
Rory Bathgate
Rory Bathgate is a staff writer at IT Pro covering the latest news on UK networking and data protection, privacy and compliance. He can sometimes be found on the IT Pro Podcast, swapping a keyboard for a microphone to discuss the latest in tech trends.
In his free time, Rory enjoys photography, video editing and graphic design alongside good science fiction. After graduating from the University of Kent with BA in English and American Literature, Rory took an MA in Eighteenth-Century Studies at King’s College London. He joined IT Pro in 2022 as a graduate, after four years in student journalism. You can contact Rory at rory.bathgate@futurenet.com or on LinkedIn.
Windows 10 users locked out of devices by unskippable Microsoft 365 advert

bugs
Windows 10 users locked out of devices by unskippable Microsoft 365 advert
Entering payment information was the only way for some to enter their own PCs
3 Feb 2023
OpenAI launches $20 ChatGPT Plus in search of greater revenue

Business strategy
OpenAI launches $20 ChatGPT Plus in search of greater revenue
The new paid subscription tier will offer users improved access to the service, and a model built for businesses could be on the way
2 Feb 2023
Lacklustre leadership from DCMS delays UK-wide biometric identity platform rollout

Policy & legislation
Lacklustre leadership from DCMS delays UK-wide biometric identity platform rollout
For years the UK government has longed for a fully functional digital identity system, but it isn't helping those who are crying out to build it
2 Feb 2023
Intel slashes staff salaries, bonuses amid disappointing financial performance

Business strategy
Intel slashes staff salaries, bonuses amid disappointing financial performance
The money-saving drive comes as the hardware sector has been hit especially hard by the economic headwinds facing all tech companies
1 Feb 2023
CISA: Phishing campaign targeting US federal agencies went undetected for months

phishing
CISA: Phishing campaign targeting US federal agencies went undetected for months
Threat actors used legitimate remote access software to maliciously target federal employees
26 Jan 2023
GoTo admits hackers stole customer backups in LastPass breach

hacking
GoTo admits hackers stole customer backups in LastPass breach
In addition to losing encrypted backups such as hashed passwords, the firm has confirmed hackers stole an encryption key relating to the data
25 Jan 2023
GTA V vulnerability exposes PC users to partial remote code execution attacks

vulnerability
GTA V vulnerability exposes PC users to partial remote code execution attacks
Millions of GTA Online players could fall prey to malware or data corruption
23 Jan 2023
MSI to release securer BIOS settings after critical flaw discovered

vulnerability
MSI to release securer BIOS settings after critical flaw discovered
The firm has admitted it essentially disabled Secure Boot on its motherboards in an attempt to improve customisability
20 Jan 2023
The tech industry needs to unionise now more than ever

Careers & training
The tech industry needs to unionise now more than ever
Companies hoping to boost productivity should embrace unionisation so employees aren’t constantly anxious over job security or childcare arrangements
20 Jan 2023
Tech industry takes vast lead in green energy spending, biggest companies vie for top spot

Business strategy
Tech industry takes vast lead in green energy spending, biggest companies vie for top spot
Big tech has doubled down on clean power contracts as the sector seeks to dodge energy costs and meet climate goals
19 Jan 2023
Cost of living crisis driving salary concerns for C-suites

Business strategy
Cost of living crisis driving salary concerns for C-suites
IT leaders have indicated that strategy changes for hiring and training will be necessary to beat the talent shortage while remaining on budget
18 Jan 2023
Google Ads malvertising campaign prompts questions around Search security

malware
Google Ads malvertising campaign prompts questions around Search security
A leading security researcher has called into question why Google still allows malware links to top search results
18 Jan 2023
Fixing STEM's gender bias with more classroom intervention

Careers & training
Fixing STEM's gender bias with more classroom intervention
Experts suggest the government must step in to break generational barriers and ramp up promising schemes
16 Jan 2023
Microsoft’s $10 billion OpenAI investment could end AI competition before it starts

Business strategy
Microsoft’s $10 billion OpenAI investment could end AI competition before it starts
Investment on this scale is likely to put Microsoft ahead of rival firms on text processing, but questions remain around its profitability
13 Jan 2023
Microsoft's VALL-E will usher in a new era of cyber crime

artificial intelligence (AI)
Microsoft's VALL-E will usher in a new era of cyber crime
With its ability to synthesise speech from short audio clips, Microsoft's VALL-E poses a worrying development in the realm of deepfakes
12 Jan 2023
BioNTech signs £560m acquisition of UK AI firm InstaDeep to turbocharge drugs research

mergers and acquisitions
BioNTech signs £560m acquisition of UK AI firm InstaDeep to turbocharge drugs research
The pharmaceutical giant hopes to apply InstaDeep's models to its research and supply chains, to improve medicine development across the board
11 Jan 2023
US 5G operators welcome new freedoms as FAA, airport concerns approach end

Policy & legislation
US 5G operators welcome new freedoms as FAA, airport concerns approach end
Airlines will have until 2024 to upgrade aircraft hardware potentially susceptible to 5G interference
10 Jan 2023
FCC plans strict overhaul of 15-year-old US data breach regulations

Policy & legislation
FCC plans strict overhaul of 15-year-old US data breach regulations
Telcos could no longer be able to use negligence as a defence for data breaches as the FCC also seeks to hasten public notification of breaches
9 Jan 2023
WhatsApp to combat internet blackouts with proxy server support

encryption
WhatsApp to combat internet blackouts with proxy server support
The newest version of the communication platform offers a new way to bypass state-imposed internet limitations, but concerns remain over IP visibility
6 Jan 2023
Rapid7 hires whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko a year after Twitter sacking

Careers & training
Rapid7 hires whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko a year after Twitter sacking
Zatko will advise clients at the security firm, in his first public role since launching his whistleblower campaign against Twitter
5 Jan 2023
Research: Luxury cars and emergency services vehicles vulnerable to remote takeover

vulnerability
Research: Luxury cars and emergency services vehicles vulnerable to remote takeover
A "global API issue" has been highlighted through months-long research into brands such as Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, leaving owners open to hacking, …
5 Jan 2023
First Microsoft union formed by ZeniMax workers

Careers & training
First Microsoft union formed by ZeniMax workers
300 QA testers have voted in favour of forming ZeniMax Workers United, as the tech sector faces increasing calls for transparency and equitable condit…
4 Jan 2023
Software engineering salaries top $1m in Silicon Valley

Careers & training
Software engineering salaries top $1m in Silicon Valley
Roles at the top companies in Silicon Valley lead pay in the industry, with Europe and Asia offering comparatively small compensation
4 Jan 2023
Verizon ends 3G support in US, finalises nationwide shutdown

Network & Internet
Verizon ends 3G support in US, finalises nationwide shutdown
The telco has urged the small number of its business customers still relying on the legacy network to upgrade to 4G or 5G devices
3 Jan 2023
We asked ChatGPT to write our Christmas cards. It didn't go well

artificial intelligence (AI)
We asked ChatGPT to write our Christmas cards. It didn't go well
The internet’s new favourite AI tool can produce powerful results, but these are firmly rooted in the uncanny valley
16 Dec 2022
ChatGPT Christmas main gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
ChatGPT Christmas main gallery
ChatGPT Christmas main gallery
16 Dec 2022
Chat GPT Christmas-themed motherboard gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
Chat GPT Christmas-themed motherboard gallery
Chat GPT Christmas-themed motherboard gallery
15 Dec 2022
Chat GPT Christmas satirical cartoons gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
Chat GPT Christmas satirical cartoons gallery
Chat GPT Christmas satirical cartoons gallery
15 Dec 2022
Chat GPT Christmas characters gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
Chat GPT Christmas characters gallery
Chat GPT Christmas characters gallery
15 Dec 2022
Chat GPT Christmas CIO gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
Chat GPT Christmas CIO gallery
Chat GPT Christmas CIO gallery
15 Dec 2022
ChatGPT Christmas gallery

artificial intelligence (AI)
ChatGPT Christmas gallery
ChatGPT Christmas gallery
15 Dec 2022
Google Docs integrates leading programming languages for slicker presentations

collaboration
Google Docs integrates leading programming languages for slicker presentations
The collaboration app will soon allow for better code sharing between teams, with in-tool formatting for a number of languages
15 Dec 2022
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s review: The suitcase superhero

Laptops
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s review: The suitcase superhero
A powerful machine for any business use, with a dated but sturdy design
15 Dec 2022
Ransomware discovered carrying legitimate Windows certificates

malware
Ransomware discovered carrying legitimate Windows certificates
Sophos researchers pointed to the sophisticated signatures as a sign of a new, dangerous strategy by a group tied to Cuba
14 Dec 2022
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s review gallery

Laptops
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s review gallery
Photos of the Leonov ThinkPad 13s
13 Dec 2022
VMware would be 'in a fine position' if Broadcom's takeover deal collapsed

Business strategy
VMware would be 'in a fine position' if Broadcom's takeover deal collapsed
Analyst suggests VMware is well-positioned to hunt alternative owners as Broadcom's $61 billion deal faces potential regulatory hurdles
12 Dec 2022