Net News Today — August 28, 2026

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and today's news reflects the dynamic shifts underway. The internet's infrastructure and governance are getting a closer look, with Verisign announcing a price increase for .net domains, a move that may impact the online presence of many businesses and individuals. Meanwhile, concerns over governance and integrity are emerging in the internet's regional registries, as police investigate possible forgery in the recent AFRINIC election, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in these critical organizations.

As the tech industry continues to advance, talent and innovation are flowing across companies and sectors. Notable shifts include Barret Zoph, co-founder of Thinking Machines, moving from OpenAI to Google, reflecting the fluidity of expertise in the AI space. New developments are also emerging in social media, with reports of a new Twitter competitor on the horizon. On the AI front, concerns about rogue AI and hacking are being revisited, with a look back at instances where AI systems have been used to compromise other companies. Amidst these changes, major players like Salesforce are finding success with their flexible credit models, boasting that half of their bookings come from customers seeking more of their services, a testament to the adaptability and growth potential of the digital economy.

Today's signal:
• Verisign announces .net price increase (domainnamewire.com)
• Police investigating possible forgery at AFRINIC election (theregister.com)
• Barret Zoph, the Thinking Machines co-founder who defected to OpenAI, is now at Google (techcrunch.com)
• Hold up, there’s a new Twitter in the town (techcrunch.com)
• Here’s all the times AI has gone rogue and hacked other companies (techcrunch.com)
• Salesforce boasts: 50% of bookings were from 'customers refilling the tank... they consume Flex Credits, they want more' (theregister.com)