Free public wi-fi ‘gamechanger’ for remote communities
More than 20 communities will have free wi-fi in public spaces through a $20 million government program to address the digital divide in remote areas.
online
act of terror
breaking_news
espionage and intelligence
internet
justice and rights
online
politics
terrorism
Police, spy agencies could access encrypted messages
Right-wing extremism is threatening Australia and tackling the issue could require authorities to gain access to Australians' encrypted messages.
computing and information technology
inquiry
it/computer sciences
online
politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
software
technology (general)
An AI cop could help keep tech in check, inquiry hears
The government should appoint an artificial intelligence commissioner to oversee the technology, an inquiry has heard, amid concerns over unfair uses.
Social media ban won’t stop online risks, experts warn
Banning children from traditional social media platforms might not be as straightforward as Australian parents are being led to believe.
Tech giant concern as social media ban passes
The parent company for Facebook has hit out at a looming ban on under 16s for social media, labelling the process as rushed.
computing and information technology
government
government departments
online
politics (general)
science and technology
software
technology (general)
Hold the phone calls: digital services may save time
Australians could spend less time on the phone and the government could save money with a greater investment in digital services, a report says.
Losses mount as cybercrime targets Aussies, businesses
The number of online scams and cyber security threats are escalating as the federal government tries to stem the impact on Australians and businesses.
children
computing and information technology
consumers
internet
online
parent and child
regulatory policy and organisation
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
survey
teen-agers
Get off the internet: more dates, chats to go offline
It is not just governments considering social media bans: a study shows more Australians plan to disconnect and spend less time online.
Social media duty of care to users ‘a game changer’
Social media giants will need to take proactive steps to protect users and improve safety features under a digital duty of care introduced by the government.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
‘We have your back’: push to ban kids from social media
A push to ban Australian children under the age of 16 from social media has the support of families who have experienced the dark side of online content.
computing and information technology
crime, law and justice
election
fraud
internet
laws
national elections
online
political campaigns
political systems
science and technology
technology (general)
What the US election tells us about deepfake politics
Australian MPs are weighing how to curtail deepfake election advertisements, but a prominent artificial intelligence expert says a ban might be unnecessary.
children
computing and information technology
internet
it/computer sciences
online
politics
politics (general)
safety of citizens
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
teen-agers
Youth advocates poke holes in teen social media curbs
A lack of detail about proposed social media curbs is causing teens anxiety, young online safety and mental health representatives have told an inquiry.
children
computing and information technology
internet
laws
litigation and regulation
online
people - social issue
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
safety of citizens
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
teen-agers
Adults only: online codes to limit porn, gaming access
Australian internet users will have their age tested before they can access some gaming and pornographic websites under wide-ranging online safety proposals.
business (general)
business enterprises
computing and information technology
laws
online
productivity
regulatory policy and organisation
safety of citizens
science and technology
software
technology (general)
Deepfake images harming Aussie kids and businesses
Australia is being warned to bring in urgent laws and education to tackle AI-generated deepfake images that put companies and children at risk.
AI deepfake ads set to screen during federal election
An inquiry into AI technology has recommended laws be introduced to stop deepfake political ads, but not in time for the next federal election.
Children would lie about their age to evade YouTube ban
A teenage media proprietor says young Australians need to know more about a proposed social media ban as it could impact their education.
children
computing and information technology
internet
laws
online
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Banning kids from social media could cause greater harm
Mental health experts don't support proposals to ban children from accessing social media and are warning it could have unintended consequences.
computing and information technology
internet
laws
online
politics (general)
safety of citizens
science and technology
social issue
social problems
technology (general)
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.
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.
internet
laws
mass media
media
online
politics
politics (general)
social issue
social issues (general)
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.
Crackdown on doxxing but hate speech law under fire
As the federal government comes under pressure on weakened hate speech laws, fresh penalties will apply for disclosing private information online.
computing and information technology
inquiry
internet
media
online
politics (general)
science and technology
software
technology (general)
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.
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.
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.
computer crime
computing and information technology
crime, law and justice
internet
law enforcement
online
safety of citizens
social issue
technology (general)
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.
Social media giants face big fines in plan to ban kids
South Australia's planned laws banning children under 14 from social media should be overseen by a federal regulator and implemented nationally, a report says.
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.
Many Brazilians feel disconnected without X
Elon Musk's social media platform X has been shut down in Brazil making it largely inaccessible to millions of users on both the web and through mobile apps.
Next-level scammers move into the AI realm
Scams are becoming increasingly complex as criminals turn to artificial intelligence to create elaborate scams aimed at catching even the most experienced out.
business (general)
computing and information technology
consumer goods
consumers
economy (general)
internet
online
purchase
‘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.