Salt-Based Batteries Break China's Grip, DEF CON Hackers Hit a Plane, Lawmakers Race to Rescue CISA, and the FCC's Sweeping Drone and Robot Bans
News and Updates: Salt Batteries Arrive: U.S. startups are scaling up sodium-ion batteries that swap rare minerals for table salt, promising cheaper, safer, longer-lasting grid storage and a way to break dependence on China. Hackers Jam a Delta Flight's Wi-Fi: DEF CON attendees allegedly jammed a Las Vegas–Atlanta flight's Wi-Fi and broadcast a fake "Delta WiFi Fast" network to phish passengers, triggering an FBI investigation. A Reckless "Evil Twin" Stunt: Security pros called the alleged mid-flight attack "catastrophically stupid," warning it could violate the Communications Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and tarnish ethical researchers' reputations. Lawmakers Move to Rescue CISA: After the water-plant attacks, bipartisan lawmakers are pushing to reverse cuts that stripped the cyber agency of a third of its workforce and $300 million, leaving it "half-staffed." A Wake-Up Call: Officials from both parties call rebuilding CISA "an investment in national resilience, not a partisan issue," as $20 million was carved out to recruit 600 new workers. FCC Targets LiDAR Drones: The FCC moved to retroactively revoke authorization for "military-grade" drones—defining that broadly enough to include consumer models like the DJI Air 3S, Avata 360, and Mini 5 Pro that use LiDAR obstacle avoidance. Broad Fallout for Pros: The proposed ban would also hit thermal-camera drones used by first responders, farming drones, and delivery drones; existing owners are unaffected, but new sales could end after the Sept. 2 comment deadline. Robot Vacuums Swept In Too: Citing national security and data-collection fears (home layouts, camera images), the FCC extended restrictions to future "advanced robotic devices," affecting Chinese makers like Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Xiaomi—current devices stay usable.
