Google has pushed back its plan to fully replace Google Assistant with its Gemini AI across most Android devices, signaling that the company is taking a more cautious approach to one of the most consequential platform shifts in Android’s history.

The company said it is adjusting its previously announced timeline, which had targeted the end of 2025 for making Gemini the default digital assistant on most Android phones. Instead, Google now expects the transition to continue into 2026, saying it wants to ensure a “seamless transition” for users. Further details on the revised roadmap will be shared in the coming months, suggesting that the final switchover could extend beyond early 2026.

The delay is attributed to the technical and strategic complexity of replacing Google Assistant, a service that has been deeply embedded in Android for nearly a decade, with a far more advanced and resource-intensive AI system.

Google Assistant’s retirement became all but inevitable once Gemini was unveiled and began inheriting Assistant’s core functions, including voice commands, app control, and smart home management. That shift became tangible in 2024, when Google launched the Pixel 9 series with Gemini set as the default assistant, effectively positioning Assistant as legacy software on Google’s flagship hardware.

Since then, Google has been steadily integrating Gemini across its product ecosystem, spanning Search, Gmail, Docs, Chrome, and Android. The company has also said Gemini will power experiences beyond smartphones, including tablets, in-car systems, and accessories such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds that connect to Android phones.

However, moving from a dual-assistant phase to a complete handover has proven more difficult than expected.

A key constraint is hardware compatibility. Google has confirmed that only devices running Android 10 or later with at least 2GB of RAM will be eligible for the Gemini upgrade. While modest by flagship standards, that threshold excludes a significant number of older and low-end Android devices, particularly in emerging markets where Android’s global dominance is strongest.

Google Assistant was designed to operate efficiently on a wide range of hardware, including entry-level phones. Gemini, by contrast, relies more heavily on on-device processing and cloud-based AI inference, placing greater demands on memory, processing power, and network reliability. Ensuring consistent performance across millions of devices with vastly different capabilities remains a major challenge.

Beyond hardware, Google appears wary of disrupting everyday user habits. Assistant handles a wide range of routine tasks, from alarms and reminders to navigation, dictation, and home automation. Any degradation in speed, accuracy, or reliability during the transition could undermine user trust, especially among those who rely heavily on voice interactions.

By extending the timeline, Google is effectively buying itself room to close feature gaps, improve latency, and ensure Gemini can handle edge cases that Assistant has refined over years of real-world use.

The delay also comes amid intensifying competition in AI assistants. Apple is rolling out deeper AI integration across iOS, Microsoft continues to embed Copilot across Windows and enterprise software, and Amazon is rebuilding Alexa around generative AI. In that context, Google faces pressure not just to replace Assistant, but to deliver a clearly superior experience that justifies the shift.

Internally, Gemini is central to Google’s broader AI strategy, positioning the company to defend its dominance in search, mobile software and advertising as user behavior evolves toward conversational and AI-driven interfaces.

For now, Google Assistant will continue to coexist with Gemini on many Android devices, with Gemini gradually assuming more responsibilities as updates roll out. The extended timeline suggests Google is prioritizing stability and user confidence over speed, even as it pushes aggressively to make Gemini the connective tissue across its products.

While Assistant’s days are clearly numbered, Google’s revised plan signals that the company would rather arrive late with a fully formed AI assistant than rush a transition that risks alienating its massive Android user base.

If Instagram suddenly stops working, won’t load, or won’t let you in, it’s usually not your account that’s the problem; it’s the IP address you’re using. An IP ban occurs when Instagram determines that your internet connection is untrustworthy and temporarily blocks access from that network.

For most users, this shows up out of nowhere and can be really confusing, especially when the account looks perfectly fine on another connection.

In this guide, I’ll tell you what leads to an Instagram IP ban, how to fix it step by step, and what actually works.

What Causes an Instagram IP Ban

Instagram flags an IP address when a connection starts acting suspiciously. Most of the time though, the problem lies with how the network’s being used, not the actual account in question.

• You’re doing way too much on the platform all at once – liking, following, commenting, or constantly refreshing pages
• Trying to manage several Instagram accounts from the same IP address
• Using third-party tools, whether that’s automation, bots, scrapers or anything else that’s too aggressive
• Constantly switching between Wi-Fi, mobile data, or frequently changing locations (be it a VPN or a new spot)
• Using a free VPN, some crowded proxy services, or some unstable shared IP addresses from public Wi-Fi
• Suddenly having a ton of activity on a brand new account before you’ve even got a chance to build up some trust with Instagram

Step-by-Step: How to Fix This Error

Most of the time, an Instagram IP ban is temporary, and it does not require any complex repairs. Use the steps below in order.

Change Your IP Address First

The fastest way to restore access is to switch to a clean network. Moving from Wi-Fi to mobile data or restarting your router to get a new IP is often enough, and it’s usually the first step people take when learning how to fix IP ban on Instagram.

Log Out and Take a Short Break

After changing the IP, log out of Instagram on every device. Wait at least 12-24 hours before doing anything on the account. Likes, follows, comments, and messages are to be avoided during this cooldown to allow Instagram to reset its trust signals.

Stop using VPNs and Public Networks

Open Wi-Fi and free VPNs rely on shared IPs, which Instagram already considers unsafe. During the process of fixing the issue, you should stop using one right away and switch to a personal, trustworthy connection.

Clear App Data or Reinstall Instagram

The Instagram app can preserve old session data that leads to errors even after the IP has been fixed. If you are on a browser, clear the cache of the app, reinstall Instagram, or reset cookies to open a new session.

Try a Different Device or Browser

It can be useful to log in using another phone, tablet, or browser so that Instagram can generate a new session associated with the clean IP rather than the blocked one.

Complete Any Security Checks

In case Instagram sends a login notification or verification via email or SMS, fill it in and attempt again. Any failure to take these steps can postpone access or trigger another block.

Proxy-Based Solutions

If your internet connection keeps getting blocked by Instagram, you might not be able to rely on it for your regular browsing. Using a proxy can be a lifesaver. Proxies work by routing your connection through a different IP address. If the IP is clean and stable, Instagram treats it as normal traffic, rather than flagging it for suspicious behavior.

• Residential proxies (safest option) – They use real home IP addresses from internet service providers. They’re okay for logging in, posting and generally using your account without any issues.
• ISP proxies (balanced option) – ISP proxies are hosted on servers but registered with internet providers. They generally offer a better experience in terms of speed than residential proxies and are still legitimate to Instagram.
• Avoid free or shared proxies – Crowded proxy pools and free proxies frequently reuse IPs with a negative reputation. The risk of immediate bans is increased when they are used.
• One proxy per account – If you only assign one proxy to one Instagram account, you avoid the problem of Instagram getting confused and one of them getting flagged.

Prevention Tips

Fixing an IP ban is only half the job. The real goal is making sure it doesn’t happen again. Most repeat bans come from the same mistakes being repeated.

• Slow down all activity – Spread likes, follows, comments, and DMs throughout the day.
• Stick to one stable connection – Avoid switching between Wi-Fi, mobile data, VPNs, and different locations too often.
• Limit accounts per IP or proxy – Running multiple accounts on the same connection increases risk.
• Avoid aggressive automation – Tools that ignore limits or force fast actions are easy for Instagram to detect.
• Warm up new accounts properly – Build the profile, post normally, and increase activity gradually over time.
• Watch for early warning signs – If actions start failing or slowing down, stop immediately and give the account a break.

Summary

An Instagram IP ban almost always means that the network you’re using has set off some alarms. Most of the time, the problem is caused by some sort of high activity, a suspicious shared IP address, or a network you’re using keeps changing. Switching over to a clean connection and giving your account a chance to cool down usually sorts the problem out pretty quickly.

The way to avoid getting blocked in the first place is to be consistent. Try and use the same stable network as much as possible, keep your activity at a level that looks like a normal person’s and steer clear of any tools that are trying to push the limits.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continues to pose the most significant nation-state threat to cryptocurrency security, achieving a record-breaking year for stolen funds despite an assessed dramatic reduction in attack frequency.

A report by Chainalysis reveals that North Korean hackers stole $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, a 51% year-over-year increase, pushing their all-time total to $6.75 billion despite fewer attacks.

North Korean threat actors are increasingly achieving these outsized hacks often by embedding IT workers one of DPRK’s principal attack vectors inside crypto services to gain privileged access and enable high impact compromises.

Fueled in large part by the historic $1.5 billion breach of Dubai-based exchange Bybit in February the largest single heist on record these sophisticated operations highlight Pyongyang’s growing reliance on cyber theft to bypass international sanctions and fund its nuclear and missile programs, as noted by the United Nations and U.S. authorities.

With fewer but far more impactful attacks, often involving social engineering, insider infiltration, and targeted compromises of centralized platforms, North Korea has solidified its position as the dominant force in high-stakes crypto crime, pushing its cumulative known thefts since tracking began to approximately $6.75 billion.

While no major incidents were publicly reported in January, the year saw significant escalations in high-value thefts and broader espionage.

In February 2025, the largest single crypto heist in history occurred on February 21, when hackers stole approximately $1.5 billion in Ethereum from the Dubai-based exchange Bybit. U.S. authorities, including the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), attributed this to North Korea, citing the exploitation of vulnerabilities in third-party software. This incident alone accounted for a significant portion of the year’s total thefts and highlighted North Korea’s advanced capabilities in targeting centralized exchanges.

In April, North Korean cyber espionage expanded beyond crypto, with reports of increased infiltration targeting European defense and government sectors. This included attempts to steal sensitive technology and intelligence, potentially to support missile programs.

While not a direct “hack” in the theft sense, these operations violated UN sanctions and marked a broadening of North Korea’s cyber strategy.

On November 27, South Korea’s Upbit exchange suffered a $30–36 million theft from its Solana hot wallet, draining assets like SOL, USDC, BONK, JUP, and others. Forensic analysis linked the attack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, noting similarities to their 2019 Upbit hack (including the exact anniversary timing).

South Korean authorities launched an on-site investigation, and Upbit committed to full user reimbursement from its reserves.

– December: Early-month reports confirmed North Korea’s role in the Upbit incident, with experts noting it as part of a pattern targeting South Korean exchanges.

Broader discussions highlighted North Korea’s exploitation of Android zero-days to target crypto exchanges and IT engineers, alongside a major exposure of 400,000 secrets in the “Shai Hulud 2.0” attack (though direct attribution to North Korea was not confirmed).

By mid-December, Chainalysis released its annual report, quantifying the $2 billion+ in 2025 thefts and noting Amazon’s blocking of 1,800 fake North Korean IT workers as part of broader countermeasures. Speculation arose about potential large-scale infrastructure attacks, but no confirmed incidents occurred by December 20.

Overall, 2025’s activities were dominated by crypto-focused hacks, with the Bybit and Upbit incidents standing out. Other thefts likely filled the gap to reach the $2 billion total, but details remain sparse due to the covert nature of these operations.

In a landmark victory capping a legal saga that has spanned nearly three decades, Telecom Italia (TIM), Italy’s former telecommunications monopoly, has won a final ruling from the country’s Supreme Court entitling it to a reimbursement of approximately €1 billion ($1.2 billion) from the Italian government.

The decision, confirmed by TIM in a statement on Saturday, resolves a contentious dispute over a 1998 concession fee imposed during the liberalization of Italy’s telecom sector, providing a much-needed financial lifeline to the debt-burdened company amid ongoing restructuring. The origins of the case trace back to 1997, when Italy deregulated its telecommunications market, shifting from a monopolistic framework to open competition.

Despite this, TIM—then operating as Telecom Italia and its mobile arm TIM Mobile—was required to pay a license fee of €528.7 million in 1998, comprising €385.9 million for Telecom Italia and €142.8 million for TIM Mobile. The company argued the fee was illegitimate post-deregulation and sued the state for recovery. Lower courts ruled in TIM’s favor, ordering repayment, but the government appealed, prolonging the battle through multiple judicial levels until the Corte di Cassazione, Italy’s highest court, upheld the reimbursement on December 20, 2025.

The awarded sum is roughly double the original fee, inflated by revaluation and accrued interest over the years. Sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters and Bloomberg, emphasized that the ruling makes the repayment binding, ending what has been described as one of Italy’s most protracted corporate litigations. TIM’s official confirmation aligned with these accounts, though the company has yet to release a detailed press statement on its website.

Financially, the windfall arrives at a critical juncture for TIM, which has grappled with substantial debt and operational challenges in recent years. As of June 30, 2025, the group’s adjusted net financial debt after lease stood at €7.5 billion, stable from prior quarters but reflective of broader pressures in a mature, competitive market. The company reported a net loss of €132 million for the first half of 2025, an improvement from previous periods, with revenues and earnings showing upward trends—bolstered by a positive operational cash flow of €482 million.

TIM halted dividend payments in 2022 to conserve cash amid these strains, but the reimbursement is poised to facilitate their resumption. A key strategic implication of the payout is the acceleration of TIM’s plan to dismantle its dual-class share structure. Savings shares, which guarantee holders a minimum dividend and represent about 28% of the company’s capital, have been a costly legacy feature.

CEO Pietro Labriola, who has spearheaded the company’s turnaround since taking the helm, views the funds as instrumental in phasing out these shares through conversion to ordinary stock. Two sources with knowledge of the matter indicated that the board could discuss this conversion as early as its meeting on December 29, 2025. Analysts suggest this move would simplify TIM’s capital structure, reduce financial burdens, and enhance its appeal to investors.

The ruling’s broader context underscores TIM’s ongoing restructuring efforts. In 2025, the company advanced a major asset sale, divesting a stake in its fixed-line network (Netco) to U.S. private equity firm KKR, a transaction aimed at slashing debt and funding 5G expansions. This deal, part of a wider strategy to streamline operations, has been hailed as a pathway to long-term consolidation in Europe’s telecom sector.

Labriola has publicly welcomed potential M&A activity among rivals, stating in November 2025 that such moves could create a “more balanced and rational” market. Recent analyst upgrades, including from Deutsche Bank in October 2025, have driven TIM’s stock up 6.8% at times, citing evidence of improved free cash flow and sector-wide consolidation prospects.

Market reaction to the court decision has been muted so far, likely due to the ruling falling on a Saturday, with European markets closed over the weekend. Historical precedents offer clues: In January 2025, TIM shares rose modestly by 0.5% after an appeals court rejected a government request to suspend the payment, while a May 2025 delay in proceedings triggered a 5.7% drop.

On the government side, officials have downplayed fiscal fallout. The 2026 budget already earmarks €2.2 billion for national and EU litigation costs, insulating Italy’s push to trim its budget deficit below 3% of GDP. This allocation reflects Rome’s anticipation of adverse rulings in various disputes, ensuring the TIM payout won’t derail broader economic goals.

Given TIM’s financial troubles, the reimbursement that comes with this ruling not only injects vital capital but also signals progress in addressing legacy issues, enabling the company to focus on growth. Analysts expect updates from the December 29 board meeting, which could outline concrete steps toward share conversion and dividend revival.