Artificial Intelligence Act published in European Union Official Journal

In a landmark move, the European Union (EU) has introduced the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. This new legislation aims to position the EU as a global leader in human-centric, trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) development and deployment. The AI Act takes a risk-based approach, categorising AI systems into four levels: unacceptable, high, limited, and low risk. …

Australian unveils National Framework for AI Assurance in Government

The Australian government, in collaboration with state and territory governments, has released a novel National Framework for the Assurance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government. This landmark document aims to establish a consistent approach for the safe and responsible use of AI across all levels of government in Australia. The framework is built upon Australia’s …

EU Commission investigates against Apple for potential Digital Markets Act violations

The European Commission has intensified its scrutiny of Apple’s App Store practices, citing potential violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a significant move, the Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that the company’s App Store rules breach the DMA by preventing app developers from freely steering consumers to alternative channels for …

Judge suggests cryptocurrency should be considered property under Australian common law

In a recent speech, Justice Jackman of the Federal Court of Australia provided a compelling argument for recognising cryptocurrency as property under Australian common law. This perspective challenges traditional notions of property and adapts legal principles to the digital age. The core of Justice Jackman’s argument rests on the versatile nature of property in Australian …

Australian Signals Directorate provides quarterly update for Information Security Manual

The Australian Signals Directorate has provided its quarterly update for the Information Security Manual (ISM). This latest revision reflects the ever-evolving landscape of modern digital threats and the need for robust security measures. Compliance with the ISM is encouraged albeit voluntary. The ASD identified several notable new controls that have been added in this edition, …

Bill introduced to criminalise the sharing of deepfake pornography

The Australian government has announced plans to introduce new criminal laws aimed at combating the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake content. This move comes in response to growing concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to produce non-consensual intimate images and videos. The Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024 …

IP Australia releases 2024 Intellectual Property Report

IP Australia has released its 2024 Intellectual Property Report. This annual publication provides valuable insights into the state of intellectual property (IP) in Australia and highlights key trends and developments in the field. Artificial intelligence (AI) was a focal point of the report, primarily in the realm of the administration of IP rights. IP Australia …

Australian Privacy Watchdog takes legal action against Medibank

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has initiated civil penalty proceedings against Medibank, one of Australia’s largest health insurers, in the Federal Court. This action comes in response to a significant data breach that occurred in October 2022, affecting millions of Medibank customers. The OAIC alleges that Medibank failed to take reasonable steps …

ASX approves first spot Bitcoin ETF in Australia

In a ground-breaking development for cryptocurrency investors, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has approved its first-ever spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). This milestone comes at an interesting time as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has begun its crackdown on digital asset providers. The launch of this ETF marks a significant shift in the …

Productivity Commission releases report on the adoption of AI in business

The Productivity Commission published a critical report that has raised concerns about the lack of guidance provided by regulators on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. This gap is creating uncertainty and stifling innovation among Australian companies eager to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and competitive advantage. The Commission’s report underscores the pivotal …