Nearly six terabytes of data allegedly stolen from Berlin’s state administration have been published on the dark web, exposing a large amount of sensitive information and raising concerns over the security of government systems.

The hacker group Rhysida is reported to have released about 1.44 million files containing information taken during a cyberattack on Berlin’s administration. The leaked material reportedly includes personal details belonging to state employees, such as birth certificates, telephone numbers, home addresses and documents that appear to contain employee absence records.

The scale of the disclosure has prompted warnings that the incident could have serious consequences for public officials and government security.

Among the files is a folder labelled “AG CBRN-Rahmenplanung.” CBRN refers to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. The presence of documents connected to this area has raised particular concern because the material could potentially contain information about how authorities prepare for major security incidents.

Investigative journalist Lars Winkelsdorf warned on social media that the cyberattack was of a scale that could threaten the functioning of the state. The potential exposure of sensitive government information has also raised concerns about whether the material could be exploited by criminal groups, terrorists or foreign intelligence agencies.

Rhysida had previously threatened to release the stolen information unless Berlin’s administration paid a ransom of 30 Bitcoin, which was estimated at around €2 million. The hackers established a countdown as part of their demand, with the deadline expiring at about 3:35 p.m. on Friday.

Berlin’s Senate had stated before the deadline that it would not give in to the ransom demand, maintaining its position that the administration does not negotiate with criminals making such threats.

The hackers followed through shortly after the countdown ended, publishing the data package on the dark web. Members of the group have also begun distributing lists of filenames through social media, potentially making it easier for others to identify and access specific documents.

The release has intensified questions over the extent of the breach and whether additional confidential information could have been compromised. The reported presence of personal records also creates the possibility of identity theft, fraud and targeted attacks against affected employees.

Berlin authorities and political leaders have so far faced criticism over what observers describe as a limited public response to the incident.

Officials are expected to assess the leaked material, determine how much information was compromised and examine whether the stolen files contain further security-sensitive documents. The incident is likely to renew scrutiny of cybersecurity protections across government institutions as authorities work to understand the full impact of the breach.

Artificial intelligence is taking a larger role in household technology, with appliances, furniture, entertainment systems and even pet products becoming more connected and capable of responding to users’ needs.

At IFA 2026 in Berlin, more than 1,900 brands from 49 countries are presenting new products under the theme “The Future is Now.” The event, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics and home appliance fairs, highlights a shift from the traditional smart home toward what manufacturers describe as the intelligent home.

The concept goes beyond devices responding to commands. Companies are developing products that can recognise situations, learn preferences and assist with everyday decisions.

Haier, for example, is showcasing a washing machine equipped with a camera and AI technology that can identify clothes inside the drum. The system can warn users if an item such as a red sock has been placed among white clothing.

Haier Europe CEO Neil Tunstall said similar technology is being developed for cooking appliances, which can identify food and adjust settings to make preparing meals easier.

US company Cozyla is also demonstrating how AI could help organise household routines. Its IFA display presents a connected home where digital calendars coordinate family schedules, while recipes can be scanned to assist with meal planning and other household activities.

Technology is also moving into bedrooms. Hong Kong-based BestQi is displaying its AMADA Smart Adaptive Sleeping System, combining an adjustable bed with a mattress that uses sound and vibrations. Each side of the bed can be controlled independently, allowing users to select different positions and settings.

South Korean company Bodyfriend is showcasing advanced relaxation products, including its Quantum Beauty Capsule, which combines a massage chair with LED features for the face and scalp. Its Davinci AI model uses a fingertip sensor to collect biometric measurements such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

Home entertainment is another major focus. TCL is presenting connected gaming and display systems while also promoting technology designed to reduce screen distractions. Its NextPaper technology can turn a smartphone into a simplified reading device with fewer notifications and reduced blue light exposure.

The connected home is not limited to people. Singapore-based Petgugu is exhibiting smart pet products, including a self-cleaning cat toilet and a robot designed to collect pet hair and interact with animals while their owners are away.

Robotics is also represented by the MagicDog Y1, a four-legged robot designed for tasks such as following people, carrying equipment, monitoring areas and security work.

The products on display suggest that the future home may depend less on individual smart devices and more on systems that communicate with one another.

IFA 2026 runs until September 8, giving visitors an opportunity to explore developments in home appliances, entertainment, robotics and personal technology. Whether these innovations become everyday household products will ultimately depend on how consumers choose to adopt them.

The White House has launched a new section of its official website featuring five arcade-style video games designed to promote President Donald Trump’s policies, including immigration enforcement, border security, food standards and a child savings programme.

The “Arcade” section uses low-resolution graphics and gameplay inspired by classic video games. The launch has drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates, who argue that turning deportation and border enforcement into entertainment trivialises the consequences faced by migrants.

The most controversial game, “Rio Run,” is based on the classic Snake format. Players control a digital version of Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, as he pursues migrants represented by figures with different skin tones along a grid depicting the Rio Grande, which forms part of the US-Mexico border.

Another title, “Build the Wall,” takes inspiration from Tetris. Players stack sections of a border wall, with the game instructing them to “protect the border from the coming horde.”

Amerika Garcia Grewal, co-director of the Frontera Federation in Eagle Pass, Texas, said the games were disturbing and reflected a lack of sensitivity toward people affected by immigration policies.

She said the administration had been dealing with people’s lives as if they were a game and argued that the new website showed officials had lost sight of the human consequences of their policies.

Adriana Jasso, a programme coordinator at AMIGOS San Diego Community who works near the border, also criticised the project. She said presenting immigration enforcement as a game showed a lack of seriousness at a time when migrants face dangerous conditions and deaths in detention facilities.

The other three games focus on domestic policies.

“Supply Line,” inspired by the arcade game Tapper, requires players to sort food moving along a conveyor belt while rejecting products that do not meet standards associated with the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

“Flappy Bill,” based on Flappy Bird, features a bald eagle carrying legislation over Washington’s National Mall while avoiding obstacles.

“Trump Savings Tycoon” asks players to collect money falling from the sky to fill children’s Trump Accounts. The programme provides a $1,000 investment contribution for children born during Trump’s second term between 2025 and 2028.

The White House promoted the arcade through social media animations resembling loading screens from major gaming consoles. One video transformed the Sega logo into “MAGA,” followed by slogans promoting border construction, deportation and Trump Accounts.

The White House said the project was intended to present the president’s accomplishments in a format that would connect with Americans and contrast its approach with what it described as the Democrats’ vision for the country.

The launch comes as the administration expands its immigration arrest and deportation programme. It also follows earlier White House social media campaigns that used music and stylised videos to promote immigration enforcement, some of which attracted criticism over their presentation and use of copyrighted material.