Popular car brand earns $24m debt under pollution rules
Some of the most popular car companies in Australia and a selection of luxury brands have failed to meet emissions targets in their first year of operation.
litigation and regulation
Artificial announcers to be outed in radio rule refresh
Radio stations must reveal if they are using AI voices to host radio shows under a revised code of practice although rules will not apply to all segments.
Tech behemoths lashed over child abuse protections
Technology giants are not doing enough to tackle the worst examples of child sexual abuse material online, according to Australia's online safety boss.
Australian social media ban both a success and failure
Australian laws banning children from social media have the world talking but two months in, experts say they are far from foolproof.
The chatbot will see you now: why AI is tackling health
After being swamped with medical questions, one AI firm is trialling a dedicated health service. Experts say more are coming and their prognosis is unclear.
CBA to repay $68m in fees to low-income customers
Following a report by ASIC, the Commonwealth Bank says it's repaying $68 million to low-income customers who incurred unusually high banking fees.
‘Unconscionable’: major bank’s record fine bumped up
ANZ has been fined $250 million for widespread misconduct and systemic failures that impacted the federal government, taxpayers and thousands of customers.
Casino group boss cashes in his chips after 18 months
An embattled casino operator is on the hunt for a new boss, just weeks after regulators signed off on a rescue package from an American gambling giant.
Search hit: court orders massive fine against Google
The world's biggest search provider will face a substantial penalty for breaking Australia's competition laws, a court has ruled, after doing deals with telcos.
Embryo bungle earns IVF giant new licence conditions
A state watchdog has slapped a major IVF clinic with conditions for it to continue operating, after a patient was mistakenly implanted with her own embryo.
Ready or not, social media ban demands a family plan
Australia's world-first social media ban for children under 16 is imminent but the details of its rollout and enforcement remain fuzzy.
WiseTech cops first strike on pay as probe continues
An impassioned speech from an Australian technology mogul wasn't enough to woo shareholders into approving a corporate pay deal after a year of controversy.
Snap decision: another social app issues age warnings
Snapchat is the latest social media app to issue warnings to young Australian users and will ask thousands of people to verify their age.
Social media ban lacks teeth, former executive warns
Social media giants earning billions in revenue will view penalties under Australia's ban for under-16s as "peanuts", a former Facebook executive says.
Collect ’em all: call for widespread battery recycling
Australia's voluntary battery recycling scheme will be allowed to continue but with limited uptake, the public could benefit if more devices were collected.
Microsoft apologises for AI confusion, offers refunds
A tech giant will offer refunds to millions of its Australian users over what it calls unclear pricing for access to its artificial intelligence tool.
‘Slam dunk’: Microsoft sued for misleading Aussie users
Microsoft might have misled millions of Australian customers when it sent emails about higher fees for its flagship AI assistant.
Australia falling behind as experts call for AI urgency
The juice will be worth the squeeze for workers and businesses if Australia quickly and carefully forges on with artificial intelligence, industry figures say.
Appliance reliance: consumers want repairability labels
Most Australians want to know how long they can expect expensive appliances to work and whether they can be repaired easily, a study shows.
Ratings system to help drivers navigate road safety
How safe are the roads you regularly travel? A free online tool ranks most major arterial roads out of five stars and its maker plans to expand it.
Taking the wheel: drivers may soon supervise their cars
Self-driving cars are being tested on Australian roads but motorists and experts are divided about whether they will drive greater safety or greater problems.
Why Australian AI regulation could be a legal patchwork
Artificial intelligence may not be governed by a single, dedicated law in Australia but experts say changes to several existing laws could offer protection.
Aussie workers sceptical of AI coming for their jobs
A slim majority of workers believe the government can be trusted to regulate artificial intelligence and most think it will augment rather than replace jobs.
Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
Google cops $55m fine for search engine deals on phones
Google engaged in anti-competitive behaviour when it asked telcos to install only its search engine on phones, Australia's competition watchdog says.
Australia’s frustration with motor insurance grows
Australia's financial product watchdog continues to grapple with a mountain of complaints, with car insurance the leading cause of consumer consternation.
Greenwashing lawsuit to test ‘overstated’ gas claims
Claims about the future of renewable gas will be tested in Federal Court after the competition regulator launched its biggest greenwashing lawsuit to date.
Australian shares hit record close as bank stocks surge
Banks and energy stocks have helped lift the local bourse to record highs, but continued growth will hinge on the outcome of US-China trade talks.
Aussies prompt politicians for real action on AI rules
More than two-in-three Australians want restrictions on artificial intelligence technology, but the issue has not been raised in election campaigning.
Is it down? Strict rules for telcos that suffer outages
Phone and internet users will be given more details when their services drop out under rules imposed on telecommunication providers.
State oversight of flailing Star’s casino extended
Casino operator Star Entertainment has accepted a watchdog needs to continue overseeing its tables in Sydney amid financial woes and remediation works.