, while annual growth ranged from 12.7% in Poland to 29.2% in France across the remaining member states.

Eurostat noted that fuel and lubricant prices generally declined across the EU until February 2026 before moving higher in subsequent months.

Diesel And Petrol Follow Different Paths

Across the European Union, diesel prices increased by 29% in May 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, while petrol prices rose by 16.2%. Monthly trends, however, were more mixed. Between April and May 2026, diesel prices across the EU fell by 5.8%, whereas petrol prices increased by 0.8%.

In Cyprus, diesel prices declined by 1.5% over the same period. Although lower than in April, the decrease was less pronounced than in Germany (-11.9%), Greece (-8.5%), Estonia (-8.4%) and Ireland (-8.1%).

Petrol prices moved in the opposite direction, rising by 2.1% between April and May. A similar pattern was observed across much of the EU, with 23 member states reporting monthly increases. Italy recorded the largest monthly rise in petrol prices at 6.9%, while decreases were reported in Germany (-5.6%), Ireland (-2.0%) and Sweden (-0.7%).

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) has informed businesses about a new survey launched by the Digital Security Authority (DSA) to assess the needs of cybersecurity startups ahead of a planned funding programme.

Industry Consultation Begins Before Funding Rollout

Launched by the DSA in its capacity as Cyprus’ National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY), the survey aims to gather information on the challenges, priorities and development needs of startups operating in the cybersecurity sector.

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Its findings will help shape a future grant scheme while providing authorities with a clearer understanding of the needs of companies active in the industry.

Grant Scheme Tied To European Cybersecurity Objectives

Implementation of the support programme will take place through the European N4CY2 project and is aligned with Regulation (EU) 2021/887, which focuses on strengthening cybersecurity capabilities, resilience and innovation across the European Union.

According to the DSA, feedback collected through the survey will contribute to the development of funding measures aimed at supporting the growth of cybersecurity startups.

Why Startup Participation Matters

Keve encouraged startups and other stakeholders to participate in the consultation process, noting that their input can help ensure future support measures reflect the realities and challenges faced by the sector.

Areas covered by the questionnaire include business development, innovation, operational challenges and future growth opportunities within the cybersecurity ecosystem.

Through direct feedback from market participants, the DSA aims to design a funding programme that is better aligned with the needs of emerging cybersecurity companies.

Survey Open Until June 26

Eligible businesses are being encouraged to complete the questionnaire and contribute to the consultation process before the scheme is launched. Responses will be accepted until June 26, 2026.

The chamber said the information submitted will be used exclusively for the design of the grant scheme and will be handled under strict confidentiality. Businesses interested in participating can access the questionnaire here.

Cyprus is strengthening links between education, research and technology through a new initiative focused on robotics, connectivity and applied science.

Hands-On Learning Meets Real-World Infrastructure

Cyprus-based maritime services firm Tototheo Global, The Heritage Private School and the Cyprus University of Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch an educational pilot programme focused on robotics, satellite connectivity, renewable energy and applied science.

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Announced on Wednesday, the initiative is designed to give students direct exposure to technologies that are rapidly reshaping business and industry, from automation and data analysis to connected systems and scientific experimentation.

Rather than treating technology as a theoretical subject, the programme will place students in a practical environment where coding, analytics and problem-solving are embedded in real equipment and measurable outcomes.

FarmBot, Starlink And Solar Power Form The Core

At the centre of the pilot are FarmBot robotic systems, which will be used for coding, automation, plant science and data analysis projects.

The systems will operate using Starlink satellite connectivity, giving participants exposure to communications technologies that support remote and digitally connected operations. Solar panels and battery storage will also be incorporated into the installations, allowing the systems to operate independently of conventional power sources.

Sensors and data-logging tools will support plant-growth experiments, creating opportunities for students to apply data analytics and artificial intelligence in a scientific setting. Tototheo Global will also provide Starlink Mini equipment and connectivity services, enabling the programme to be used across multiple learning environments.

A Model For STEM Education And Research

Academic oversight will be provided by CUT, which will offer mentorship and scientific guidance in areas including plant health, remote sensing and microbiology.

Two FarmBot installations are planned during the pilot phase: one at The Heritage Private School in Limassol and another in Kambos village.

The partners say the project is designed to combine education, research and practical application, while creating measurable learning outcomes for participants.

Executives Frame The Initiative As A Scalable Platform

“This initiative is not a standalone action, but the starting point of a broader framework connecting AI, robotics, advanced connectivity and sustainable energy,” said Tototheo Global co-chief executive officer Socrates Theodossiou.

“The objective is to create an environment where technology, learning and innovation can interact in a practical and meaningful way,” he added.

“At Heritage, we are committed to giving students opportunities that connect learning with real-world application,” said school director Kypros Kouris.

“This collaboration brings advanced technologies into the educational experience in a way that is practical, inspiring and aligned with the skills young people will need in the years ahead,” he added.

CUT rector Panayiotis Zaphiris said the pilot creates a link between education, research and applied innovation. “Through our participation, we aim to support a structured learning experience with academic depth, while also exploring the broader scientific and educational value such a model can generate,” he said.

Why The Project Matters

By combining connectivity, robotics, AI, renewable energy and academic collaboration in a classroom setting, the initiative is designed to create a forward-looking model that can evolve over time and potentially scale beyond its initial pilot phase.

For Cyprus, the programme is more than an education story. It is a test case for how private enterprise, academia and advanced infrastructure can converge to produce a more capable, technology-ready talent pipeline.

Robotex Cyprus 2026 returns this weekend with its largest participation since the Covid-19 pandemic, reflecting the growing interest in educational and sports robotics across the island.

More than 700 registrations have been submitted for the 9th Pancyprian Educational and Athletic Robotics Competition, which will take place on June 27 and 28 at the University of Cyprus Sports Centre. The event is expected to bring together hundreds of teams, participants, and coaches from across the country.

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Robotics Moves From Niche Activity To National Momentum

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Panicos Masouras, secretary of the board of directors of the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) and president of the Robotex Cyprus Organising Committee, said robotics has grown significantly in Cyprus over the past decade.

“This is the largest robotics event in Cyprus, where children, young people and adults have the opportunity to design, program and compete with their robots in dozens of different challenges,” he said.

The competition is organised by the CCS in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, the Youth Board of Cyprus and the IET – Institute of Engineering and Technology, under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

A Bigger Competition With Wider Reach

This year’s edition will feature teams from 137 organisations and is expected to be the largest Robotex Cyprus event since the pandemic.

Visitors will be able to attend free of charge and explore technology demonstrations, educational activities and robotics competitions. The programme includes line following and Sumo contests, as well as bowling, archery, shot put, rally and drone competitions.

A dedicated girls’ firefighting competition will also be held to encourage greater participation by girls in technology-related fields.

Building Interest In Stem And Future Skills

Visitors will also be able to watch drone football activities, robot-versus-human chess matches and space-related demonstrations.

Winning teams will have the opportunity to represent Cyprus at Robotex International, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea, marking the first time the event takes place outside Estonia. Masouras noted that Cypriot teams regularly return from international competitions with awards and distinctions despite competing against much larger countries.

He added that robotics helps students develop skills increasingly linked to the future labour market, including programming, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and adaptability.

The Next Challenge: Scaling Access And Investment

According to Masouras, the next step is strengthening cooperation between schools, universities, businesses and the state while expanding opportunities for children across all districts to participate in robotics programmes.

He also highlighted the importance of integrating STEM more effectively into school curricula and making greater use of robotics equipment already available in educational institutions.

The Cyprus Computer Society is supporting those efforts through educational programmes, coding initiatives and robotics workshops organised throughout the year.

Funding Remains A Pressure Point

Masouras also criticised the Research and Innovation Foundation’s decision to reduce funding for Cypriot teams participating in international robotics competitions.

He argued that the move could weaken Cyprus’ international presence in educational robotics despite the strong performance of local teams in recent years.

“The aim is not simply to create competition winners, but to cultivate and support a new generation of scientists, engineers and creators who can contribute to Cyprus’ digital transformation,” he said.

Cyprus is expected to remain among the better-performing economies in the European Union, although growth is projected to moderate this year as higher energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and softer tourism activity weigh on economic momentum.

Growth Set To Moderate After A Strong Run

In its latest Article IV Consultation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that the Cypriot economy has remained resilient despite a challenging external environment. However, the Fund expects growth to slow compared with last year as rising energy costs and regional tensions begin to affect household incomes, business confidence, and tourism flows.

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“Growth is expected to moderate this year as higher energy prices and geopolitical tensions weigh on real incomes, tourism and confidence,” the IMF said.

The Fund projects GDP growth of 2.6% in 2026, compared with 3.8% in 2025. Under a more adverse scenario involving a prolonged crisis in the Gulf region, growth could slow further to 1.7%.

Inflation Is Turning Higher Again

Alongside slower growth, inflation is expected to increase in the near term after easing significantly last year. According to the IMF, higher energy costs linked to developments in the Middle East are beginning to feed through to consumer prices.

“Inflation is projected to rise in the near term before easing. Risks are tilted to the downside, notably from a more prolonged war in the Middle East, tighter global financial conditions and weaker external demand. Medium-term prospects are more balanced, supported by strong fundamentals and reform momentum,” the Fund said.

The harmonised inflation rate, which declined to 0.8% in 2025, is forecast to rise to 3.5% this year before easing again to 1.5% in 2027.

Tourism Softens, But Fiscal And Financial Buffers Hold

While the IMF pointed to signs of weaker tourism activity, it said the broader economy continues to benefit from strong fiscal and financial fundamentals.

“Fiscal performance has remained strong, with continued surpluses and public debt declining below 60 per cent of GDP. The financial sector is sound, with strong capital and liquidity buffers and improving asset quality,” the report noted.

Domestic demand remains resilient, while exports of services continue to support economic activity. Sectors such as information and communications technology and tourism are expected to remain important contributors to growth, helping Cyprus maintain one of the strongest economic performances within the EU.

A Recovery Built On Policy Discipline

The IMF praised the Cypriot authorities for maintaining a strong fiscal position, rebuilding policy buffers and putting public debt on a clear downward trajectory. It also pointed to the country’s remarkable rebound since the 2013 banking crisis. Per capita GDP, measured against the EU average, has now returned to pre-crisis levels.

That said, the Fund urged policymakers to keep focusing on the quality of public finances. It said Cyprus should improve the efficiency of spending and taxation, prioritise high-quality public investment and maintain discipline in public wage growth.

Any support for households, the IMF added, should be temporary and tightly targeted. It welcomed the government’s recent comprehensive tax reform and a proposal to build financial assets in the social security fund.

Meta is reportedly exploring a new product inspired by the growing popularity of prediction markets. According to The New York Times, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has approved the early development of a standalone smartphone application internally known as “Arena.”

A Standalone Bet On Engagement

The proposed app would operate separately from Meta’s core social platforms. However, people familiar with the matter told The New York Times that Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta properties could still direct users toward it.

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Sources described Arena as “experimental but a top priority.” At this stage, the concept reportedly does not involve real money. Instead, users would earn points for correctly predicting outcomes across selected topics, creating a system that resembles a competitive game. The introduction of financial elements could come at a later stage.

Why Meta Is Paying Attention Now

Prediction markets have evolved rapidly over the past year. Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi have generated significant trading volumes and attracted growing attention from investors, users, and regulators.

As of April, activity across the platforms had reached tens of billions of dollars, highlighting demand for markets that allow users to make predictions on politics, economics, culture, and current events. Meta is not the first major technology company to take notice. Last summer, X partnered with Polymarket, reflecting broader interest in prediction markets across the digital platform sector.

Growth Potential Comes With Regulatory Risk

The sector, however, continues to face legal and regulatory scrutiny.

Prediction markets have been linked to allegations involving insider trading, the use of non-public information, and potential conflicts with state gambling laws. One widely reported case involved a former special forces soldier accused of using insider knowledge to profit from an operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In another case, former congressman George Santos is under investigation over alleged Kalshi-related trades.

Several U.S. states have also taken legal action against prediction market operators, arguing that certain products may violate gambling regulations.

The Bigger Strategic Question

Meta’s reported interest in Arena comes as digital platforms continue to explore formats that encourage greater user participation. The administration in Washington has taken a relatively favorable view of prediction markets, even as legal disputes surrounding the sector continue. How those regulatory questions evolve could influence the future development of the industry.

For Meta, Arena remains an early-stage project. However, the company’s reported interest highlights the growing attention prediction markets are receiving from some of the world’s largest technology platforms.