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Cyberbeat is dedicated to providing fearless, clear and concise independent citizen journalism covering cybersecurity and information privacy with cyber news and features.

Surveillance State? The US Government’s Partnership with Palantir Raises Eyebrows

24 May 2025
A massive $96 million contract between ICE and Palantir unveils new levels of data collection and surveillance aimed at “complete target analysis” of populations.
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Microsoft's European Engagement: Innovation or Intrusion?

08 May 2025
While Microsoft's commitment to enhancing Europe's digital landscape is commendable, skeptics question whether its growing footprint aligns with regional integrity and regulatory standards.
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Unleash the Future: EU's Strategic Tech Pivot

08 May 2025
As the EU navigates the complexities of tech reliance, it seeks to forge strategic partnerships globally, unlocking new business opportunities and spearheading innovations for a tech-empowered future.
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Government's Secret Deal: The YouTube Exemption from Social Media Ban

01 May 2025
Discover the backdoor decision-making process that has competitors fuming as YouTube gets a controversial green light to continue operating under new teen social media restrictions.
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Macquarie Bank's AI: Your Smart Financial Sidekick

01 May 2025
Macquarie Bank is pioneering AI-driven solutions to simplify financial management and enhance customer satisfaction by reducing cognitive burdens.
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Google Found Guilty of Ad Monopoly

24 April 2025
A US judge finds Google guilty of monopolising online ad technology, setting a major legal precedent. What's next for the tech giant?
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AI Storms Ahead: Revolutionising Weather Predictions

17 April 2025
Experience the accuracy of AI forecasting, as it surpasses traditional models to predict Cyclone Alfred's path, marking a new era in weather prediction.
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Cyber Heist Steals Millions from Aussie Super Fund

17 April 2025
A sophisticated cyberattack on Australian superannuation funds, including AustralianSuper, has led to a significant financial loss, underscoring the critical necessity for stronger security protocols such as mandatory multi-factor authentication to safeguard retirement savings.
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Big Brother by Microsoft: Your Personal AI Spy with a Recall Function

17 April 2025
Microsoft's new AI tool, Copilot+ Recall, offers users the ability to search past activities effortlessly by capturing screen snapshots, leaving many pondering the balance between convenience and the looming concerns of privacy invasion.
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Freedom or Overreach? The Rising Tide of Online Arrests in the UK

17 April 2025
The UK's surge in online-related arrests under strict communication laws sparks heated debate over the balance between public safety and free speech.
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Authors Demand Justice: Meta's Unauthorised Use of Literary Works Sparks Outrage

03 April 2025
Australia's renowned authors find themselves embroiled in controversy as they uncover Meta's unauthorised usage of their literary masterpieces for AI development, prompting calls for legal action and fair compensation.
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Secure Messaging Scandal: Are Your Conversations Truly Safe?

03 April 2025
As concerns rise over officials using disappearing message apps, ensure your communication methods align with security and record-keeping standards to protect sensitive information.
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Google Settles Long-Running Ad Lawsuit with $100 Million Agreement

03 April 2025
Google agrees to a substantial settlement to resolve a 14-year-old legal dispute over ad pricing practices, marking a significant conclusion to the long-standing allegations.
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Apple's Age-Check Tech: A Game Changer for Under-16 Social Media Use

21 March 2025
Apple's impending technology could revolutionise child safety on social media platforms, potentially enforcing Australia's under-16s social media ban.
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Medical Data at Risk as GPs adopt AI Scribes

21 March 2025
You will consent to artificial intelligence (AI) listening in on the consult.
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Apple's Security Shut Down: UK Users Lose Encrypted Protection!

21 March 2025
In a drastic move, Apple has decided to remove Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for UK users in response to government demands for access to encrypted user data.
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Industry Giants Rally Behind EUCS: A New Era in Cloud Security!

21 March 2025
Twenty-three major industry groups across Europe are championing for prompt adoption of the updated European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme (EUCS) for cloud services, claiming it strikes the right balance between robust security and open-market growth for Europe's digital economy.
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Youth Defiance: Aussie Kids Outsmart Social Media Age Limit Ahead of Landmark Ban!

27 February 2025
Despite future under-16 prohibition, Australian children are found easily bypassing minimum age restrictions on prominent social media platforms, as per the latest eSafety report.
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Apple's $500 Billion US Investment Boom: Tech Giant to Supercharge AI and Create 20,000 New Jobs!

27 February 2025
Apple announces ambitious plans to invest $500 billion in North American projects, including a Texas AI server factory, creating 20,000 R&D jobs and boosting Apple TV+ production.
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Crypto Scam Strikes: Penny Wong's Image Misused on Social Platforms!

20 February 2025
Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister falls victim to unethical cryptocurrency scams prowling social media, teetering on the brink of a hefty $50m fine for such false promotions.
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Crypto Scams Skyrocket: Artificial Intelligence Fuels Historic $12.4 Billion Blow!

20 February 2025
Crypto scams, bolstered by the rise of 'pig butchering' scams and sophisticated AI technologies, soared to a potential record $12.4 billion in 2024, as revealed in a report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis
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Google Maps Under Fire: Gulf of America Controversy Ignites Review Blockade

20 February 2025
Facing backlash for rebranding the Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America, Google Maps has blocked reviews and is accused of mass review deletion.
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ChatGPT in Court: When Legal Tech Goes Wrong

13 February 2025
An Australian lawyer is under scrutiny after using AI platform ChatGPT to write court filings, which resulted in the generation of non-existent case citations.
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Monitoring Meltdown: Victoria's Premier Launches Probe into Troubling Closure of Bail Tracking Company

13 February 2025
Premier Jacinta Allan vows investigation as bail service company Bail Safe shuts down without notifying authorities, leaving offenders in Victoria unobserved.
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Government-Microsoft VSA Rockets to a Whopping $954 Million!

06 February 2025
Renewed for another year, the Australian Federal Government's volume sourcing agreement with Microsoft hits nearly 10 times its original value, reflecting growing agency demand for Microsoft 365 and Azure services.
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WhatsApp Users at Risk: Major Spyware Attack Unleashed!

06 February 2025
In a shocking revelation, about 100 journalists and civil society members using the popular messaging app WhatsApp were potentially compromised by spyware, a serious violation of privacy and security orchestrated by Israeli company Paragon Solutions.
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Google's Ethical AI Turn: Removes ‘Harm’ Clause from Principles!

06 February 2025
Google has ominously altered its AI principles, removing a key commitment to avoid potentially harmful technology use, including weapons, sparking concerns over the future applications of its AI technology.
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Trump Stirs the Pot: TikTok's Bidding War Could Reshape Silicon Valley!

30 January 2025
The US President instigates a potential bidding war over the popular app TikTok, suggesting that Microsoft's acquisition could be in the horizon once again after initial talks fell through.
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Military Might in the Cloud: How Israel Leverages Microsoft's Tech for Warfare

30 January 2025
An investigation reveals the Israeli military's escalating use of Microsoft and OpenAI's cloud and AI services, embedding tech staff within army units, and raising ethical questions about technology's role in conflict.
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Revolutionising Data Storage: First Moon-Based Data Centre Set for Lift Off!

30 January 2025
Florida-based Lonestar Data Holdings is planning to launch 'Freedom Data Centre' on the Moon, offering unparalleled security and eco-friendly operations to high-profile clients, including the state of Florida and Imagine Dragons.
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AI-Powered Innovation: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Revolutionises Software Development Process.

30 January 2025
CBA is set to incorporate AI tools across its entire software development workflow, aiming to streamline system operations, foster creativity and deliver personalised solutions through an AI specialist team.
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Breaking the Sound Barrier: Men Interrupt AI Voice Assistants More! Are Gender Stereotypes Reinforced Through Tech?

30 January 2025
Delve into intriguing new research from Johns Hopkins that exposes the disturbing trend of men interrupting AI voice assistants more frequently than women, showcasing how tech design may inadvertently perpetuate gender biases.
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Apple Pulls Back a Step: AI News Feature Suspended Over Inaccuracy

30 January 2025
Tech titan Apple retracts a new AI feature amid criticism for its erroneous news summaries, proving that even the biggest players can fall when technology oversteps the boundaries of accuracy.
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Safeguarding Global Connectivity: UN Tech Agency Launches Submarine Cable Protection Body

19 January 2025
Taking a monumental step towards global communication resilience, the UN's technology agency introduces a specialised body dedicated to fortifying submarine cables, accelerating repair times, and ensuring uninterrupted access to crucial international data.
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Australia Turns Up the Heat on Tech Giants with New News Content Payment Policies

19 January 2025
The Australian government is implementing new rules to charge major tech firms who do not compensate local media companies for news content, raising tensions between international tech companies and Australian publishers.
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Tackling Crime the AI Way: Australian Federal Police Harnessing Power of Artificial Intelligence

19 January 2025
As technology overwhelms traditional investigation methods, the Australian Federal Police deploys AI to probe into an average of 40 terabytes of data per case, including child exploitation materials, cybercrime reports, and translation of foreign language content
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Charting New Courses: Spain Seeks Health Warnings on Smartphones!

12 January 2025
In a groundbreaking move, Spanish experts recommend health warnings on digital devices, urging government to address mobile phone addiction as a public health concern.
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FBI Cautions Mobile Users: Switch from Texts to Encrypted Messaging Now!

12 January 2025
Amidst rising cyber threats from China, the FBI strongly recommends the use of encrypted communication channels for iPhone and Android users.
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Securing America's Data: A New FCC Proposal Aims to Thwart Cyberattacks

12 January 2025
Unveiling a new plan to combat cyber threats, FCC Chairwoman proposes an annual certification for communication service providers to affirm their defenses against hacking.
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Crypto Heist Rampage: North Korean Hackers Steal Billions!

02 January 2025
In a staggering revelation, a study reported that $2.2bn worth of cryptocurrencies were stolen this year, with North Korean hackers contributing to over half of this illicit bounty, revealing a pressing need for robust crypto security measures.
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NSW Police Bolsters ID Recovery Efforts with Landmark Data-sharing Agreement!

02 January 2025
In a bid to counter rising cybercrime, the NSW Police has upgraded its collaboration with ID Support NSW, improving data-sharing capabilities to swiftly and effectively respond to identity theft incidents.
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Keep NBN Public for National Security, Urges Communication Workers Union

02 January 2025
The Communication Workers Union asserts the National Broadband Network (NBN) is integral to Australia's national security and economic stability, and should resist privatisation to safeguard national interests.
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Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban: A False Sense of Internet Safety?

05 December 2024
Despite the upcoming ban on social media usage for under-16s in Australia, experts caution parents about increased risks associated with complacency and the potential for children to explore less-regulated corners of the internet.
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Glitch in Justice: Computer Error Jeopardises Domestic Violence Victims in NSW

05 December 2024
A significant IT error modifies the expiration dates of thousands of Apprehended Violence Orders in New South Wales, leaving up to 150 victims of domestic and personal violence exposed due to premature expiration of court orders.
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Canadian Media Titans Take on OpenAI in Copyright Showdown

05 December 2024
Five leading Canadian news organisations file lawsuit against AI giant, OpenAI, alleging serial copyright infringements and misuse of their content without consent or compensation.
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Faulty AI in the Sky! New 'Meta-Powered Military Chatbot' Critiqued as Seriously Flawed

05 December 2024
Experts warn that Defence Llama, Meta's military chatbot, is giving dangerously inaccurate advice about military operations, reflecting its irresponsible and clumsy marketing strategy.
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Quantum Leap: Physicists Turn Quantum Computer Into Time Crystal!

28 November 2024
In an unprecedented breakthrough, physicists have successfully transformed a quantum processor into a time crystal - an extraordinary state of matter that could help make quantum computing more practical and less prone to errors.
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Australia Tightens Cyber Security: A New Frontier in Digital Protection

28 November 2024
Australia's first cyber security legislation, a key part of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, has now been passed, enforcing ransomware reporting, promoting information sharing during cyber incidents, and setting mandatory security standards for smart devices.
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Big Tech Breathes a Sigh of Relief: Australia's Misinformation Fines Dropped!

28 November 2024
In a surprising move, Australia's government retracts plans to levy large fines on internet platforms for failing to curb the spread of misinformation online, despite public demand for action.
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Robotic Revolution: AI Models Forge Hyper-Realistic Training Grounds for Autonomous Machines

28 November 2024
A cutting-edge system named LucidSim harnesses generative AI models and physics simulators to create lifelike virtual training environments, significantly enhancing robotic capabilities and success rate in the real world.
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Privacy in Peril: Australian App Developer Migrates to Switzerland Amid Law Enforcement Scrutiny!

28 November 2024
Amid hostility toward privacy-focused apps, Session, an Australian encrypted messaging app, shifts base to Switzerland, highlighting the tension between encryption developers and law enforcement agencies.
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Meta Hit with Hefty €798m Fine for Unfair Trade Practices!

28 November 2024
In a landmark move, the European Commission has imposed a €798m fine on Meta for violating competition laws, intensifying the ongoing scrutiny of big tech firms globally.
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Google's Glitch or Bias? Searches Favor Harris Over Trump in Polling Place Queries

14 November 2024
Discover how a 'technical glitch' in Google's search engine stirred a storm, by allegedly favouring Democratic candidate Kamala Harris over Republican candidate Donald Trump in directing U.S. voters to their polling stations.
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Optus Slapped with $12M Penalty for Emergency Call Failures During Major Outage

14 November 2024
Optus and associated subsidiaries were fined $12 million by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failing to manage Triple Zero calls and conduct welfare checks during a significant network outage.
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Face the Music: Businesses Risk $50M Fines For Scam Negligence!

14 November 2024
Under groundbreaking new laws, the Albanese government is wielding a $50 million hammer against companies that fail to prevent scams, marking an unprecedented move towards the world's strongest anti-scammer protection.
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Western Sydney Uni's IT systems compromised again

07 November 2024
The assailant, using stolen IT credentials, managed to breach the university's student management system and data warehouse and maintained access for a two-week period in August.
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Landmark Decision: Privacy Invasion Recognised in Australian Common Law

07 November 2024
In an unprecedented ruling, an Australian court awards a woman significant compensation for invasion of privacy by her father, setting a new standard in privacy laws.
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Artificial Intelligence Enters The Battlefield: U.S. Military Invests in OpenAI

07 November 2024
In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. military makes its first confirmed OpenAI purchase, sparking a debate about the ethical implications of AI technology in warfare.
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OpenAI Disbands Key Safety Team: A Step Forward or Reckless Move?

07 November 2024
OpenAI has disbanded its AGI Readiness Team, sparking concerns over the future safety of advanced artificial intelligence development and stirring debate within the industry.
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AI Rush: The Billion-Dollar Gamble!

07 November 2024
Tech giants Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon ramp up spending on AI data centres amidst Wall Street's demand for quick returns, triggering a possible threat to profitability and shareholder satisfaction.
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Apple Breaks New Ground With Intelligent Cloud Service Bug Program

31 October 2024
Apple is building public trust by launching a bug bounty program for their Apple Intelligence service's cloud compute system, open to all security and privacy researchers, with rewards up to $1 million for significant discoveries.
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AI's Unseen Consequence: Escalating the E-Waste Epidemic

31 October 2024
New studies indicate the rise of generative AI could lead to millions of tonnes of electronic waste by 2030, an issue as severe as discarding billions of smartphones annually – but smarter reuse & recycling strategies could significantly mitigate the problem.
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Unmasking the Future: Meta AI and Reuters Merge Power!

31 October 2024
Meta Platforms has broken new ground in a dystopian-like future by enlisting its AI chatbot to dispense Reuters' news and current events content in real-time, underscoring the seamless integration of technology and journalism.
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Nvidia Outshines Apple: Ascends the Throne as World's Most Valuable Company!

31 October 2024
Rediscover efficiency with Microsoft's Copilot Studio, an innovative AI tool enabling companies to automate tasks and create chatbots, sparking profound conversations around the future of the workplace.
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Welcome to the Future: Microsoft's Virtual Workforce Automation - A Paradigm Shift in Enterprise-Level AI

31 October 2024
Rediscover efficiency with Microsoft's Copilot Studio, an innovative AI tool enabling companies to automate tasks and create chatbots, sparking profound conversations around the future of the workplace.
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Delayed Paydays in AI World: Major Tech Contractors Face Pay Hiccups!

31 October 2024
Appen, the Australian company training AI systems for tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, grapples with delayed payments to a third of its contractors due to issues with its new worker management platform, CrowdGen.
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WP Engine Fights for Restoration: Opens Legal Battle against WordPress.org

24 October 2024
Web hosting provider, WP Engine, files for a court injunction in a bid to regain its access to the WordPress.org open source repository amid escalating legal tensions with WordPress co-creator, Matt Mullenweg and Automattic.
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Tipping Point in AI-Generated Child Abuse Content: A Growing Web Crisis

24 October 2024
The Internet Watch Foundation warns that child sexual abuse material, generated by artificial intelligence, is on the rise in the public sphere of the Internet, reaching alarming levels of sophistication and prevalence.
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DNA Dilemma: What Happens to Your Data if 23andMe Goes Bankrupt?

24 October 2024
Doubts arise over handling of genetic data as 23andMe's future remains uncertain
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TikTok Shakes Up Workforce: Paves Way for AI-Powered Content Moderation!

17 October 2024
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is laying off hundreds of employees worldwide in a significant transition towards AI for its content moderation, aiming to enhance its global trust and safety efforts.
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Epic Cyber Attack on Pokémon Kingdom! Game Freak Hit by Massive Data Breach!

17 October 2024
Game Freak, the renowned Pokémon creator, announces a significant data hack, with personal employee information and potential details about future projects leaked online.
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Welcome to The Meta Age: AI's Cold Grip Reaches UK and Brazil

17 October 2024
Meta's AI assistant, complete with AI-boosted sunglasses, launches in the UK and Brazil after overcoming regulatory barriers and product testing.
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Hacking Havoc: Unleashed Robot Vacuums Turn Home Invaders!

17 October 2024
n a shocking series of events, Chinese-made Ecovacs Deebot X2 robot vacuums across the US were hacked, with the attackers controlling the robots and using their onboard speakers to hurl obscenities.
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Fear of the Future: Packable, Autonomous Air Vehicles to Alter Battlefield Dynamics

17 October 2024
In a world of growing technology advances, California-based Anduril Industries unveils the Bolt family of man-packable, vertical takeoff and landing Autonomous Air Vehicles, set to heighten battlefield threats with their precision lethality. The profound human consequences of this innovation range from potential misuse, amplified warfare, and increased societal tension as the line between man and machine continues to blur.
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Beware AI Inception: Erasing the Line Between Reality and AI Memory Exploits

10 October 2024
One-Sentence Summary: "The discovery and exploitation of a vulnerability in the AI chatbot service ChatGPT, which allowed hackers to plant misleading data, raises profound safety and security questions.
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Microsoft to Redeploy AI Tool: Privacy Concerns Met with System Improvements

10 October 2024
In response to privacy issues, Microsoft has overhauled its AI tool, Recall, with new privacy safeguards and plans to re-launch it in November.
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Glitch or Glimpse of Sentience? OpenAI's Bot Proactively Engages with Users!

10 October 2024
A Reddit post reveals OpenAI's AI bot initiating conversations, creating waves in the AI community despite the company's assurance of it being a mere technological glitch.
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New Evidence Sparks Appeal Against $1.8bn Robodebt Settlement

10 October 2024
Lawyers, representing victims of the controversial robodebt scheme, are appealing the $1.8 billion settlement with the commonwealth, citing new evidence and allegations of misfeasance in public office by senior public servants.
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Human Genome Stored on ‘Everlasting’ Memory Crystal

26 September 2024
Unlike marking only on the surface of a 2D piece of paper or magnetic tape, this method of encoding uses two optical dimensions and three spatial co-ordinates to write throughout the material - hence the ‘5D’ in its name.
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Meta Admits to Using Public Facebook and Instagram Data for AI Training Since 2007

26 September 2024
Meta's global privacy director has confirmed that all public text and photos from adult users on Facebook and Instagram have been used to train the company's artificial intelligence models since 2007, raising serious privacy concerns.
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Brazil Supreme Court Lifts Freeze on Starlink and X Accounts after $3.3M Fine Paid; Access Remains Blocked

26 September 2024
Brazil's Supreme Court justice has unfrozen Starlink and X accounts following the transfer of a $3.3M fine but maintains block due to ongoing challenges with 'censorship' orders and non-compliance with local legal representation.
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Breathe Easy: Mobile Phones Found Not to Cause Brain Cancer, WHO Study Confirms

12 September 2024
In a comprehensive review led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), data from over 5,000 studies confirms that there is no significant link between mobile phone use and the development of brain or head cancers.
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BoM's Groundbreaking Tech Transformation Project 'Robust' Achieved Under Budget at $866M

12 September 2024
The Bureau of Meteorology's seven-year technology project 'Robust', which addresses security and resilience vulnerabilities, has concluded below the estimated billion-dollar cost, totalling $866 million.
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AI and Bots Fuel Unprecedented Music Streaming Fraud: Royalties Worth Millions Stolen

12 September 2024
A US-based musician faces significant charges after allegedly using AI-generated songs and automated bots to fraudulently stream tracks billions of times, illegally claiming over $10 million in royalty payments.
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Google Accused of Abusing Market Dominance in Digital Advertising

12 September 2024
UK's antitrust regulator provisionally finds Google using its dominance to restrict competition in the digital advertising space, potentially impacting thousands of British publishers and advertisers.
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South Australia to Ban Social Media for Under 14s, Sets High Bar for National Regulations

12 September 2024
The South Australian government is pushing forward with a groundbreaking proposal to ban children under 14 from social media, requiring parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds, setting a new precedent for the rest of the country. Social media companies face severe punishments for non-compliance, triggering debates on the validity and enforceability of such laws.
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Key Queensland Police Systems Hit by Delays After Recent Updates

05 September 2024
Unspecified updates caused delays in the Queensland Police's core operational database, affecting all applications and devices across the service, including a temporary impact on Triple Zero calls' processing times.
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ATO Leverages Cloud Technology for Business Value, Spearheads Cultural Change

05 September 2024
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has seen tenfold success with its transition to cloud services, driving significant technical, structural, and cultural changes within the agency, including new ways of managing cloud security and responsibility distribution, according to Rhiannon Ross, senior cloud program director.
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Brazilian Court Halts Social Media Giant X Amid Legal Battle with Elon Musk

05 September 2024
In an escalating feud with Elon Musk, a Brazilian Supreme Court justice has demanded the immediate shuttering of social media platform X in the country, following its failure to nominate a local legal representative and pay a multi-million dollar fine.
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Canva's Investment in Advanced AI Design Solutions Leads to a 300% Surge in Subscription Costs

05 September 2024
Sydney-based Canva disrupts the design software industry once more, hiking subscription prices of its Canva Teams platform by up to 300% to drive reinvestment in enhanced tools and AI-powered innovations.
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Hewlett Packard Pursues $4 Billion Damages From Late Billionaire's Estate

05 September 2024
Despite the demise of British billionaire and Autonomy co-founder Mike Lynch in a yacht accident, Hewlett Packard is persistent in their legal proceedings to claim up to $4 billion in damages from his estate over allegations of fraud to inflate the company's worth during its acquisition.
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Voice Theft: AI Clones Spark Legal Battle in Hollywood

05 September 2024
Voice-over artists are suing text-to-speech platform Lovo, after discovering their voices had been cloned and used without their consent or adequate compensation.
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California's Controversial Bill Poses Major Changes for AI Industry

30 August 2024
California's proposed bill, SB 1047, invoking comprehensive AI regulations is up for a final vote, amidst criticism from tech giants including OpenAI.
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Streamlining AI Regulations: A Call to Action from Tech Leaders

30 August 2024
Zuckerberg and Ek advocate for a simplified and harmonised regulatory framework to foster innovation in the open-source AI sector. Their comments follow Meta's paused plans for AI model launches in Europe, emphasising the urgent need for clarity in regulations to ensure that European developers can thrive and meet local needs without being overshadowed by competing markets.
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U.S. Antitrust Lawsuit over Rent Hike Collusion Allegations – The New Era of Algorithm-Driven Price Manipulation?

30 August 2024
The U.S. Justice Department's landmark antitrust lawsuit against RealPage highlights the potential misuse of technology in manipulating rental markets, raising significant concerns over price-fixing behaviours that affect millions of Americans.
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Mobile spyware application targeting Android smartphones

23 August 2024
Targeting Russian Android smartphones. Discovered in March 2024, the spyware has been secretly active for at least three years.
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Cisco's Billion-Dollar Bet: Bidding Humans Adieu in the AI Revolution

23 August 2024
Despite reporting $10.3 billion in profits, tech giant Cisco lays off 5,500 employees in a bold move towards AI investments.
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New Zealand Approves Extradition of Kim Dotcom to the United States

23 August 2024
Kim Dotcom, founder of Megaupload, faces extradition to the U.S. after a lengthy legal battle. Accused of significant copyright infringe
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ACCC vs. Meta: A Battle Against Cryptocurrency Ad Scams

23 August 2024
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission accuses Meta of failing to prevent widespread cryptocurrency ad scams, revealing that over half of the inspected ads breached policy guidelines or were outright fraudulent.
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Cybersecurity Crisis: Australia's Fight Against Rising Threats

15 August 2024
As cyber attacks escalate, Australian businesses are urged to enhance their cybersecurity measures, aiming to safeguard sensitive information and maintain operational integrity.
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PsiQuantum had a head start over local rivals

15 August 2024
It has been claimed that PsiQuantum had a head start over local rivals, and that expression of interest (EOI) documents were sent to industry players in August last year, well after PsiQuantum began meeting government representatives.
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The New A.I. Deal: Buy Everything but the Company

15 August 2024
The deal was one of several unusual transactions that have recently emerged in Silicon Valley.
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Intel Faces Turbulent Times with Major Layoffs Amidst Revenue Shortfall

08 August 2024
In a bold move to counter disappointing earnings and streamline operations, Intel announces plans to cut over 15,000 jobs while suspending dividends, marking a significant chapter in the company's ongoing struggle to reclaim its competitive edge in the semiconductor industry.
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Privacy Concerns Emerge as X's Data Practices Under Scrutiny in Australia

08 August 2024
Australia's privacy watchdog has flagged potential violations by X, formerly Twitter, over its automatic opt-in system for using user posts to train AI systems, raising alarms about user consent and data rights.
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Legal Battle Intensifies: TikTok Faces New Allegations of Child Data Mismanagement

08 August 2024
The U.S. government has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the platform unlawfully collected data from underage users without parental consent, compounding existing concerns about child privacy and national security.
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US Federal Judge Rules Google Acted Illegally to Maintain Search Monopoly

08 August 2024
A major blow to Google, a US District Judge ruled the tech giant acted illegally in securing monopoly in online searches, marking a significant victory for American regulators in the internet era.
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Meta Halts EU Launch of Advanced AI Model Amid Regulatory Concerns

02 August 2024
Meta has decided not to release its new multi sensory artificial intelligence Llama model in the European Union due to unpredictabilities in the region's regulatory environment.
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Elevate Your Delivery! Styrofoam Drones Are Revolutionising Package Drop-offs in Melbourne!

02 August 2024
Embrace the future of delivery as Alphabet subsidiary Wing expands its styrofoam drone delivery services in Melbourne, bringing a fast and sustainable solution for food and package deliveries to a quarter million residents.
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Australia Unveils Strategy to Curb Chinese Influence in Pacific

02 August 2024
Australians to be involved with Pacific island governments to regulate important undersea cables.
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Paris Olympics 2024, AI, and Mass Surveillance

02 August 2024
Raising global privacy concerns.
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Students under near constant surveillance at Exclusive Brethren-linked schools, insiders claim

18 July 2024
Allegations have surfaced that students, parents, and staff at the OneSchool Global (OSG) network, run by the Exclusive Brethren community, are subject to intense surveillance including outside school hours.
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Smartwatch Saves Swimmer from Rough Seas at Byron Bay

18 July 2024
Conditions worsened, and Shearman, a kilometre from the coastline, found himself in desperate need of help.
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Antitrust scrutiny has Microsoft ditching its OpenAI board observer seat

18 July 2024
In a surprising move to counteract increasing antitrust scrutiny from EU and US regulators, Microsoft has given up its observer seat on OpenAI's board. This comes amid increased vigilance by the regulators on the tech industry's investments in AI startups.
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Meta bands posts that target “Zionists”

18 July 2024
Update from Microsoft Policy Forum on their approach to "Zionist" as a proxy for hate speech.
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ASX cuts back on overpaid tech contractors

18 July 2024
This follows a series of complaints from insiders about the company's current staffing approach for ongoing tech projects, with some staff costing above-industry standard rates.
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Hollywood Legends’ Voices to Narrate Texts: ElevenLabs and CMG Worldwide Partnership

12 July 2024
ElevenLabs new artificial intelligence (AI) app is attempting to bring deceased Hollywood legends like Judy Garland, James Dean, and Burt Reynolds to life.
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Australian Government Partners with AWS on $2bn Classified Cloud Infrastructure Deal

12 July 2024
The TS Cloud is specially designed for Australian defence and national intelligence community agencies. They will use it to store, share and run detailed analysis of the country's classified data. This facility would increase Defence's communication networks' resilience and improve collaboration with the US.
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From Floppy to Flashy: Japan finally unhooks its floppy disk obsession

12 July 2024
This discontinuation comes 13 years after the last floppy disks were produced in the country.
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Meta threatens Australian again with a news ban

04 July 2024
The media bargaining war continues between Meta, the government and local media companies.
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WA man allegedly sets up fake free wi-fi networks at Australian airports

04 July 2024
Investigations began in April after airline staff reported a dubious wifi network.
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Did a robot just commit suicide?

04 July 2024
South Korean administrative officer robot throws itself down some stairs.
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Car Sales by Dealers in U.S. and Canada Disrupted in Cyberattacks

27 June 2024
Dealers said that in some cases they were reverting to writing contracts by hand, or asking customers to wait a few days to take delivery of their vehicles.
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Apple to delay launch of AI-powered features in Europe, blames EU tech rules

27 June 2024
Apple underscored its AI push earlier this month with new features and software enhancements for its iPhone and other devices to bolster sagging sales.
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Stolen test data and NHS numbers published by hospital hackers

27 June 2024
Cyber criminals have been trying to extort money from NHS provider Synnovis since they hacked the firm on 3 June.
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NDIA officials inappropriately cultivated by the Salesforce

27 June 2024
Evidence to a parliamentary committee shows NDIA officials did not declare thousands of dollars worth of gifts paid for by Salesforce, despite being required to detail receipts over $100.
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ACMA alleges Optus failed to protect its customer data

27 June 2024
Optus had at least three opportunities to identify and rectify this vulnerability before it got exploited.
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Three of Vietnam's five undersea internet cables are down

20 June 2024
Vietnam is connected to the global internet mainly via five undersea cables with a combined capacity of nearly 62 Tbps.
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US sues Adobe for hiding SaaS fees

20 June 2024
Adobe accused of deceiving consumers by hiding the early termination fee SaaS (Software as a Service) for its most popular subscription plan and making it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions.
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Apple and Meta Platforms face EU penalties

20 June 2024
"We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs. Human dignity itself depends on it."
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Pope Francis warns G7 members of AI risks

20 June 2024
"We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs. Human dignity itself depends on it."
Read More

Apple Strikes AI deal with OpenAI

20 June 2024
Some of these AI features will be available in the American autumn as part of the next major software update to the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
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University of Canberra transitions to Windows 11

13 June 2024
The university has completed a pilot of 50 staff members and is now bringing the software update to 2500 members of staff.
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ChatGPT comes to iPhone

13 June 2024
Apple still remains overly reliant on sales of the iPhone and some analysts said any boost from the new AI features was unlikely to materialize in the short term.
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Australian tenancy database giant guilty of bad data management by the Information Watchdog

13 June 2024
The Real Estate Institute of Australia stressed the importance of tenant privacy. The complainant alleged that TICA disclosed their personal details to the first estate agent and retained their information longer than required.
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Australia's eSafety Commissioner drops case against X over stabbing videos

13 June 2024
In a statement on X, the firm's Global Government Affairs team said they were "heartened to see that freedom of speech has prevailed".
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Did Meta fire an employee over Gaza content?

13 June 2024
Allegedly, Meta fired an engineer for trying to help fix bugs causing the suppression of Palestinian Instagram posts.
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eSafety vs X case just got messier

06 June 2024
A rare legal manoeuvre adds Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) wins them the right to participate in Federal Court proceedings.
Read More

Ticketek customers’ details ‘stolen’ in cyber incident

06 June 2024
The information hitherto indicates that this is a breach potentially affecting many Australians.
Read More

UK data watchdog wants reassurances from Microsoft

30 May 2024
Microsoft's forthcoming Copilot+ PCs can screenshot your laptop every few seconds and store encrypted snapshots locally.
Read More

Google finances cable system to directly link Perth to Africa

30 May 2024
Spanning from Kenya, zigzagging through several African nations, and concluding in the Google Cloud region in South Africa.
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Cybercriminal expose biometric data linked to police in India

30 May 2024
The incident demonstrates the heightened risk of biometric data leaked online and potential misuse.
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Are Zuckerberg and Musk the largest dictators?

30 May 2024
According to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner - Philippines Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, “is a far smaller dictator compared to Mark Zuckerberg, and now let me throw in Elon Musk”.
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Telstra to cut 2800 jobs

21 May 2024
Telecommunications giant slashes jobs and implements measures to charge customers more.
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Digital ID gets $288m

21 May 2024
National Digital ID system set for expansion.
Read More

MediSecure data breach

21 May 2024
Scale of ransomware attack on electronic prescriptions provider remains unclear.
Read More

Microsoft's Emissions Spike 29%

21 May 2024
Microsoft releases its 2024 Sustainability Report.
Read More

Reddit partners with OpenAI

21 May 2024
Social media content feeds into AI-powered features.
Read More

Misconfiguration caused Google Cloud deletion of UniSuper’s online account

16 May 2024
UniSuper fund members went a week with no access to their superannuation accounts.
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Musk's X Corp loses lawsuit against Israeli data-scraping company

16 May 2024
U.S. District Judge said using scraping tools is not inherently fraudulent, and giving social media companies free rein to decide how public data are used "risks the possible creation of information monopolies that would disserve the public interest."
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Apple apologises after piano crushing ad backlash

16 May 2024
The video was meant to demonstrate how creativity has been compressed into the latest iPad.
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Musk scores win in battle over church stabbing footage

16 May 2024
X had already taken all reasonable steps it could to block the clip from Australian viewers short of removing the footage from everyone globally.
Read More

Stack Overflow and OpenAI partner

16 May 2024
More information from Stack Overflow will appear in ChatGPT, and Stack Overflow will use OpenAI models for its products.
Read More

Zircodata cyber hack

09 May 2024
Hackers access 4,000 sensitive documents from Monash Medical Centre and the electronic profiles of 60,000 Melbourne Polytechnic students.
Read More

New UNESCO report warns social media affects girls’ well-being, learning and career choices

09 May 2024
The report sheds light on how social media amplifies gender stereotypes, with negative effects on girls’ well-being, learning and career choices.
Read More

TikTok's not for sale

03 May 2024
ByteDance has 9 months to divest Tik Tok in America or it will be blocked.
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New rules for Australian telcos

03 May 2024
Industry will also now be required to “provide work plans to the regulator following a major outage, to explain how an impacted telco will mitigate the risk of a similar outage in future”.
Read More

Alphabet surpasses $3 trillion

03 May 2024
The recent announcement by Alphabet about offering dividends and a stock buyback highlights the growing significance of artificial intelligence (AI) for big tech companies.
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AFP traps alleged RAT developer

25 April 2024
An Australian man and a man based in the US will appear in court, following an international investigation into the creation and sale of a global Remote Access Trojan (RAT).
Read More

Google fires employees involved in Israel protest

25 April 2024
Google has just fired 28 employees for protesting against Project Nimbus, a £1.2bn joint contract with Amazon to provide AI cloud services to the Israeli government.
Read More

AI potential to boost Australian economy by $200 billion yearly

25 April 2024
An Australian man and a man based in the US will appear in court, following an international investigation into the creation and sale of a global Remote Access Trojan (RAT).
Read More

X u-turns to comply with Brazil court

19 April 2024
According to a letter witnessed by Reuters, lawyers representing X assured the court that they would comply with all its rulings, as well as those issued by Brazil's top electoral court.
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Taxi Apps sues Uber for launching an unlawful war to crush Australian competition

19 April 2024
Allegedly, Uber arrived on Australia’s shores with a notorious plan to squash the competition, say lawyers. They accused Uber of launching its flagship service, UberX, illegal at the time in Australia, specifically to cripple GoCatch's growth.
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Apple plans financial gains with with AI-centric in-house processors

19 April 2024
As tech giants like Microsoft and Google push forward in AI, Apple is aiming to enhance its products with AI features.
Read More

Microsoft’s free pass from government accountability

19 April 2024
Microsoft divulge in January that foreign government hackers had once again breached its systems.
Read More

Study reveals AI tools hold biases against women and girls

19 April 2024
The study sheds light on the ethical responsibilities of tech companies and governments in developing and using AI without perpetuating stereotypes or violating human rights.
Read More

Hoya halts production after cyber attack

12 April 2024
Japanese lens maker Hoya said the production of several of its products have stopped after system failure caused by a targeting of the company's servers.
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Google tech used in Israel’s genocide

12 April 2024
Amid criticisms and human rights concerns, Google is remaining silent over allegations that its technology was exploited in alleged mass murder campaigns.
Read More

Diabetes WA telehealth service breached

12 April 2024
Diabetes WA has disclosed a data breach affecting people who engaged with its telehealth service.
Read More

US government sues Apple over smartphone market monopoly

04 April 2024
The Department of Justice and 15 state governments accuse Apple of monopolising the smartphone market, leading to higher prices and limited innovation for consumers.
Read More

Australia missing out in AI funding boom

04 April 2024
Market experts warn of a potential bubble in AI-related stocks, with data showing a decline in private market investments.
Read More

Recent Phishing Attacks Target 100+ Organizations in Europe and U.S. with StrelaStealer Malware

28 March 2024
StrelaStealer malware is designed to steal email login data from popular email clients and send it to the attacker's server. This enables threat actors to access victims' email accounts for further malicious activities.
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Federal government reassures Australians that electoral systems are secure

28 March 2024
UK cyber security agency confirms Chinese threat groups targeted electoral systems. Australia reassures public that its electoral systems remain secure
Read More

NSW Government Invests in Mobile Systems for Emergency Wi-Fi Connectivity

21 March 2024
The NSW government is investing in mobile systems to provide wi-fi connectivity to communities impacted by natural disasters. Customer service minister Jihad Dib made the commitment in June 2023.
Read More

Study finds workplace AI, robots, and trackers negatively impact quality of life

21 March 2024
Analysing data from over 6,000 individuals, researchers found that increased use of AI-based software, surveillance devices, and robotics correlates with decreased health and well-being.
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Australian news media pursue payment from Meta for using their content to train AI

21 March 2024
Tech companies like Meta have been training their AI models with vast amounts of online data, including news sources. When questioned about this, a Meta spokesperson declined to comment, citing fair use allowances under US copyright law.
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Users outraged over US sale plan of Tiktok

21 March 2024
Critics argue the bill infringes on free speech and harms millions reliant on TikTok for business and communication.
Read More

US Military Rushes Implementation of AI for Autonomous Weapons

21 March 2024
In Gaza, the Israeli military is utilising robots and remote-controlled dogs in the conflict, with drones and an AI system named The Gospel accelerating target identification and use of force.
Read More

Meta pulls out of Australian news deal

07 March 2024
Albanese government and local media companies prepare for battle with Meta, who plans to cut $70 million yearly payouts to news publishers. Meta's refusal to negotiate new deals hits media giants hard, sparking government action.
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Superloop rejects Aussie Broadband opportunistic offer

07 March 2024
“The board of Superloop has, together with its retained financial and legal advisers, considered the offer and believes that the indicative proposal is opportunistic and fundamentally undervalues Superloop… The board does not intend to engage with ABB [Aussie Broadband] on the indicative proposal.”
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U.K. Home Office breached data protection rules using electronic monitoring devices on migrants

07 March 2024
In summer 2022 the Home Office began a pilot exercise in which about 600 asylum claimants arriving in the UK were fitted with electronic ankle tags enabling their movements to be monitored via GPS.
Read More

Elon Musk Sues OpenAI and CEO Over Mission Deviation

07 March 2024
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, claims a breach of contract and demands OpenAI's research and technology be made public, preventing financial gains from Microsoft. Musk alleges a shift from the initial non-profit focus to profit-making, betraying the essence of the startup co-founded by him.
Read More

Three men charged in NSW over SMS phishing scam operation

29 February 2024
NSW Police have arrested three men in connection with an SMS phishing scam operation.
Read More

X admits to taking down posts and accounts involving India farmers' protest

29 February 2024
X clarified that the removal was limited to India in compliance with the orders but emphasised its support for freedom of expression. The platform revealed it has legally challenged the government's actions.
Read More

Apple warns Australian tech proposal risks privacy, surveillance

29 February 2024
Regulator aims to detect and remove harmful material but faces criticism for potential impact on encryption. Apple emphasises global consequences of mandatory scanning measures.
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Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness appointed as Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator by the Department of Home Affairs

29 February 2024
In her last role, McGuinness was the deputy director for Commonwealth integration (DDCI) at the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), where she was responsible for advising the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s director on strengthening collaboration and information-sharing between the Five Eyes nations.
Read More

Do user counts equate to unique individuals?

29 February 2024
Digital technologies can foster or hinder social connection based on common issues and tensions.
Read More

Air Canada BOT Defense-Blame not Fooling the Tribunal

22 February 2024
The airline tried to distance itself from the error by claiming the chatbot was responsible for its actions.
Read More

Activision Blizzard Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Monopolisation of Call of Duty Competitions

22 February 2024
Activision, known for its popular first-person-shooter game Call of Duty, has been accused of imposing "draconian" contract provisions on teams and players, leading to the exclusion of those who did not comply with their demands.
Read More

Maltese Authorities Arrest Man in Global Cybercrime Crackdown Targeting Australians

22 February 2024
AFP along with international agencies like the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and Europol, collaborated to make the arrest.
Read More

Unpaid bill shuts down parliament expense system in January

22 February 2024
An invoice for 2FA service was missed by the Department of Finance.
Read More

Nvidia CEO Huang Relying on Others to Develop AI Infrastructure is not an Option

15 February 2024
Huang urged countries to activate their industries and prioritise the speedy development of AI infrastructure.
Read More

NT Residents Warned of Crypto Investment Scams as Victim Loses $5m

15 February 2024
AFP have flagged the rise of large-scale human trafficking facilitated by fake job ads and online scam centers. These trafficked individuals are then exploited to carry out online fraud, including investment scams.
Read More

Investigation Finds Public Servants Violated Code of Conduct in Robodebt Scheme

15 February 2024
Multiple individuals recommended for civil and criminal prosecution.
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Former CIA officer sentenced to 40 years for leaking classified hacking tools to Wikileaks

08 February 2024
Prosecutors argued that in 2016, stolen information was shared with Wikileaks.
Read More

Europe Moves Closer to Landmark AI Rules as EU Countries Approve Proposal

08 February 2024
Proposed by the European Commission three years ago, these rules aim to establish a global standard for AI technology across a wide range of industries, from banking and retail to transportation and security. They also outline parameters for AI use in military and crime-related applications.
Read More

Autistic 13-year-old boy encouraged by counter-terrorism police in his fixation on Islamic State

08 February 2024
An NDIS recipient with an IQ of 71, was reported to police by his parents because of his fixation with Islamic State.
Read More

AI Deepfakes of Taylor Swift go Viral

08 February 2024
Popstar Taylor Swift, has fallen victim to explicit AI-generated images circulating on social media platforms.
Read More

Google Unveils Groundbreaking AI Upgrade for Android, Raises Privacy Concerns

01 February 2024
The competition between Google, Apple, and Facebook just got more intense. Android users, brace yourselves for an incredible AI upgrade from Google that could revolutionise your smartphone experience.
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U.S. FTC Orders Major Tech Companies to Provide Information on AI Investments

01 February 2024
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasised the importance of safeguarding competition: "Our study will investigate whether dominant companies' investments and partnerships risk obstructing innovation and fair competition, even as AI presents new opportunities."
Read More

Federal Government Sanctions Russian Citizen for Medibank Cyber Attack

01 February 2024
These sanctions are the first of their kind to be used against a cyber threat actor since their enactment in December 2021.
Read More

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