Parent groups urge total ban on child social media use
No child should be allowed to access social media networks in Australia, an inquiry has heard, and parents would also benefit from a blanket ban.
internet
Google reveals plans to add AI to Aussie search results
Google's generative AI tool will explain search results in Australia as part of a technology trial but experts warn to watch for serious or funny mistakes.
Red flag over Russian operation targeting Aust media
Evidence has been uncovered to show a disinformation campaign targeting the Australian media is being operated from inside Russia.
X doesn’t mark the spot when it comes to Twitter fine
X Corp should not be responsible for fines issued to Twitter by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, its lawyers argued, as they are different companies.
Australia a step closer to social media bans for kids
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is unveiling plans to introduce age limits for social media as new research highlights its negative impact on life satisfaction.
Social media ban poses barrier to mental health support
Mental health services and youth advocacy groups say they will find it harder to connect with young people if the government goes ahead with a social media ban.
X Corp says Twitter does not exist, fines should vanish
American legal experts have taken the stand in Federal Court as lawyers for the social network known as X argue it should not have to pay Twitter's fines.
Children promised a say on social media age ban plans
Some young people will get around an age limit on social media but a ban is still needed to protect children, the prime minister says.
Privacy law calls as Meta admits farming Aussie photos
Experts are calling for changes to privacy laws after Meta revealed Australian photos from Facebook and Instagram were being used to train AI tools.
Social media misinformation to be policed by watchdog
The communications watchdog will be given new powers to crack down on misinformation on digital platforms under proposed federal laws.
Meta’s latest news ban an error but maybe not next time
Facebook parent company Meta has told an inquiry it did not intend to block news stories from its platforms in August, but it is keeping its options open.
‘Kill switch’ considered to tackle high-risk AI
Artificial intelligence has been met with both concern and hype but government guidelines could help regulate its use in high-risk situations.
‘Let me out’: Aussies need help with subscription traps
Most Australians have struggled to cancel a subscription and some have given up entirely, a report has warned amid calls for legal reforms.
Snapchat rejects Aussie calls to raise social media age
Lifting the age limit for children on social media platforms would leave existing users adrift, Snapchat's safety head says, and should be a family decision.
Aussies want AI restrictions, though most don’t use it
Generative AI tools are a concern for a growing number of Australians, a report has found, even though only two in five have tried the technology.
Amazon tests AI for audiobooks but new rules are coming
Amazon is testing AI-generated voices for audiobooks in the absence of guidance, its executives say, as government officials reveal AI rules are in the works.
Broadband speed boosts slow NBN Co’s path to profit
More copper connections have been replaced with faster fibre over the past year, NBN Co has revealed, but the broadband boost proved expensive.
Cybersecurity worker shortage could put Aussies at risk
Australia does not have enough cybersecurity specialists to protect consumers from further data breaches, a report warns, amid calls for greater training.
A sad day for democracy … and succulent Chinese meals
The man dubbed Mr Democracy Manifest and responsible for one of Australia's most famous viral memes has died aged 82 after a battle with cancer.
Social media summit to reveal evidence for teen ban bid
A joint state government summit on social media will address its "profound" harm on young people, and inform moves to impose age restrictions.
abusive behaviour
breaking_news
computing and information technology
internet
media
regulatory policy and organisation
social issue
Tech giants on notice over ‘blindness’ to abuse content
Tech companies treat child sexual abuse content with "wilful blindness" but the online safety watchdog will soon force them to face uncomfortable truths.
Deepfake crackdown looms as ‘nudify’ apps in spotlight
The eSafety commissioner has called for more powers to tackle apps that enable image-based abuse by using artificial intelligence to undress or "nudify" women.
AI curiosity soars, but not everyone’s comfortable
More Australians are turning to artificial intelligence technology to learn new skills, a Google report shows, but others want to identify when it's being used.
‘Teething issues’ to linger after global IT outage
A senior government minister is warning it could be up to two weeks before Australia's systems return to normal after the hugely disruptive CrowdStrike outage.
Emergency meeting to determine response to tech outage
Australia remains in the "recovery stage" from a massive global tech outage as government agencies and industry representatives meet to discuss next steps.
Businesses unlikely to receive redress after IT outage
Commerce groups say that businesses hit by the global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike probably won't be compensated and should use it as a learning experience.
Why Australian news could be banned from Facebook again
Banishing Australian news content from Facebook could devastate media outlets and disadvantage audiences, an inquiry into social media has heard.
PM takes aim at ‘arrogant’ social media giants
Social media giants have been criticised by the prime minister after a Meta executive told a parliamentary inquiry their platforms hadn't harmed children.
computing and information technology
inquiry
internet
media
online
people - social issue
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Child abuse and online safety risks probed at inquiry
Lawmakers and experts in child protection policies are expected to appear at a federal social media inquiry following controversial claims by Meta.
computing and information technology
inquiry
internet
media
online
people - social issue
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Would you show Facebook your ID? The govt wants to know
A $6.5 million age-assurance technology trial will test whether it can prevent teens accessing social networks and whether adults are willing to use it.
breaking_news
business (general)
business enterprises
consumers
internet
it/computer sciences
mass media
media
online
technology (general)
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.