The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the Omicron coronavirus variant presents a “very high” risk to global health due to potentially increased rates of transmission. The Omicron variant presents a high likelihood of wider transmission, says WHO in a technical brief published this past weekend. Much is unknown about the variant, although a significant…
An investigation into NSW’s debt collection agency found that it had abused its automated system to collect outstanding debts from vulnerable people. The state Ombudsman found that Revenue NSW’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning was unlawful. NSW Ombudsman Paul Miller calls for “greater transparency” and accountability for agencies relying on AI and…
The Australian Government will make changes to regulations to allow telecommunications companies to block scam text messages. The changes come after a surge in scam messages received across the nation in 2021. Scam text messages have run rampant across Australia this year. An increase in fraudulent text messages from senders claiming to represent government agencies…
The Indian Government has told Elon Musk and SpaceX to stop offering their Starlink internet service in India until they have a license. The government body also advised the public not to subscribe to the service. Starlink Internet Services, a satellite internet constellation launched in 2018, is one of the many technological exploits taken on…
The Morrison Government will introduce “anti-trolling” legislation that would appoint new obligations to social media platforms in the event of online harassment or defamation. Under the legislation, social media companies would be compelled to reveal the personal information of users being sued for defamation. On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash came…
The Indian Government has submitted a bill calling for the ban of most private cryptocurrencies to be introduced in their Parliament’s winter session. The proposed bill comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comprehensive review of cryptocurrencies earlier this month. Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 has been added to the list of…
It’s good news for worried parents as emergency services report a positive trend across Schoolies 2021. According to ABC News, authorities report a 50 per cent decrease in medical incidents among celebrating school-leavers. As the first week of Schoolies wraps up, police say the festivities have been “generally pleasing” compared to previous years. After 2020…
Australia will send over 100 personnel from the Federal Police and Defence Force to Solomon Islands amidst civil and political unrest in the nation’s capital, Honiara. The deployment comes after over 1,000 residents united to protest outside of Honiara’s Parliament throughout the week. Growing unrest in Solomon Islands has developed further today, with Australia now…
The most recent Global State of Democracy report released by a European thinktank suggests democracy is “on the back foot” and the US is “backsliding”. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) has released their annual Global State of Democracy Report. Democratic trends are recorded from 1975 onwards according to 29 criteria, with…
South Africa has recorded the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant that may be more transmissible than previous iterations. The UK has closed borders to the nation while Australian authorities are waiting for more information. Only months after the emergence of the threatening Delta variant, a new variant may be on the horizon. The strain,…