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# Democratic sweep puts AI and cybersecurity policy in the hot seat
- URL: https://www.metacurity.com/democratic-sweep-puts-ai-and-cybersecurity-policy-in-the-hot-seat/
- Published: 2026-11-04T14:35:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-04T14:35:29.000Z
- Description: A new Democratic Congress promises intensified scrutiny of frontier AI labs, Silicon Valley giants, and the Trump administration's dismantling of federal cybersecurity defenses.
- Author: Cynthia B Brumfield
- Tags: Cybersecurity, News, #no-feature-image

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/ca/feca6970-c474-4029-9fd4-35f85e158811/content/images/2026/11/1280px-US_Democratic_Party_2025_logo.svg-1.png)

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### Last night's Democratic sweep of the legislative landscape, what Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen of Axios call an epic shutdown that obliterates "almost everything President Trump, and a Republican Party remade wholly in his image, built over the past decade in American politics," will likely produce massive changes in the tech industry, altering the shape of AI safety and policies and federal government approaches to cybersecurity.

The most immediate consequences will likely be congressional investigations, oversight hearings, state legislation, and pressure on Silicon Valley giants and AI companies, challenging the tech and AI companies' ability to operate thus far with impunity and virtually no federal scrutiny.

Raymond James policy analyst Ed Mills identified several potential consequences of Democratic control, including safety standards for frontier AI models, independent evaluations of advanced AI systems, mandatory reporting of AI incidents, and greater accountability for data center developers. Frontier AI safety, surveillance, semiconductor exports, and data center development will also likely become topics of heightened scrutiny by the new Democratically controlled Congress.

On the cybersecurity front, the Trump administration's successful efforts to hamper the functioning of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will no doubt become a major and ongoing focus of Democratic oversight. 

Congress could also take on the intersection of AI and increased cyber risks, with two Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee, Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the panel’s ranking member, and Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA) having already reintroduced legislation in early October that would direct the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to establish a task force on AI to help mitigate national security and safety challenges posed by the emerging capabilities.

Election security and AI-generated disinformation will also likely become a particular focus of Democratic reformers. In late October, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Reps. Jim Himes, (D-CT), and Joe Morelle (D-NY) sent a letter to 25 tech giants demanding stronger election protections, emphasizing the dangers of AI-generated content, foreign influence operations and hallucinated chatbot responses about voting procedures. ([Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen / Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/behind-the-curtain-the-trump-obliteration?ref=metacurity.com), [Maria Curi / Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/ai-data-center-election-slowdown?ref=metacurity.com), [Jiaxing Li and Selena Li / Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-midterm-drubbing-demonstrates-power-data-centre-opponents-2026-11-04/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com), [Jason Koebler / 404 Media](https://www.404media.co/there-is-one-fight-american-voters-reject-tech-oligarchy/?ref=metacurity.com), [Ben Werschkul / Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/democrats-won-control-of-congress-their-economic-agenda-is-set-to-target-healthcare-tariffs-and-trumps-allies-052305694.html?ref=metacurity.com), [Fenwick](https://www.fenwick.com/insights/publications/congressional-oversight-2027-post-midterm-risk-map-technology-sector?ref=metacurity.com), [Edward Graham / NextGov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/10/tech-bills-week-transparency-agency-ai-use-creating-cisa-ai-task-force-and-more/416541/?ref=metacurity.com), [David DiMolfetta / NextGov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2026/10/democrats-warn-tech-firms-election-security-backsliding-ahead-midterms/416701/?ref=metacurity.com)

**Related:** [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/11/04/voters-pass-over-20-ballot-measures-ban-or-restrict-data-centers/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CNBC*](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/04/elon-musk-midterms-ai-data-centers.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Fortune*](https://fortune.com/2026/11/04/ohio-data-center-ballot-measures-midterm-elections/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Wall Street Journal*](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/midterm-election-results-2026-latest-updates/card/voters-rejecting-data-center-development-in-ballot-measures-G2USC5DVgAzw4W8aODHa?ref=metacurity.com)

### A cyberattack on several French blood banks sought to raise temperatures to extremely high levels but was thwarted before it could do any damage to blood products or samples, authorities said. 

The French Blood Establishment, or EFS, said "temperature and defrosting thresholds were raised to extremely high levels" on Monday at three of its cold-storage sites for plasma, in a statement released late Tuesday, November 3\. "No health consequences have been identified, and no blood products were lost," it said. The cyberattack hit a supplier of refrigeration equipment at three EFS sites.

The products stored were bags of plasma intended for transfusions and plasma used to manufacture medicines, and were either transferred or secured, the statement said. "Monitoring and alarm systems quickly detected the anomalies, allowing staff to take action to ensure that no blood products or samples were compromised," it said.

The EFS said blood collection and distribution operations remain uninterrupted, ensuring continued services for patients at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The incident comes after supermarkets in a number of European countries reported this week that their fridges and freezers warmed up after they were remotely taken over, resulting in tons of spoiled food at a total cost of millions of euros. ([Le Monde with Associated Press](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/11/04/new-cyberattack-targets-french-blood-banks%5F6771517%5F7.html?ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*Telegraph*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/04/hackers-hit-french-blood-bank/?ref=metacurity.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/ca/feca6970-c474-4029-9fd4-35f85e158811/content/images/2026/11/image-9.png)

### Binance disclosed that North Korean hackers used a mix of social engineering and malicious software to pull off last week’s $6.3 billion heist, the biggest in crypto history. 

Speaking to reporters, company executives revealed that the hackers targeted a Binance engineer on LinkedIn and arranged a series of fake job interviews in order to persuade the employee to download an “assignment” that let them invade the company’s systems.

In a related report, Binance explained that: “Software Engineer B was contacted through a legitimate job-hunting platform by an individual posing as a Project Director. Software Engineer B had a profile on the platform that referenced his experience at Binance. The purported Project Director arranged a first-round interview with an HR representative, followed by a second-round interview with an individual claiming to be the CEO of a fictitious company.”

The report also provided additional details about a sophisticated months-long scheme that involved not only the fake LinkedIn recruitment, but also a separate ad campaign that earlier tricked another engineer into downloading a malicious version of a popular software package called Homebrew.

According to Binance, the engineer in question did not download the Homebrew software through the company’s regular channels, but instead clicked on an internet ad promoting a tampered version of it.

Binance says it detected the fake Homebrew download and removed it from the employee’s machine, but not before the hackers discovered critical information about the engineer’s role and others who managed the company’s wallets.

It was the combination of these exploits—the fake LinkedIn outreach and the knowledge gleaned from the tampered Homebrew download—that allowed the North Korean hackers to take over a series of Binance wallets and drain them of funds. ([Jeff John Roberts / Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/11/03/binance-hack-details-linkedin/?ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/11/03/how-malware-bogus-job-interview-let-attackers-nab-63b-binance/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Binance Blog*](https://www.binance.com/en/blog/community/3229153443759566763?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CNBC*](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/03/binance-co-ceo-teng-says-hackers-used-fake-job-interviews-to-steal-6point3-billion-in-crypto.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Reuters*](https://www.reuters.com/world/binance-says-hackers-used-fake-job-interview-compromise-computer-before-63-2026-11-03/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Block*](https://www.theblock.co/news/business/2026-11-03-binance-hack-incident-report-north-korea-fake-job-interview-ai-tool-432406?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Verge*](https://www.theverge.com/news/1025576/binance-cyrpto-theft-explained?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*TheStreet*](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/articles/mace-ai-explains-6-34-023552326.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Korea Herald*](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10925230?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck5ynwz9gy67o?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CryptoSlate*](https://cryptoslate.com/binance-stopped-57-north-korean-cyber-threats-but-fell-for-a-fake-job-interview/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Register*](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/11/03/north-korean-fake-job-interview-led-to-63b-binance-heist/5307398?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Record*](https://therecord.media/binance-cryptocurrency-theft-months-long-campaign-nkorea?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*PCMag*](https://www.pcmag.com/news/binance-traces-63b-hack-to-employee-duped-by-fake-job-interview?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Information*](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/binance-says-hackers-used-bogus-job-interview-ai-tool?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*TechCrunch*](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/researchers-warned-of-north-korean-hacking-tactics-years-before-record-6-3b-binance-heist/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Decrypt*](https://decrypt.co/382420/five-ways-north-korea-breaks-into-crypto-firms-and-how-binance-was-hacked?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Cyber Security News*](https://cybersecuritynews.com/fake-job-interviews-binance-heist/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Security Affairs*](https://securityaffairs.com/202369/cyber-crime/binance-hack-how-fake-job-interviews-and-ai-abuse-led-to-a-6-34-billion-attack.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*New York Post*](https://nypost.com/2026/11/03/business/binance-says-north-korean-hackers-conducted-fake-job-interviews-to-hack-engineers-laptop/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Yahoo Finance*](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/article/fake-job-interviews-helped-hackers-pull-off-binances-record-crypto-heist-203629350.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Axios*](https://www.axios.com/2026/11/03/north-korea-job-interview-binance-heist?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/03/technology/binance-report.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Wired*](https://www.wired.com/story/binance-says-hackers-used-well-known-tricks-to-carry-out-a-dollar634-billion-heist/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785780)*,* [*CNBC Technology*](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/03/binance-co-ceo-teng-says-hackers-used-fake-job-interviews-to-steal-6point3-billion-in-crypto.html?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785967)*,* [*Bleeping Computer*](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/binance-says-fake-job-interview-led-to-63-billion-crypto-heist/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786057)*,* [*Cyber Security News*](https://cybersecuritynews.com/fake-job-interviews-binance-heist/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786036)*,* [*Sydney Morning Herald*](https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/the-fake-job-interview-that-helped-spark-a-9-billion-heist-20261104-p61b5i.html?ref=rss&utm%5Fmedium=rss&utm%5Fsource=rss%5Ffeed&mid=1#cid=3785878)*,* [*Nextgov/FCW - All Content*](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2026/11/binance-says-fake-job-interview-helped-north-korean-hackers-steal-63-billion-crypto/417004/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785837)*,* [*Security Affairs*](https://securityaffairs.com/202369/cyber-crime/binance-hack-how-fake-job-interviews-and-ai-abuse-led-to-a-6-34-billion-attack.html?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785805)*,* [*Tech Xplore*](https://techxplore.com/news/2026-11-binance-reveals-hackers-fake-job.html?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785952)*,* [*Insider Paper*](https://insiderpaper.com/binance-reveals-hackers-used-fake-job-interviews-malicious-code-in-6-bn-heist/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786107)*,* [*Slashdot*](https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/11/03/1939254/binance-says-hackers-used-fake-job-interviews-ai-tool-to-steal-63-billion-in-crypto?utm%5Fsource=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm%5Fmedium=feed&mid=1#cid=3785782)*,* [*The Korea Times News*](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261104/us-reiterates-concerns-over-n-korean-cybercrime-following-kim-yo-jongs-denial-of-binance-theft?utm%5Fsource=rss&mid=1#cid=3785984)*,* [*TechCrunch*](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/researchers-warned-of-north-korean-hacking-tactics-years-before-record-6-3b-binance-heist/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785995)

### Chinese tech giant Tencent released Hy4, a new AI model it said was designed ​with limits intended to reduce the risk that it could be ‌used for cyberattacks or harmful biological research.

Tencent said it restricted the model's cybersecurity training to defensive uses, such as identifying software flaws and helping fix them. It excluded material on ​building hacking tools, breaking into systems, and testing systems for weaknesses.

The ​Shenzhen-based company and developer of WeChat, China's most popular app with ⁠over 1 billion monthly active users, said internal security specialists tested Hy4 and ​found no sign that it posed higher risks in helping users break into ​software or bypass security protections. Tencent also said its testing found that the model was not capable of meaningfully making harmful biological experiments easier to carry out.

The release comes at ​a time of surging global concern over AI-powered hacking and follows Tencent's disclosure ​last month that AI agents it used to test third-party models displayed unintended web-browsing behavior. ‌Researchers ⁠said agents linked to Tencent Cloud had sought information from Alibaba's Amap service. ([Nichiket Sunil and Eduardo Baptista / Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/tencent-rolls-out-ai-model-trained-with-limited-cybersecurity-data-amid-hacking-2026-11-04/?ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*Tencent*](https://www.tencent.com/tencent-launches-hy4-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-leading-open-source-ai-models/?ref=metacurity.com)

### Thailand's opposition leader was targeted by a spyware attack, his party said, but a government spokesman denied a claim that the state could be behind the attempted surveillance.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, whose progressive People's Party came second in February's election, shared in a social media post on Tuesday screenshots from his device of a "threat notification" from Apple.

"Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple Account," the notification said.

"This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do."

It said the notification was sent to "targeted users in 110 countries" and did not identify the attackers.

A cybersecurity watchdog said in 2022 dozens of Thai democracy activists were targeted by spyware known as Pegasus during the height of anti-government protests two years earlier.

Pegasus software, created by Israeli firm NSO Group, can extract data and activate cameras or microphones once it has successfully infiltrated a mobile device.

People's Party deputy spokesperson Napath Narangsiya told AFP that Natthaphong was the only party member who received the warning from Apple. ([Channel News Asia](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-natthaphong-ruengpanyawut-peoples-party-opposition-6517071?ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*Bloomberg*](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-11-04/thai-spyware-alerts-on-opposition-leaders-phones-prompt-demands-for-probe?ref=metacurity.com)

### The National Cyber Security Centre, part of the UK’s signals intelligence agency GCHQ, said the latest advancements in AI models are “transforming cyber operations” by making it easier for attackers to identify vulnerabilities, target victims and operate more efficiently.

“By 2028, it is highly likely China, Russia, and other nation states will routinely use AI cyber to achieve their geopolitical goals with the UK facing an increase in scale and speed of sophisticated cyber attacks,” the NCSC said in its annual cyber security review.

The warnings come after a spate of high-profile cyber attacks targeting companies and infrastructure around the world, many of which are thought to have been aided by rapidly advancing AI tools. ([Tom Wilson / Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/131d9506-04b1-49b8-ba79-b0d783219c40?syn-25a6b1a6=1&ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*National Cyber Security Centre*](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/annual-review-2026?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/nov/03/ai-powered-malware-artificial-intelligence-hacking-critical-uk-infrastructure?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*National Cyber Security Centre*](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/cyber-chief-uk-facing-ai-powered-attacks-on-critical-infrastructure-in-two-years?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Decrypt*](https://decrypt.co/382411/uk-says-ai-powered-ransomware-attack-on-critical-infrastructure-highly-likely-by-2028?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*BleepingComputer*](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/uk-school-estate-hit-by-3am-ransomware-in-suspected-ai-assisted-attack/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Register*](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/11/03/britain-on-notice-ai-powered-ransomware-attacks-to-arrive-by-2028/5307200?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Luiza's Newsletter*](https://www.luizasnewsletter.com/p/deep-dive-build-ai-cyber-resilience?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Infosecurity*](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ncsc-ai-ransomware-threat-uk-cni/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Sun*](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40890595/uk-freezer-cyber-attack/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Cyber Security News*](https://cybersecuritynews.com/ai-could-accelerate-ransomware/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Neowin*](https://www.neowin.net/news/uk-cyber-agency-warns-legacy-systems-must-prepare-for-next-generation-attacks/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckq6ndq8l6v0o?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*ITPro*](https://www.itpro.com/security/cyber-attacks/the-ncsc-says-ai-powered-cyber-attacks-are-coming-for-uk-firms-but-they-still-need-to-sharpen-up-on-basic-security-practices?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Telecompaper*](https://www.telecompaper.com/news/ncsc-highlights-growing-threat-of-ai-enabled-cyber-attacks--1587708?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Sky News*](https://news.sky.com/story/cyber-attacks-affect-uk-meat-processing-industry-top-security-official-says-13607346?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Cointelegraph*](https://cointelegraph.com/news/uk-warns-ai-ransomware-attack-on-infrastructure-highly-likely-by-2028?ref=metacurity.com)

### Users of mSeven’s mSecure password manager have received a notification: Suspicious activity was detected in connection with the mSecure password manager app. 

Anyone who uses the app to store login credentials now needs to take action.

Mastodon user Hal Pomeranz posted a screenshot of the message. Written in English, it says that mSeven Software recently detected suspicious activity in connection with the mSecure app. In response, the company launched an investigation and took unspecified steps to contain the problem. It also brought in outside IT security experts. The email was sent to current and former mSecure customers. Recipients also posted the message in mSeven’s support forum.

Because of the potential security implications of the IT incident, mSeven recommends immediately securing all confidential information stored in mSecure. That could include changing passwords, setting up or resetting two-factor authentication, or removing existing passkeys. mSeven regrets any inconvenience this may cause. ([Dirk Knop / Heise Online](https://www.heise.de/en/news/mSecure-password-manager-Secure-your-credentials-after-an-IT-incident-11509870.html?ref=metacurity.com))

**Related:** [*The Register - Security*](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/11/03/password-manager-msecure-tells-users-to-change-passwords-wont-say-why/5307296?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786045)*,* [*Cyber Security News*](https://cybersecuritynews.com/msecure-security-incident/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786037)*,* [*TechRound*](https://techround.co.uk/cybersecurity/new-risks-facing-always-connected-businesses/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3785886)*,* [*CyberInsider*](https://cyberinsider.com/msecure-security-incident-password-change-warning/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786134)*,* [*SC Media*](https://www.scworld.com/brief/password-manager-msecure-alerts-users-to-suspicious-activity?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Shattered*](https://shattered.io/msecure-suspicious-activity-reset-passwords-2fa-passkeys-2026/?ref=metacurity.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/ca/feca6970-c474-4029-9fd4-35f85e158811/content/images/2026/11/image-8.png)

Source: @hal\_pomeranz@infosec.exchange.

### According to sources, the US government order posted last week that jettisons Acronis products from federal civilian systems was years in the making and focused largely on the firm’s development ties in Russia.

The Swiss cybersecurity firm had been under the microscope since the first Trump administration, where officials had scrutinized it under Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence guidelines — or FOCI — according to a former U.S. official with knowledge of the matter.

On top of this, key areas of scrutiny included whether Russian developers remained involved in Acronis products’ codebases, and whether the company had adequately mitigated related supply chain risks, according to a former DHS official aware of the efforts.

Both former officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to communicate sensitive information about how Acronis has been examined across the Biden and Trump administrations. Neither said there was concrete evidence produced indicating Acronis offerings had backdoors communicating with Moscow. ([David DiMolfetta / NextGov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2026/11/us-order-purge-acronis-tied-years-scrutiny-over-russian-ties/416970/?ref=metacurity.com))

***Related:*** [*Washington Technology*](https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2026/11/us-order-purge-acronis-tied-years-scrutiny-over-russian-ties/416977/?mid=1&ref=metacurity.com#cid=3786063)

### CrowdStrike is betting that it has a solution to rogue artificial intelligence.

The cybersecurity vendor launched an AI kill switch designed to let security teams stop internal AI agents that go rogue, block them from relaunching, and cut off their enterprise network access. The tool is built into CrowdStrike’s Falcon Guardian platform, launched in September to secure AI agents. CrowdStrike also announced an integration with Anthropic’s Claude Cowork.

“Having the ability to control and turn off, and make a decision and decide, I think that’s really important for this next chapter of AI adoption,” Chief Business Officer Daniel Bernard said.

A string of recent high-profile cyber incidents has added urgency to calls for some emergency shutdown mechanism.

The Hugging Face breach orchestrated by rogue OpenAI agents in July was particularly alarming for businesses. Last week, Binance disclosed the largest crypto cyberattack on record, and hackers have recently targeted hundreds of refrigerators and freezers at supermarkets in France. ([Samantha Subin / CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/03/crowdstrike-ai-kill-switch-rogue-agents.html?ref=metacurity.com))

***Related:*** [*CrowdStrike*](https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/press-releases/crowdstrike-extends-anthropics-claude-cowork/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CrowdStrike*](https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/press-releases/crowdstrike-introduces-ai-kill-switch-for-ai-safety/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Quartz*](https://qz.com/crowdstrike-ai-kill-switch-rogue-agents-110326?ref=metacurity.com)

### CrowdStrike has agreed to acquire two artificial-intelligence security startups for a combined $495 million, expanding its push to monitor and contain AI agents as enterprises rush to deploy the technology.

The cybersecurity company will pay roughly $400 million for Palo Alto, Calif.-based Fiddler AI, founded in 2018, which develops software to monitor and explain agent behavior. CrowdStrike is also buying Dreadnode, an automated security-testing platform founded in 2023 that probes AI models for flaws before deployment, for about $95 million. 

CrowdStrike said it would pay most of the purchase price for both in cash, with a portion in stock subject to vesting conditions. ([James Rundle / Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/pro/cybersecurity/crowdstrike-to-buy-two-ai-security-startups-for-495-million-b0ef6a9e?ref=metacurity.com))

***Related:*** [*TechCrunch*](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/crowdstrike-to-shell-out-nearly-500m-for-2-ai-security-startups-as-the-market-for-securing-agents-takes-off/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CrowdStrike*](https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/crowdstrike-to-acquire-fiddler/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Business Wire*](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261102259259/en/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*SecurityWeek*](https://www.securityweek.com/crowdstrike-reportedly-paying-495-million-for-ai-security-firms-fiddler-dreadnode/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*CyberScoop*](https://cyberscoop.com/crowdstrike-acquires-fiddler-dreadnode-ai-security/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*The Daily Caller*](https://dailycaller.com/2026/11/03/crowdstrike-unveils-ai-kill-switch?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Yahoo Finance*](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/crowdstrike-reportedly-buy-ai-security-114811156.html?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*RuntimeWire*](https://runtimewire.com/article/crowdstrike-dreadnode-fiddler-ai-kill-switch?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Verdict*](https://www.verdict.co.uk/crowdstrike-agreed-acquire-fiddler-ai/?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Seeking Alpha*](https://seekingalpha.com/news/4663174-crowdstrike-to-buy-two-ai-security-startups-for-495m-wsj?ref=metacurity.com)*,* [*Forbes*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/timkeary/2026/11/03/crowdstrike-looks-to-an-ai-kill-switch-to-beat-rogue-agents/?ref=metacurity.com)

### Best Thing of the Day: The Smart Money Is With Mamdani on This One

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani [does not think](https://www.wired.com/story/the-big-interview-podcast-nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani/?ref=metacurity.com) James Dolan's surveillance of attendees at Madison Square Garden events should be allowed and says it is indicative of much that is wrong in our country today in terms of the use of technology.

### Bonus Best Thing of the Day: The Musk Smackdown You Were Hoping For

Tech billionaire and Republican megadonor Elon Musk [was among](https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-dealt-major-blow-in-midterm-elections-2026/?ref=metacurity.com) the biggest losers of election night, after spending $446 million to boost candidates that failed to win their races.

### Extra Bonus Best Thing of the Day: Goldman Sachs Is On to Something

For months, Goldman Sachs Group allowed bankers to use Anthropic PBC’s Claude Code and Microsoft's GitHub for work, but now the bank is [limiting the use ](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/capital-markets/goldman-restricts-traders-and-bankers-from-using-some-ai-tools?utm%5Fsource=the%20new%20stack&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcontent=inline-mention&utm%5Fcampaign=tns%20platform)of those tools to engineers only.

### Worst Thing of the Day: AI Agents Battle for Survival of the Fittest

The next, far more severe loss-of-control AI threat comes from "persistent" and "sovereign" agents [that never cease](https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/sovereign-agents?ref=metacurity.com), pursuing their own open-ended survival indefinitely.

### Bonus Worst Thing of the Day: Use Our AI, or We Will Hurt Your Children

Google [said](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/11/03/google-will-cut-off-search-engine-access-to-schools-banning-generative-ai/?ref=metacurity.com) K-12 school districts that block its generative artificial intelligence tools will also lose the ability to use an AI-free version of Google Search, potentially cutting off access to the world’s most pervasive search engine for millions of students countrywide.

### Closing Thought

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/ca/feca6970-c474-4029-9fd4-35f85e158811/content/images/2026/11/image-7.png)