Australia has unveiled a comprehensive Voluntary AI Safety Standard as part of its broader Safe and Responsible AI agenda. This initiative aims to provide practical guidance for organisations developing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) systems while balancing innovation with safety concerns. The standard introduces 10 voluntary guardrails applicable across the AI supply chain, focusing primarily …
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Treasury unveils new Scams Prevention Framework
In response to the escalating scam crisis that cost Australians $2.7 billion in 2023, the government has unveiled a comprehensive Scams Prevention Framework. This economy-wide reform aims to protect the Australian community from increasingly sophisticated scams that exploit the digital economy. The framework, primarily amending the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, introduces strong obligations across …
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TikTok faces uphill battle in US court
TikTok, the popular short-video app used by 170 million Americans, is fighting for its survival in the United States (US). The company, along with its Chinese parent ByteDance, has taken legal action to block a US law that could ban the app as soon as 19 January 2025. In a federal appeals court hearing, TikTok’s …
Australia introduces the first wave of Privacy Act reforms
The Australian Government has taken its first step towards modernising the nation’s privacy laws with the introduction of the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. This initial tranche of reforms addresses 23 of the 116 proposals outlined in the Privacy Act Review Report, leaving many significant changes for future legislation. Key reforms include: Automated …
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Australia to set new minimum age restrictions for social media access
The Albanese Labor Government has announced plans to introduce legislation before the next federal election to enforce age restrictions on social media access for young Australians. This move comes amid growing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on youth mental health and well-being. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described social media’s impact on young …
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Right to disconnect laws take effect in Australia
Effective 26 August 2024, employees are permitted to refuse non-small business employers (and 26 August 2025 for small businesses) or third-party contact outside of working hours under certain conditions. This new regulation aims to protect employees’ personal time and well-being. The right to disconnect applies to various forms of communication, including calls, emails, texts, and …
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Australian Privacy Regulator ends pursuit of Clearview AI
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has announced it will cease its pursuit of Clearview AI, a controversial facial recognition company, despite lingering questions about the company’s compliance with previous rulings. In 2021, the OAIC found Clearview AI in breach of Australians’ privacy by collecting facial images without consent. Clearview AI claims to …
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Law Council of Australia releases Digital ID Framework
Australia is on the cusp of a digital revolution with the proposed Digital ID scheme, aimed at streamlining identity verification across various services. However, as the Law Council of Australia emphasises in its recent submission, this innovation must be carefully balanced with robust privacy protections and cybersecurity measures. The Draft Digital ID Rules, Accreditation Rules, …
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Australia and US reaffirm alliance to strengthen cybersecurity measures, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region
The recent Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2024 highlighted an increased focus on cybersecurity and information technology cooperation between the two allies. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the United States and Australia have committed to strengthening their joint efforts to combat malicious cyber activities. A key development is Australia’s endorsement of the United States’ Framework …
Commonwealth Bank pioneers new anti-scam intelligence sharing initiative
To address the recent increase in financial scams, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has become the first bank to integrate a new anti-scam intelligence loop. This innovative system, co-designed by the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX) and National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), marks a significant step towards a more collaborative approach to fighting fraud across …
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