TECH

Samsung unveils tri-fold smartphone that will be cheaper than its rival, the Huawei Mate XTs

The race for the first smartphone that folds into three parts and becomes a true tablet is in its final stretch, and Samsung is preparing to make an aggressive entry. Contrary to expectations that this cutting-edge technology would cost an unattainable fortune, new rumors from South Korea indicate that the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold may arrive on the market at a significantly lower price than expected, positioning itself below its only direct competitor, the Huawei Mate XTs.

With a launch scheduled for the first week of December, Samsung seems to want to prove that it can not only innovate in the format, but also make the technology (relatively) more accessible than the Chinese competition.

That said, if a Fold costs around €2000, asking around €2500 for a Trifold makes some sense. These aren't perfect values, because it will still be a niche product, but it makes a lot more sense.

The most interesting thing is that the information supposedly came from an "internal sales channel announcement," which gives it some weight. That said, remember that Samsung usually offers free storage upgrades during the launch period. In other words, even if that value corresponds to the basic version, it's possible that those who buy in the first few weeks will receive more memory for the same price.

The tri-fold should arrive with a huge 10-inch screen when fully open and with a larger battery than the current Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is Samsung's top-of-the-line foldable. The three-segment design is the big novelty, and of course, the most expensive part to develop. That's why so many analysts predicted a prohibitive price.

This translates to about US$2,447 (approximately €2,350), a value that, while high, is notably lower than the US$2,520 that Huawei asks for its Mate XTs. This price difference, in an ultra-luxury segment, is a clear strategic move to steal the attention of early adopters.

The big difference between Samsung and Huawei will not only be the price, but the construction philosophy. While Huawei uses a "Z" format (one fold inwards, another outwards), leaving part of the screen exposed, Samsung has opted for a "G" shaped design with folds inwards.

This approach is crucial for durability. By folding the flaps inwards, the sensitive OLED panel is fully protected when the device is closed, reducing the risk of scratches and accidental damage to your pocket or bag. The biggest difference between Samsung and Huawei won't just be the price, but the construction philosophy. While Huawei uses a "Z" shape (one fold inward, another outward), leaving part of the screen exposed, Samsung opted for a "G" shaped design with folds inward.

This approach is crucial for durability. By folding the flaps inward, the sensitive OLED panel is fully protected when the device is closed, reducing the risk of scratches and accidental damage to your pocket or bag.

Until now, analysts pointed to a price of around US$3,000 for Samsung's first tri-fold phone. However, Korean blogger yeux1122, known for his leaks, reveals that Samsung is considering a starting price of 3.6 million won in its domestic market.

It remains to be seen whether this new foldable "triple book"-shaped phone will even reach the United States, or even Europe. Samsung has not yet confirmed its presence in Western markets, but everything indicates that the announcement is imminent. In fact, with this rate of leaks, the only thing that hasn't yet been completely removed from the picture is the surprise.

mundophone

DIGITAL LIFE

An updated version of the 'ClickFix’ malware disguises itself as a Windows update, using PNG pixel data to deploy infostealers

A newly discovered variant of the ClickFix malware masquerades as a critical Windows Update, using a fake full-screen update prompt to trick users into pasting a malicious command that grants attackers administrative access. Huntress researchers found that the malware leverages hidden code in PNG pixel data to deploy powerful infostealers like Rhadamanthys and LummaC2, targeting credentials, financial data, and crypto wallets primarily via booby-trapped adult websites.

Cybercriminals have updated the infamous ClickFix Malware to disguise it as a legit Windows Update, tricking users into pasting a malicious command into the Run window. What’s incredibly clever about it is that it uses pixel data from a PNG to deploy infostealers that steal your usernames, passwords, crypto wallets, bank details, personal information, and more.

Huntress cybersecurity researchers recently exposed the new ClickFix variant. The malware deploys a full-screen browser page that mimics a full-screen Microsoft Windows update, with a progress bar and a 95% completion status for a “critical security update.”

This malware is found chiefly on fake adult websites that mimic popular ones, often disguised as ads or age verification prompts. Once you click on an ad, video, or age verification prompt, you’re met with the fake Windows update splash screen.

The malware then instructs users to press the Windows key + R to open Run, paste the pre-copied malicious code, and delegate administrative access to cybercriminals.

A fake Windows Security Update screen pictured (image source: Bleeping Computer)

Once the command is activated, it runs the mshta (Microsoft HTML Application Host) program with a URL that also serves as an attack vector. The preinstalled tool then fetches a payload from a hex-encoded URL and runs junk PowerShell code to prevent tools like Bitdefender from taking action or detecting malicious activity. It then deploys code that decrypts a PNG file, extracts shell instructions, and injects them into processes already running on the target platform.

The PNG image, despite appearing harmless, contains malicious code embedded in its pixel data, which the .NET assembly decrypts. After several additional commands, it deploys infostealers such as Rhadamanthys or LummaC2, which scrape data and keystrokes for passwords, credentials, and crypto wallets stored digitally, then send them to foreign servers.

Huntress stated that this particular variant of ClickFix has been circulating on the internet since early October, with many websites and domains still hosting the fake update prompt even as it is deployed with varying levels of sophistication on said websites.

Hackers hide malicious code in innocent-looking images or add tons of useless lines, even confusing some cybersecurity experts looking for malicious code through obfuscation. Huntress stated that they found odd things in the code, such as a quote from an old UN meeting: “With regard to stage III, we highly recommend the complete destruction of all weapons, as lasting peace cannot be ensured otherwise.”

This ClickFix Windows Update malware is, by far, one of the most ingenious yet sinister forms of infostealing seen to date. It is advised to check domain URLs and avoid clicking ads or running any commands directly on their devices, especially when they can inadvertently provide an opening for sophisticated malware such as ClickFix.

Rahim Amir Noorali

TECH

iPhone 17 success threatens Samsung's global leadership

According to Counterpoint Research, the success cycle of the iPhone 17 should lead Apple to surpass Samsung in global smartphone shipments in 2025, something that hasn't happened in 14 years. The consultancy projects that Apple will end the year with a market share of around 19.4%, slightly above the 18.7% estimated for its South Korean rival, in a market that is practically not growing.

This reversal does not result from a sudden surge in global demand, but from a relative gain within a mature sector, where every tenth of market share lost or gained translates into bargaining power, profitability, and influence over the ecosystem of applications and services. The "iPhone 17 effect" thus emerges as the visible catalyst for deeper trends: loyalty to iOS, the weight of services, and the fragility of Samsung's position in the mid-range segment in the face of Chinese competition.

Counterpoint Research predicts that Apple will ship approximately 243 million iPhones in 2025, compared to approximately 235 million Samsung smartphones, placing the Cupertino brand slightly ahead in annual volume. In terms of market share, this difference translates to 19.4% for Apple and 18.7% for Samsung, confirming a historic overtaking in a market where both operate near the saturation limit.

The study also estimates that the global smartphone market will grow by only about 3.3% in 2025, meaning that Apple will gain ground mainly at the expense of competitors and not through a significant expansion of the total "pie." In a context where aggregate volume is almost stagnant, the fact that the iPhone manufacturer projects growth of around 10%, compared to a timid advance of around 4.6% for Samsung, becomes the real breaking point.

How the iPhone 17 changed the equation...The consultancy attributes much of the upward revision of Apple's shipments to the performance of the iPhone 17 family, which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. According to the report, sales of this generation surpassed those of the iPhone 16 in the first weeks after launch in key markets such as the United States and China, with double-digit growth in both cases.

Counterpoint analysts also highlight a "turning point" in the replacement cycle: many consumers who bought smartphones during the peak of the pandemic are now upgrading their devices, fueling demand for recent high-end models. In parallel, the second-hand market has created a base of hundreds of millions of users who entered the Apple ecosystem through used iPhones, many of whom are now in a position to move up to a new device.

While Apple focuses its efforts on the premium segment and extracting recurring revenue per user, Samsung relies heavily on the volume generated in the entry-level and mid-range segments, precisely where competitive pressure is most intense. Counterpoint and other observers point out that Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo, or vivo have captured significant market share at these price points, especially in emerging markets, squeezing Samsung's margins and room for maneuver.

The scenario projected for 2025 is clear: Samsung should grow in shipments, but at a rate roughly half that projected for Apple, which, in an anemic market, is enough to lose first place. Furthermore, Counterpoint itself warns that regaining leadership will be difficult if the South Korean brand does not address the structural weaknesses in the low and mid-range segments, given that differentiation in high-end and foldable models is not enough to compensate for the erosion of volume.

The success of the iPhone 17 alone does not explain the threat to Samsung's global leadership, but it makes visible a fundamental change: in a market with almost zero growth, the Apple model – focus on premium, closed ecosystem, and strong retention – proves to be more adapted than a strategy anchored in dispersed volume. For Samsung, the issue is no longer just regaining first place in shipments, but proving that it can return to profitable growth in a market where Chinese competition and loyalty to iOS have become permanent obstacles.

mundophone

DIGITAL LIFE

This common action is putting you at risk of being deepfaked

As we move further into the Computer Age, fake news, digital deceit and widespread use of social media are having a profound impact on every element of society, from swaying elections and manipulating science-proven facts, to encouraging racial bias and exploiting women.

Once a topic only discussed in computer research labs, deepfakes were catapulted into mainstream media in 2017 after various online communities began swapping faces of high-profile personalities with actors in pornographic films.

Deepfakes are becoming increasingly convincing, with eroding clarity between what's real and what's fake.

What is a deepfake...Deepfaking is the act of using artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to produce or alter video, image or audio content using the sequence of the original to create a version of something that didn't occur.

"You need a piece of machine learning to digest all of these video sequences, with the machine eventually learning who the person is, how they are represented, how they move and evolve in the video," says Dr. Richard Nock, Data61's machine learning group leader.

"So if you ask the machine to make a new sequence of this person, the machine is going to be able to automatically generate a new one."

It's the same story for images, paintings and sounds, aside from a few variations in the technology used to analyze and learn certain mediums.

"But the piece of technology is almost always the same, which is where the name 'deep fake' comes from," says Dr. Nock. "It's usually deep learning, a subset of machine learning, that you're using to ask the machine to forge a new reality."

Creating a deep fake...Deep fakes have been described as one of the contributing factors of the Infocalypse, a term used to label the age of cybercriminals, digital misinformation, clickbait and data misuse. A large amount of original digital content of the victim is needed—an easy feat considering the trend of posting videos and photos to social media.

Despite this, Dr. Nock argues that we shouldn't expect the average internet user to start altering videos to the point that they're unrecognizable to the original.

"No, if the person does not have enough videos, pictures, audio, and money, it's unlikely. It costs a small budget to create deep fakes. You need a computer, you need to train the computer, which needs to be reasonably powerful—more powerful if you want to do video sequences.

"So for an individual in general, no, but if an individual is knowledgeable about machine learning, has money, and lots of background information, then it's going to be easier."

Creating a convincing deepfake is an unlikely feat for the general computer user. However, an individual with advanced knowledge of machine learning, the specific software needed to digitally alter a piece of content, and access to the victim's publicly available social media profile for photographic, video and audio content, could do so.

Although, as face-morphing apps inbuilt with automated AI and machine learning become more advanced, deepfake creation could possibly come to be attainable to the general population in the future.

The cost of a free download is all it takes for a Snapchat user to appear as someone else, with the application's gender swap filter and baby lens completely altering the user's appearance.

While most people use the feature in good faith, there have been numerous instances of catfishing (an individual that fabricates an online identity to trick others into exploitive emotional or romantic relationships), via online dating apps, with some using the experience as a social experiment and others as a ploy to extract sensitive information.

A US publication reported that last month a 20-year-old college student named Ethan used the popular gender swap filter to pose as a 16-year-old girl named Esther, eventually reporting a 40-year-old man to local authorities after he tried to solicit "Esther" for a face-to-face meeting.

While this analogy could enhance law enforcement's ability to discover potential criminal acts, it could also herald a future where inexpensive or free face morphing technology could be used by someone with limited machine learning knowledge and access to the victim's public social media accounts to exploit the individual's digital appearance.

Politicians, celebrities and those in the public spotlight are the most obvious victims of deep fakes. However, the rise of posting multiple videos and selfies to public internet platforms places everyone at risk.

"The creation of explicit images is one example of how deepfakes are being used to harass individuals online, with one AI-powered app creating images of women might look like, according to the algorithm, unclothed.

"AI-assisted propaganda is predicted to impact the result of the 2020 US presidential according to The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, with the rapid spread across social media of altered content, like that of the 'drunk' Nancy Polsi deepfake, already altering general opinion. One version of the altered Pelosi video that was posted by conservative Facebook page Politics WatchDog was viewed more than two million times, shared over 45,000 times and accumulated 23,000 comments calling the Democratic Party politician 'drunk' and 'a babbling mess,'" said Dr. Nock.

According to Dr. Nock, an alternative effect of election deepfakery could be an online exodus, with a segment of the population placing their trust in the opinions of a closed circle of friends, whether it be physical or an online forum, such as Reddit.

"Once you've passed that breaking point and no longer trust an information source, most people would start retracting themselves, refraining themselves from accessing public media content because it cannot be trusted anymore, and eventually relying on their friends, which can be limiting if people are more exposed to opinions rather than the facts.

"People don't trust the public information that they have, but trust more in the private information they will get from social media."

Credit: CSIRO

What is being done to prevent deepfakes...There are at least two ways to prevent deepfakes according to Dr. Nock: "Blockchain could work—if carefully crafted—but a watermark component would probably not," explains Dr. Nock. "Changing the format of an original document would eventually alter the watermark, while the document would obviously stay original; this would not happen with the blockchain."

Machine learning is already detecting deep fakes, with researchers from UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California using this method to distinguish unique head and face movement. These subtle personal quirks are currently not modeled by deep fake algorithms, with the technique returning a 92% level of accuracy.

While this research is comforting, bad actors will inevitably continue to reinvent and adapt AI-generated fakes.

Machine learning is a powerful technology, and one that's becoming more sophisticated over time. Deepfakes aside, machine learning is also bringing enormous positive benefits to areas like privacy, health care, transport and even self-driving cars.

At CSIRO's Data61, we act as a network and partner with government, industry and universities, to advance the technologies of AI in many areas of society and industry, such as adversarial machine learning, cybersecurity and data protection, and rich data-driven insights.

Central to the wider deployment of these advanced technologies is trust, and much of our work is motivated by maximizing the trustworthiness of these new technologies through publicly accessible case studies, pilot programs, and research.

Provided by CSIRO

TECH

Big tech and total war 

With this title, one of the most important Brazilian intellectuals, Sergio Amadeu da Silveira, competently and courageously tackles one of the most prominent new challenges facing critical thinking.

His book addresses the change in the management and infrastructure of contemporary warfare, as he announces at the beginning of the work. He investigates the data economy and its main organizations, the big tech companies. Analyzing the contracts of these organizations, he encounters military contracts.

Sergio Amadeu defends the thesis that "data are high value-added assets. That the digital age has not eliminated class struggle, and therefore "Marxist thought remains indispensable for understanding these phenomena." "Digital technology does not eliminate class struggle." On the contrary, datafied digital systems, driven by the voracity of the capitalist system, have reconfigured it on new foundations. Data has become a specific type of capital.

"The need for gigantic infrastructures and increasing computing power has led to the dominance of computer science itself by big tech companies." The most significant machine learning models are no longer being developed by universities, but by industry.

Big tech companies accumulate and monetize data on a global scale, dominating sectors such as entertainment, agriculture, logistics, and even public services. The cloud, despite being presented as a deterritorialized service, is deeply linked to geopolitical issues, concentration of power, and technological dependence.

Artificial intelligence is dependent on complex infrastructures, dominated by technological oligopolies, which makes it distant from democratic control, as well as accessible to a few powerful actors.

Knowledge is reduced to quantifiable data processed by algorithms, resulting in a "systemic colonialism" that concentrates power in the hands of big tech companies. "Vectorization and information compression are presented as methods that transform language and knowledge into mathematical representations, distancing themselves from human experience and contextual understanding."

The ethical and operational transformations in warfare highlight the shift from the "ethic of the warrior" to the "ethic of the hunter." There are systems like those used by the Israeli forces to identify targets in Gaza, which dehumanize the enemy and reduce human responsibility in lethal decisions. “The rise of algorithmic war management is eroding ethical boundaries, which demands global regulation in the face of technologies that can perpetuate cycles of extermination.”

From the 21st century onwards, the military-industrial complex has transformed into a “datafied military-industrial complex,” in which big tech companies have come to play a central role. Big tech has a neocolonial role; by controlling digital infrastructures and global data, it reinforces the hegemony of the United States and its geopolitical interests, transforming war into an increasingly technological and less transparent undertaking. “Big tech has entered the United States headquarters and been brought into the command room.” No nation-state possesses as much data on the planet's populations as American big tech companies.

Sergio Amadeu poses a major challenge: “When data used to create profiles for marketing purposes also serves to identify military targets or disseminate disinformation on a massive scale with the aim of domination, we need to discuss whether this is acceptable.” And he invites people to consider “whether it is not time to stop this enormous power of surveillance and control that is being built.”

This brief review of a book that I found very useful aims to encourage you to read Sergio Amadeu's book as an indispensable work, among the many readings available to us today.

EMIR SADER---Emir Sader is a sociologist, political scientist, and has worked as a professor at USP, Unicamp, Uerj, and as a researcher at the Center for Socioeconomic Studies at the University of Chile, in addition to being the author of several works on the subject.

by Emir Sader

DIGITAL LIFE

Global layoffs hit new record in 2025 as AI reshapes workforces

The year 2025 was marked by large-scale layoffs in the global technology sector, with companies large and small announcing deep job cuts as they grapple with overexpansion, cost pressures, and the growing transition to artificial intelligence.

At least 112,000 employees have been laid off so far this year at 218 companies, according to layoffs.fyi, highlighting the breadth of the restructuring wave.

On Monday, Apple was the latest to join the list, confirming it is reducing roles in its sales teams.

The iPhone maker stated that the layoffs would affect only a small number of positions and are part of an effort to strengthen customer engagement.

But the announcement contributes to the rapid succession of job reductions across the industry.

Tech giants respond to overexpansion and new AI demands; Amazon Leads the Way with Up to 30,000 Job Cuts

Several large companies have acknowledged that the layoffs stem from a combination of over-hiring during the pandemic and the need to redirect resources to artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.

Amazon, one of the world's largest employers, is in the midst of what could be its biggest corporate downsizing yet.

The company is poised to eliminate up to 30,000 corporate positions as part of a plan to streamline operations after what CEO Andy Jassy described as “years of overbuilding” to meet pandemic-era demand.

In a memo to employees, Jassy said most employees affected by the cuts would have 90 days to seek internal positions.

He emphasized that the changes were not directly driven by AI or financial pressures, but aimed to reduce “corporate fat” and allow Amazon to operate as “the world’s largest startup,” according to the memo.

Amazon laid off more than 14,000 employees in late October, impacting units in its cloud services, retail, devices, advertising, and grocery divisions.

State filings in California, Washington, New York, and New Jersey show that engineering jobs bore the brunt of the reductions, accounting for nearly 40% of the more than 4,700 publicly reported layoffs.

Another round of cuts is expected in early 2026...While Amazon has emphasized that it is not replacing workers with AI today, it has acknowledged that significant investments are needed to develop AI systems and cloud infrastructure, forcing reductions elsewhere.

As the cost of deploying AI decreases, the company plans to allocate billions to strengthen AWS data centers and expand AI tools across its product lines.

Microsoft is also deepening its restructuring...In July, the company announced it would lay off approximately 9,000 employees, or just under 4% of its global workforce. The layoffs span multiple teams and geographies and follow several previous rounds this year, including a performance-related reduction of less than 1% in January and over 6,000 cuts in May, followed by another 300 in June.

Microsoft employed 228,000 people in mid-2024 and had already laid off 10,000 workers in 2023.

The company stated that the latest reductions are linked to its ongoing effort to redirect spending toward artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

Meta has also begun tightening operations within its AI units. The company is poised to cut approximately 600 jobs in its AI infrastructure division, Fundamental AI Research Labs (FAIR), and other product-related groups. The layoffs were announced by Meta's AI chief, Alexandr Wang, who joined the company this year as part of Meta's $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI.

The cuts aim to flatten management layers and improve agility...Apple's reduction, while relatively modest compared to other tech competitors, underscores that even the most valuable company in the sector is adjusting its workforce structure as it enhances its focus on customer-centric operations.

Semiconductor and IT Services Companies Undertake Aggressive Restructuring...The layoffs were not limited to consumer-facing technology companies. Chipmaker Intel is undergoing one of its most dramatic restructurings, planning to cut approximately 24,000 employees — roughly 22% of its global workforce — by 2025.

The reductions accompany a multi-year strategy to reshape its manufacturing operations and reinvest in areas where it sees a long-term competitive advantage. Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) also drastically reduced its workforce, cutting 12,000 jobs in the quarter ending September 2025, primarily among mid- and senior-level employees.

The company's workforce fell by 20,000 in the second quarter, marking its largest reduction on record.

Cisco announced plans to eliminate approximately 4,250 jobs, or 5% of its global workforce, as it moves away from traditional hardware to embrace subscription-based software, cybersecurity, and cloud networking.

Government records show cuts concentrated in its offices in Milpitas and San Francisco.

Logistics and manufacturing employers also feel the pressure....The wave of restructuring extends beyond technology, reaching the logistics and manufacturing sectors. United Parcel Service (UPS), which began the year with nearly 500,000 employees, has already cut approximately 48,000 jobs so far.

The reductions are part of the Network Reconfiguration and Reimagined Efficiency program, designed to increase margins and restore investor confidence after a period of sluggish performance. UPS stated in its third-quarter earnings report, released in late October, that approximately 34,000 of the cuts were operational roles linked to a broader cost optimization effort.

Companies cite AI, but experts warn about “AI laundering”...While several companies have pointed to artificial intelligence as a factor accelerating restructuring, experts warn that many companies may be exaggerating AI's role in job cuts. Some companies have explicitly stated that they are replacing workers with automation. In May, Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski said the fintech company had managed to reduce its workforce by about 40%, partly thanks to AI.

Duolingo announced in April that it would stop using contractors for tasks that AI can now manage.

Salesforce laid off 4,000 support positions in September, saying AI could handle half of all customer interactions. But management experts warn that companies may be using AI as a convenient excuse for more traditional cost cuts.

Peter Cappelli, a professor at the Wharton School, told CNBC that there is “very little evidence” that AI eliminates jobs on the scale that companies sometimes claim.

“Using AI to save jobs proves extremely complicated and time-consuming,” Cappelli said. “There’s a perception that it’s simple and cheap, and it’s actually not.”

Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, said that many companies are simply correcting “pandemic bloat” after years of retaining employees amid market volatility.

by: Vatsala Gaur

TECH

Structural reform needed to address UK electricity price pressures

New research from the University of Aberdeen warns that UK electricity bills are unlikely to fall under current arrangements and urges policymakers to consider structural reforms to protect consumers while delivering the energy transition.

The independent study undertaken by the Center for Energy Transition, part of the University's Interdisciplinary Institute, highlights that wholesale electricity prices in the UK are often set by gas-fired generation, leaving consumers exposed to global gas market volatility, especially during times when the country is reliant on gas for its base load.

Rising network and infrastructure costs, increasing standing charges and the impact of supplier failures have compounded the problem.

Ofgem's Clean Power 2030 initiative and other regulatory priorities require significant investment in transmission infrastructure—costs that will ultimately be borne by bill payers and/or taxpayers.

The paper sets out a number of policy recommendations:

Rebalance cost recovery: In the short-term, network upgrade costs should be moved from consumer bills to general taxation, with a phased return once balancing costs decline.

Energy security as defense: Treat parts of grid investment as national security expenditure, aligning with the UK's commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Strategic gas licensing and storage: Develop a new licensing regime for domestic gas fields and invest in storage to dampen price spikes during high-demand periods.

Maintain public support: Ensure affordability during the transition to avoid undermining consumer confidence in decarbonization goals.

"Energy security and affordability must be viewed together," said co-author Professor John Underhill, University's Director of Energy Transition in the Interdisciplinary Institute.

"Consumers need confidence that the energy transition is both affordable and secure. Our research shows that strategic cost allocation and investment planning can deliver resilience without eroding public support for the energy transition.

"These investments align with decarbonization in the energy transition and national energy security. Some costs could justifiably be treated as defense spending rather than solely as decarbonization or consumer energy costs."

The report concludes that without structural reform, the UK's exposure to global energy prices will continue and bills are unlikely to fall soon, as future system costs must still be recovered.

Investments in grid capacity and resilience should be considered not only as climate policy but as a critical component of national security with a phased approach offering protection to vulnerable households while maintaining public support for decarbonization.

"System actors are calling for the exclusion of certain costs from bills, depending on their vested interest and position in the system. But these costs will ultimately still need funding, so the logical decision is to deal with costs which can be accounted for as assets elsewhere," added co-author and independent energy analyst, Matthew Porter.

"Dealing with the network upgrade costs and system resilience investment outside of the perimeter of consumer bills fits this thought process."

Provided by University of Aberdeen