Big Tech stories

Australia’s Productivity Commission backs licensing over new copyright exceptions, urging AI firms to pay creators and face tighter scrutiny.

OpenAI backs a new California ballot measure with child-safety group Common Sense Media to impose strict rules on youth use of AI chatbots.

Rapid AI rollout, geopolitical rifts and fragile supply chains are upending cyber risk, straining outdated security and compliance regimes.

Over half of UK adults want under-16s barred from social media, as new polling exposes deep divides over children’s online access and safety.

Agentic AI and digital disobedience will strain policy, security and governance in 2026 as autonomous firms and users test new limits.

Craigslist founder Craig Newmark is funding Global Signal Exchange to expand its shared threat data network against rising online fraud.

Meta has bought Singapore AI start-up Manus, aiming to embed its autonomous general-purpose agent across consumer and business products.

Agentic AI is reshaping cyber attacks, business experiments and digital protest, outpacing regulators and exposing fragile human safeguards.

The Oscars will leave traditional TV for a free global YouTube livestream from 2029, ending decades of broadcast dominance on ABC.

India scraps mandatory Sanchar Saathi app on new phones, easing privacy fears over deep-access government software on Apple and Samsung devices.

Oxylabs experts warn AI hype could swell into a bubble by 2026 as new ‘agent’ browsers challenge Chrome and Europe tightens data rules.

Australia’s under-16 social media ban faces mounting criticism amid doubts over age checks, privacy risks and the impact on advertisers.

CMC says AI, energy, robotics, defence and store-of-value trades will be the “Furious Five” megatrends steering markets into 2026.

Netflix’s USD $72 billion bid for Warner Bros raises a stark question: is Hollywood’s future in the hands of Silicon Valley’s algorithms?.

UK banks face rising AI-driven fraud in 2026 as criminals exploit gaps in regulation, prompting calls for urgent cross-sector action to protect consumers.

Electronic Frontiers Australia criticises the National AI Plan for favouring business interests over public safety, digital rights and calls for stronger EU-style law.

The EU has delayed key provisions of its AI Act, raising concerns over regulatory clarity, compliance burdens, and Europe's competitive edge in AI technology.

India has overtaken the US in new open source contributors, poised to lead globally by 2030, highlighting open source as key to digital sovereignty and AI innovation.

An Instagram safety campaign has been blocked by advertisers over fears it might upset Meta, highlighting Big Tech's influence in advertising decisions.

CommonAI launches a UK and Europe-wide platform to provide affordable AI computing resources and support for start-ups, backed by investment initiatives.