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.
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.
Croc hunting on the cards in big game tourism plan
In a move toward big game tourism, crocodile hunting is among a number of reforms proposed under a shake-up of Queensland's management of the reptiles.
Vehicle or hazard: electric car charge rules under fire
Property developers say installing electric car chargers in apartment buildings is becoming almost impossible due to inconsistent safety rules.
Israeli tanks push ahead as displaced Gazans flee again
Displaced Gaza citizens are fleeing Rafah as Israeli tanks forge deeper into the southern city in a stepped-up offensive to root out remaining Hamas battalions.
EV crash victims could be left to die in battery fires
Emergency responders, mechanics and tow truck drivers need greater training in how to deal with electric vehicle crashes and fires, an inquiry has heard.
Why ‘noisy’ electric cars could save Australian lives
New rules will force electric and hybrid vehicles to make sounds at low speeds next year, in a move that could save the lives of Australian pedestrians.
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.
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.
Migrant water safety cash call after double drowning
The Victorian government is being urged to invest more in multicultural water safety education after the deaths of two men from Melbourne's Indian community.
Illegal dumpers blamed as parks asbestos confirmed
Victoria's environmental regulator says it has confirmed asbestos fragments in six Melbourne parks and think illegal dumpers are to blame.
Mulch producers ‘unlikely’ source of Vic parks asbestos
Victoria's environmental regulator has confirmed asbestos fragments in six Melbourne parks but doesn't believe mulch producers are to blame.
Hackers dial up data extortion, email attacks
Hackers are stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses in email attacks, a cybersecurity report shows, but ransomware is becoming less common.
Dumping and dirty sites could be asbestos mulch cause
Victoria's environmental regulator confirms asbestos fragments have been found at six Melbourne parks, but does not believe mulch producers are to blame.
Call for e-bike and e-scooter restrictions, EV training
An inquiry is exploring if new rules are needed to safely operate electric and hybrid cars but it's two-wheeled vehicles that are getting the most attention.
abusive behaviour
children
computing and information technology
consumers
internet
online
safety of citizens
science and technology
technology (general)
wireless technology
Search engine rules to ban AI-generated abuse images
New rules for search engines will ban child abuse and terrorist content in Australia but will also seek to prevent abuse images being created by AI tools.
Two states push national summer drowning toll to 99
A spike in summer drownings in Victoria and Queensland has pushed the national toll higher but surf lifesavers suggest it could have been much worse.
Electric wreck picked to bits in pursuit of fire safety
Firefighters have dismantled a burnt-out electric car to confirm how it caught fire, but experts say incidents are far less frequent than people might expect.
Aussies saved by smartwatches to front tech campaign
Two Australians, rescued in different ways by smartwatch technology, will tell their stories in short films created by Apple.
‘No safety boost’ from axing terrorists’ citizenship
Experts have picked apart laws that strip Australian citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious offences, saying the powers don't increase safety.
Cheap, damaged e-scooters may be banned in apartments
Apartment managers will be encouraged to restrict the use of e-scooter "cheap imports" in by-laws and educate residents about using technology safely.
High-risk AI use could be banned by new task force
Using artificial intelligence technology in risky tasks such as social scoring and biometric identification could be banned in Australia by a new group.
Solar battery faces compulsory recall after house fires
Australia's consumer watchdog is weighing up whether to issue a compulsory recall for an LG solar battery after 13 fires, including one that destroyed a house.
Young boy bitten in latest dingo attack on island
A dingo has bitten a boy on a Queensland island in the fourth such attack in as many weeks, with the young victim taken by boat to hospital on the mainland.
More than 500 Tesla Model 3s recalled for safety change
A new model of one of the most popular electric cars in Australia is being recalled for safety reasons just weeks after arriving in the country.
E-scooter deaths remain a mystery, motoring group warns
The number of people killed or injured in e-scooter accidents in Australia remains unclear due to inconsistent reporting between states, a group has warned.
Major automaker recalls electric cars due to fire risk
A recall has been issued for more than 200 electric vehicles after Audi discovered an issue with their batteries that could increase the risk of a fire.
business (general)
computing and information technology
internet
online
safety of citizens
science and technology
security
security measures
technology (general)
New rules warn of AI data poisoning, attacks and theft
Australia's top cybersecurity agency has issued guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence technology, warning businesses about privacy and data risks.
Top-selling Tesla misses safety mark in Australia
The second most popular electric car sold in Australia could face a recall after it failed to secure a five-star safety rating.
Fisherman’s lucky escape as crocodile leaps into tinnie
Wildlife officers are on the lookout for a potentially dangerous crocodile after it reportedly leapt onto a small boat while a man was fishing.
Faulty batteries could cause fatalities this Christmas
Safety experts have called on Christmas shoppers to choose e-bikes and e-scooters carefully after a growing number of lithium-ion battery fires.