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Google Set to Offer Significant Cloud Service Discounts to U.S. Government, FT Reports

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Google is preparing to offer steep discounts on its cloud computing services to the U.S. government, with a deal possibly finalized within weeks, according to the Financial Times. This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader push to reduce federal spending.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Oracle will provide federal agencies with a 75% discount on its license-based software and a substantial reduction on its cloud services through the end of November. Google’s upcoming cloud contract is expected to offer similar discounts, the FT said, citing a senior official from the General Services Administration (GSA). Discounts from Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services are also anticipated to follow soon.

The GSA official told the FT, “Every single one of those companies is totally bought in, they understand the mission. We will get there with all four players.”

Neither Google nor the GSA immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment outside business hours. In April, Google agreed to provide a 71% discount on its business apps package for federal agencies through September 30, a deal that could yield up to $2 billion in government-wide savings if broadly adopted.

DOGE Staffer ‘Big Balls’ Linked to Cybercrime Group, Records Show

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Edward Coristine, known by his nickname “Big Balls,” a key member of Elon Musk’s DOGE Service team, provided technical support to a cybercrime group involved in illegal activities, including cyberstalking and data trafficking, according to digital records reviewed by Reuters.

Coristine’s Role in DiamondCDN and EGodly

Coristine, a 19-year-old technologist, founded a company named DiamondCDN around 2022, which offered network services. The company was linked to EGodly, a cybercrime ring that boasted about engaging in criminal activities such as stealing data and cyberstalking law enforcement officials. Digital records show that between October 2022 and June 2023, DiamondCDN’s infrastructure was used to support EGodly’s website, dataleak.fun, which was involved in cybercrimes. EGodly publicly thanked DiamondCDN for providing them with DDoS protection and caching systems.

Connection to Government Agencies

Despite these associations, Coristine has been recognized for his work with U.S. government agencies. He is listed as a “senior adviser” at the State Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His name also appears in their staff directories, raising concerns about his involvement in securing government networks despite his previous ties to cybercriminals. Coristine describes himself as a “Volunteer (Intern) Plumber” with the U.S. government on his LinkedIn profile.

EGodly’s Cybercrimes and FBI Targeting

EGodly, the group with which Coristine’s company had ties, was known for a variety of cybercrimes, including hijacking phone numbers, breaking into law enforcement email accounts, and stealing cryptocurrency. The group also posted personal information about an FBI agent they targeted for harassment. The group’s members were reportedly involved in the dangerous practice of swatting, which involves making hoax emergency calls to send armed officers to targeted locations. Law enforcement has been aware of EGodly’s activities due to its connection to cybercrime and swatting incidents.

Concerns Over National Security

Nitin Natarajan, former deputy director of CISA, expressed concern over the potential risks posed by Coristine’s past associations with EGodly, noting that it is troubling for someone with such connections to hold a position in government security. This raises questions about the vetting process and the broader implications of such individuals gaining access to sensitive government networks.

Signal Defends Security After US Military Leak, Criticizes WhatsApp Metadata Collection

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Signal president Meredith Whittaker defended the app’s security on Wednesday following a mishap in which U.S. government officials accidentally included a journalist in an encrypted chat discussing potential military action in Yemen. The incident has been flagged by some lawmakers as a national security breach, but Whittaker emphasized Signal’s strength in protecting private communications.

Signal’s Commitment to Security

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Whittaker described Signal as the “gold standard in private comms” and highlighted the app’s core principles of being open-source, nonprofit, and focused on privacy. She reiterated Signal’s commitment to end-to-end encryption and its efforts to protect metadata—something she argued sets it apart from competitors like Meta’s WhatsApp.

Growing Popularity and Privacy Advocacy

Signal has seen a rise in popularity in both Europe and the U.S. due to its privacy-conscious approach, with minimal data collection from users. According to Sensor Tower, Signal’s U.S. downloads increased by 16% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, and by 25% compared to the same period in 2024. Whittaker also emphasized Signal’s superiority over WhatsApp, citing the latter’s collection of metadata, which can reveal detailed patterns about users’ communication habits.

WhatsApp’s Response

In contrast, WhatsApp defended its approach in a statement, explaining that metadata is essential for preventing spam and maintaining service integrity. The company assured users that it does not track personal message content or use metadata for targeted advertising.

Conclusion

Despite the security lapse involving U.S. officials, Whittaker’s defense of Signal as a privacy-focused communication tool underscores its growing role in offering secure alternatives to mainstream messaging apps like WhatsApp. The incident also draws attention to the increasing importance of data privacy and the handling of sensitive communications in the digital age.