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Oracle NetSuite Misconfiguration Exposes Customer Data
AI Demand Drives Alibaba Cloud’s Growth as E-commerce Slows
Consumers Power Through Inflation, Driving July Retail Sales Surge
Amazon to Test Prime Air Drone Delivery in the UK
Debate Intensifies Over AI Humanoid Robots in Factories and Stores
ECOMMERCE SECURITY
Oracle NetSuite Misconfiguration Exposes Customer Data on Thousands of Websites
A widespread misconfiguration in Oracle NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce platform has exposed sensitive customer data across thousands of websites, cybersecurity firm AppOmni revealed.
The issue arises from misconfigured access controls on custom record types (CRTs) used by businesses to store critical data like addresses and phone numbers. This flaw, which affects externally facing stores, allows unauthorized access to sensitive information through leaky APIs.
Aaron Costello, Chief of SaaS Security Research at AppOmni, emphasized the severity, stating, “Thousands of these organizations are leaking sensitive customer data to the public through misconfigurations.”
Despite Oracle NetSuite urging customers to review security settings, many businesses might remain unaware of their vulnerabilities. Costello noted that NetSuite’s lack of accessible transaction logs hinders companies’ ability to detect exploitation.
This issue is part of a broader trend of rising SaaS security risks, with attackers increasingly targeting enterprise data. Organizations are advised to rethink their cybersecurity strategies, particularly by securing unnecessary data exposures on their platforms.
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ECOMMERCE AI
AI Demand Drives Alibaba Cloud’s Growth as E-commerce Slows
Alibaba Group Holding’s significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is paying off, with its cloud computing business emerging as a standout performer in the company’s latest quarterly earnings, despite disappointing results in e-commerce.
While Taobao and Tmall missed estimates amid intensifying competition, Alibaba’s cloud division reported robust growth, fueled by “very, very robust demand” for AI products. In the quarter ending June, AI-related revenue saw triple-digit year-on-year growth, driving a 6% increase in the Cloud Intelligence Group’s revenue to 26.5 billion yuan ($3.7 billion).
CEO Eddie Wu Yongming highlighted the “unsatisfied demand” for AI products, projecting double-digit growth in cloud revenue, with “more than half” driven by AI.
Meanwhile, Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, including Taobao and Tmall, saw a 1% revenue decline, reflecting ongoing challenges from competitors like PDD Holdings and ByteDance. “The decline in Taobao and Tmall revenue looks disappointing,” noted JPMorgan analysts, though they acknowledged some success in Alibaba’s new investment strategy.
As China’s e-commerce sector faces “downward pressure”, Alibaba’s AI-driven cloud business could become increasingly vital to its growth.
ECOMMERCE SALES
Consumers Power Through Inflation, Driving July Retail Sales Surge
Consumers shrugged off inflation in July, leading to a surprising 1% rise in retail sales, well above the expected 0.4% increase, according to the Commerce Department.
Ten out of 13 spending categories tracked by the government saw gains, though some discretionary areas faltered. Sales at sporting goods stores fell 0.7%, clothing stores dipped 0.1%, and miscellaneous retailers dropped 2.5%.
Grocery store sales outpaced spending at eating and drinking establishments, rising 1% compared to a 0.3% increase. Online retail also showed positive momentum with a 0.2% gain, helped by events like Prime Day, while electronics store sales jumped 1.6%.
The strong sales figures sent stocks up 1% in early trading Thursday, fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates as soon as next month.
As inflation remains just below 3%, retailers are cautiously optimistic about whether July’s momentum will carry into the critical fourth quarter. Non-discretionary categories like food and general merchandise saw strong growth, with companies like Walmart reporting over 4% growth in comparable sales.
ECOMMERCE TECH
Amazon to Test Prime Air Drone Delivery in the UK
Amazon is set to trial its Prime Air drone delivery service in the U.K., as part of a broader initiative to integrate drone flights into the country’s airspace.
The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced Thursday that Amazon, along with six other organizations, will participate in the experiment, which aims to explore the use of drones for delivering goods and services to remote locations.
The trial will test drones flying beyond the visual line of sight of operators, using advanced technologies for navigation, control, and collision avoidance. This data will help determine how drones can safely detect and avoid other aircraft, and how electronic signals can make them visible to airspace users and air traffic control.
The project will also assess the potential for drones to transform deliveries to less accessible regions and support services like offshore windfarm inspections and emergency medical supply deliveries.
“This program is key for CAA’s wider Airspace Modernisation Strategy,” said Simon Masters, deputy director at U.K. Research and Innovation.
Prime Air, a pet project of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, launched in the U.S. but has faced regulatory hurdles and delays. Amazon plans to introduce the service in the U.K. and Italy by late 2024, pending regulatory approval.
ECOMMERCE AI
Debate Intensifies Over AI Humanoid Robots in Factories and Stores
The potential for AI humanoid robots in factories and stores is sparking debate among experts about the future of work and commerce. As companies explore using these robots for tasks from assembly to customer service, experts anticipate a “gradual integration rather than rapid revolution.” Key challenges include technological development, workforce adaptation, and customer acceptance.
Ding Zhao, associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, referenced Henry Ford, saying, “Why is it that I always get a whole person when all I want is a pair of hands?” This skepticism underscores concerns about the effectiveness of humanoid robots compared to other automation forms.
Trials like BMW’s “Figure 02” robot in assembly lines show progress, but widespread use is still “five-plus years down the road,” according to Andy Williams of Exotec. As robots become more integrated, the focus will be on “upskilling or reskilling workers,” said Maria Kyrarini of Santa Clara University.
In customer service, functionality over appearance is key. “If the technology doesn’t meet customer needs, they will go elsewhere,” warned Mica Endsley of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Successful integration will require careful planning and human-centered design.
Signing off,
The Merchant @CartHustle