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 …

Queensland Courts releases guidelines on the responsible use of artificial intelligence tools for non-lawyers

Queensland Courts has released a set of guidelines aimed at non-lawyers to ensure the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal processes. These guidelines are targeted at those who are representing themselves (or others) in any civil or criminal proceedings in Queensland courts and tribunals. AI technologies offer significant potential to streamline …

Amendments to Online Safety legislation impose further obligations on online service providers

A new set of amendments was registered for the Online Safety (Basic Online Safety Expectations) Determination 2022 (Cth). These amendments have created several additional expectations for online service providers. Online technologies have been routinely faced with emerging threats. This has namely been posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and recommender systems (social media algorithms), with particular …