consumers

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Telstra, Optus end Google deals after watchdog warning

Internet behemoth Google paid Australia's top two telcos to be the default search engine on Android phones for seven years, the competition watchdog has found.

business (general) business enterprises consumers internet it/computer sciences mass media media online technology (general)

Watchdog warning ends Google deal with Telstra, Optus

Telstra and Optus have agreed to stop accepting payments from Google under deals to pre-install the tech giant's search software as default on their phones.

consumers corporate crime economy, business and finance politics

‘Deep flaws’ in ASIC enforcement prompt calls for split

A bloated remit and chronic under-resourcing at Australia's corporate watchdog have been canvassed in a scathing parliamentary report.

auto trends automotive equipment construction and property consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure consumers energy energy (general) energy resources environmental issue renewable energy road transport transport

Old apartment blocks struggling to support EV take-up

More Australians are buying electric cars but experts warn millions of apartment dwellers may delay making purchases if they can't charge the vehicles at home.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy politics technology (general)

Smart meters to keep the lights on, one home at a time

Some $50 million for the latest home energy tech aims to help consumers save money by controlling car charging, solar panels, batteries, hot water and aircon.

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Aussies cooking with gas not nuclear under network plan

Renewable energy and more gas is the cheapest way to power a net-zero economy, with electricity demand tipped to double by 2050 as homes and cars go electric.

automotive equipment consumer goods consumers environmental issue environmental pollution recalls (products) road transport safety of citizens transport

Hundreds of high-end EVs recalled over battery fault

More than 1400 luxury electric vehicles have been recalled in Australia over a fault that the regulator warns could cause serious accidents.

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Riders urged to recycle e-bike batteries amid fire risk

Australia's battery recycling scheme has started accepting lithium batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters and is urging riders to research their disposal.

agriculture consumers environmental issue environmental politics food - consumer goods

Australia’s organic rules a hot mess for consumers

Australia's regulation of organic products is laughable by world standards and the result is a legion of confused consumers, advocates for change say.

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Lies, bad ads, no rules – social media under scrutiny

Academics at six universities are teaming up to create a national body to investigate online misinformation, social media risks and missing regulations.

computing and information technology consumer goods consumers data protection internet online personal data collection research and development science and technology technology (general)

Why all smartphones are adding artificial intelligence

Apple has revealed plans to put ChatGPT in iPhones and, with Google and Samsung embracing AI tools, experts say they will soon be ubiquitous.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue natural gas politics

Not the size of the energy build, but how we use it

Many households are reducing their carbon footprint but without efficient homes or smart meters they may not be getting the best value out of clean energy.

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Australian workers lead AI race but do not trust it

More office workers are testing artificial intelligence technology in Australia than in many other nations, a survey has found, but most do not trust it.

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Electric cars are not the only fix for green transport

Governments will need to look at more than just electric vehicles to make significant transport emission cuts, modelling from Monash University says.

computing and information technology consumers election internet it/computer sciences national elections online science and technology technology (general)

Voters want a ban on AI election ads to stop deepfakes

Most Australians worry artificial intelligence technology will be used to mislead voters and would like to see it banned from political ads.

auto trends automotive equipment consumer goods consumers economy (general) environmental pollution road transport sales transport

Aussies spend big on cars but choose fuel-saving models

Australian drivers bought a record number of new vehicles in May, with many choosing to reduce their fuel costs by choosing hybrid and electric models.

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Medibank could face $21.5 trillion fine over data theft

The Australian Information Commissioner will take Medibank to court over a 2022 data breach, seeking penalties that could reach into the trillions of dollars.

auto trends automotive equipment consumer goods consumers environmental issue environmental pollution road transport transport

Oh what a feeling! Toyota petrol cars end of the road

Australia's most popular vehicle brand has announced plans to discontinue sales of nine petrol models in favour of hybrid cars due to rising demand.

air pollution consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure consumers energy (general) environmental issue environmental pollution pollution road transport transport

How green is your transport? Uber to rate your rides

Uber will give users more than a passenger rating in future, revealing plans to estimate the carbon emissions they save by choosing electric and hybrid cars.

banking construction and property consumers economy, business and finance electrical appliance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue finance (general) politics

Green bank unlocks cheap loans for home energy upgrades

Some $60 million in cheap loans is up for grabs as part of a $1 billion federal fund to encourage homeowners to install solar panels and batteries.

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Narrators call for laws to prevent losing their voice

Australian voice actors are already losing animation, audiobook and ad voiceovers to AI creations and they're calling for regulations to protect the industry.

consumer goods consumers energy energy (general) energy resources recalls (products) renewable energy safety of citizens

LG battery recall ramps up as 4400 homes remain at risk

Faulty solar batteries that have caused house fires are still being used in thousands of Australian homes, forcing LG to intensify recall efforts.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy natural gas oil and gas - downstream activities oil and gas - upstream activities politics

Shipping gas from coast to coast could solve shortfall

The gas industry says it is misunderstood, particularly by millennials, as the rubber hits the road to net zero amid an impending gas shortfall in some regions.

auto trends automotive equipment consumer goods consumers environmental issue environmental pollution renewable energy road transport transport

Hybrid sales charge ahead as electric cars slow down

Aussie drivers have snapped up a record number of new vehicles in 2024 despite challenging economic conditions, with big and hybrid vehicles popular.

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Commissioner warns of ‘tech wreck’ from unchecked abuse

As Australia races to retrofit laws for generative artificial intelligence, the nation's eSafety commissioner says investigators face real-life harms every day.

auto trends automotive equipment consumer goods consumers environmental issue environmental politics environmental pollution road transport transport

More Aussies to buy an electric car, but price a factor

Almost one in three motorists who intend to buy a car in the next year will shop for an electric model, but high prices are slowing adoption rates.

consumers family parent and child road transport safety of citizens transport

Uber to let Australian teens ride solo, in some states

Passengers as young as 13 years old will be able to order a ride under a new service being launched by Uber in three states and territories.

auto trends computing and information technology consumers environmental issue environmental pollution online road transport technology (general) transport

‘Why not walk?’ Google Maps to roll out green features

Tech giant Google will introduce a series of features designed to save fuel or car trips to celebrate Earth Day.

consumers economy, business and finance electricity production and distribution energy environmental issue politics

Call for home battery cash to support solar milestones

Solar power is breaking records, and reigniting calls for a home battery saver program of up to $6500 to allow households to get more value from their rooftops.

computing and information technology consumers research research and development road transport safety of citizens science and technology technology (general) transport

Tesla and Hyundai reveal plans to replace taxi drivers

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised to reveal a self-driving robotaxi in August but transport experts say autonomous technology is not ready for the road.

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