Online Safety Stories

Australian Stories

Online Safety stories

Ion files patent to block harmful AI video at source

Unsafe AI-generated clips could be stopped before playback under Ion's Australian patent filing, aimed at blocking deepfakes and other harmful video at source.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Today

Digital Transformation

Microsoft & Australia sign digital resilience deal

Australia will get wider support to defend critical digital systems as Canberra and Microsoft deepen cooperation on cyber security and AI.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month

Global Stories

Online Safety stories

Multi-factor authentication

Google sues Chinese phishing network over fake texts

The scam network's fake texts may have reached millions of Android users, with authorities linking it to major card theft and losses.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Today

Data Protection

UK & US consumers question message legitimacy, survey finds

Older adults are far more likely to doubt digital messages, as a survey finds 41% of UK and US consumers question if they are genuine.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week

Data Protection

The parent's guide to AI: Risks, benefits and safety

Parents are being urged to talk to children about AI use, as chatbots can aid homework but also expose them to misinformation and privacy risks.

By David Shilovsky • 4 min read • Last week

Malware

Illegal streaming users in Asia-Pacific face cybercrime

Nearly half of illicit streaming apps tested in Asia-Pacific contained malware, heightening risks of fraud, identity theft and device compromise.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

Malware

Fans warned over World Cup cyber scams & fake tickets

Fans buying tickets or streams for the FIFA World Cup face fake sites, rogue apps and QR-code traps that can steal payment details.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last week

Data Protection

ICO fines rise 370% as watchdog targets big breaches

Larger data breach sanctions are becoming the norm as the ICO issues fewer penalties, but targets cases involving children's privacy and cyberattacks.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month

Data Protection

AI & automated decisions top GDPR concern, survey finds

Many organisations risk falling behind as AI overtakes traditional issues as the biggest GDPR headache and reviews lag by more than a year.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month

Phishing

Bitdefender report says scams now span every channel

Younger adults are now more likely to lose money to fraud as scams spread across texts, calls, social ads and messaging apps.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month

Data Protection

ExpressVPN lands official support deal for 2026 World Cup

Fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup face heightened cyber risks on public Wi-Fi, as ExpressVPN gains exclusive supporter rights across three regions.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • This month

Malware

Cyber criminals target World Cup staff & suppliers

Attackers are using fake World Cup sites and messaging apps to steal credentials, with some scams now aimed at event suppliers and staff.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month

Stories from Other Regions

Online Safety stories

Payment Technologies

Gen Z tempted by unofficial World Cup ticket scams

Younger adults are more exposed to fake ticket offers, with 19% of Gen Z saying they would buy World Cup seats from unofficial websites.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday

Data Protection

UK VPN searches jump after under-16 social media plan

Search interest surged as ministers' under-16 social media plan prompted privacy fears, with UK VPN queries hitting their highest since early August.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week

Data Protection

Irish adults back ban on public sector ransom payments

Most Irish adults want ministers to stop public bodies paying cyber ransoms, though concern rises sharply if citizens' data could be exposed.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

Tech Users NZ calls for long-term digital strategy

A cross-party plan is being urged to give businesses and public services certainty over digital investment, skills and online safety beyond election cycles.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

Data Protection

Canada unveils Bill C-36 to tighten private sector data rules

The bill would give Canadians stronger control over personal data, as Ottawa seeks tougher oversight of AI, children's privacy and surveillance pricing.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week