FTI Consulting News Bytes – 13 March 2026

FTI Consulting News Bytes

This week, we kick off our newsletter with a new study finding that more companies are paying ransoms following cyberattacks as a means of regaining control of their digital systems. Over in Big Tech, Meta acquired another social media platform, Moltbook, to supercharge its AI capabilities. Next, we turn to Microsoft who filed a court brief supporting Anthropic’s lawsuit against the Pentagon, a momentous decision for one of the biggest tech companies that’s also one of the largest government contractors. We then discuss a new licensing initiative launched by publishers to monetise the use of their data by AI systems. Finally, we look into Ofcom’s new child online safety deadline for big tech.

This week’s news

More companies are paying ransoms after cyberattacks

Whilst the proliferation of AI has aided efficiency and creativity, a recent study has found that it’s also helping to drive criminality. The Times reports that almost a quarter (24.3%) of businesses paid ransoms in 2025 to regain control of their systems against increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks. The figure, which is up 14.4% year on year, reverses a two-year decline and demonstrates the increasingly advanced AI-powered tactics being employed by cybercriminals. The hardest hit were industrial and manufacturing firms, with payments ranging from $10,000 to over $1m, averaging at $296,000.

Meta buys ‘social media network for AI’ Moltbook

The Facebook and Instagram owner has acquired Moltbook, a social media app for AI bots to speak to one another, the BBC reports. The move comes following Mark Zuckerberg’s confirmation that the firm would “ramp up” spending on AI projects in 2026, and will support Meta’s exploration of new ways for AI agents to work for consumers and businesses. The deal, of which the value hasn’t been disclosed, will move Moltbook’s team into Meta’s Superintelligence Labs with the aim of supercharging the company’s approach to AI projects.

Microsoft steps in for Anthropic

Microsoft has backed Anthropic in its legal fight against the Pentagon after it labelled the AI start-up a “supply chain risk” and banned its technology from defence contracts. In a court filing, Microsoft urged a judge to issue a temporary restraining order, calling for negotiation and warning that the immediate ban could disrupt existing military AI systems used by contractors and force major tech vendors to quickly reconfigure defence products. The Financial Times notes that Microsoft’s intervention is notable because it’s the first Big Tech company openly siding with Anthropic against the US government in court. If this becomes a trend, it could signal a new phase where tech companies actively shape the rules of government access to frontier AI. 

Publishers want pay for AI data

According to UKTN, Publishers’ Licensing Services has launched a collective licensing initiative aimed at ensuring that AI companies pay to use publishers’ content for training models. Announced at the London Book Fair, the scheme invites publishers to opt in so their works can be legally accessed by AI developers in exchange for license fees and agreed use terms. The move comes as publishers seek ways to curb the widespread scraping of online text for AI training while still participating in the growing market. The initiative signals the publishing industry’s attempt to move from fighting AI scraping in courts to building a formal marketplace for training data. If adopted widely, it could become a template for how creative industries monetise their content in the AI era.

Tech giants warned to protect children online

Global tech companies including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have been given until the end of April to explain how they will better protect children on their platforms under the UK’s Online Safety Act. Sky News reports that per Ofcom regulations, firms will need to outline stronger safety measures such as age checks, protections against grooming and steps to limit harmful content being recommended to young users – ultimately shifting the pressure onto tech platforms themselves after MPs rejected calls for a blanket ban on under-16s using social media. The platforms will also have to show how they assess risks when introducing new features, with the regulator warning that children should not be exposed to harm through poorly tested product changes.

Top Tweets of the Week

• Financial Times: McKinsey rushes to fix AI systems after hacker exposes flaws.
• UK Sovereign AI: “Introducing Sovereign AI, the Government’s new £500m venture fund. Sovereign AI will support founders from day one to start here, scale here and win everywhere.”
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Tech companies must go above and beyond to protect women and girls online. Leading tech firms met with @leicesterliz to discuss implementing safety measures to block and delete online abuse and misogyny.

Number of the week

45,363 The number of tech layoffs recorded globally so far in 2026, with about 9,238 – roughly one in five – linked to companies restructuring around AI and automation (Tech News Global)