Tech

Tech giants forced to hand over anti-abuse processes

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2022

Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner is demanding tech giants hand over their anti-abuse processes, in a bid to tackle dangerous material

Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner has demanded major digital tech platforms Meta, Apple, and Microsoft share their processes, to eradicate the sharing of child abuse material on their platforms.

The warning comes amid growing concerns of abusive and potentially dangerous material online. If the tech giants fail to hand over the details, they will face hefty fines for non-compliance.

Meta, Apple and Microsoft have been reminded that they each face a fine of $555,000AUD per day for not complying with this directive.

The initial laws took effect in January requiring the technology giants to provide specific details to the Australian government on their practices.

The new law gave the corporations 28 days to comply, but these requirements were largely ignored by Meta, Apple and Microsoft.

Now, the tech giants have withheld the information from the e-Safety Commissioner for nearly seven months.

Yet, it remains to be seen how the Australian government will follow through to force tech giants to provide their anti-child abuse processes from their platforms.

This matter raises a number of ongoing issues relating to control and compliance by mainstream digital and social media platforms.

The Australian government has introduced laws surrounding cyber bullying, violent material and the use of news on social media platforms, yet the laws have not been effective in creating significant change in the content and practices appearing online.

With billions of people using social media every day, the silence from tech giants such as Meta, Facebook and Microsoft may be because they do not have an effective process.

These organisations do not have human or technological resources to moderate the sheer volume of user content being posted.

At least 4.75 billion posts are uploaded by users every day, with many taking it upon themselves to report harmful content in their feeds.

The next few months will be crucial for the Australian Government’s e-Safety Commissioner in how this law will be enforced with the main aim of stamping out child abuse material online.

Report by Dr Karen Sutherland, University of the Sunshine Coast and Dharana Digital

Related Topics:APPLE meta Microsoft Tech

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Dr Karen Sutherland

Dr Karen Sutherland is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she designs and delivers social media education and research. Dr Sutherland is also the Co-Founder and Social Media Specialist at Dharana Digital marketing agency focused on helping people working in the health and wellness space.

Tech

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Atlas: The Future of Browsing?

Published

19 hours ago

October 22, 2025

ticker NEWS

OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.

With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?

Tech

OpenAI limits deepfakes after Bryan Cranston’s concerns

OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorized AI-generated content

Published

2 days ago

October 21, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorised AI-generated content

In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.

OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.

The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.

Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.

Policy Changes

Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.

The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.

OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.

OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.

Tech

Major apps down as AWS experiences global outage

AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2025

Ahron Young

AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.

Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.

The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.

Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.

Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.

Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.

British Companies

In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.

Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.