digital platforms Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 December , 2024

Consultation Opens for New Digital Competition Reform in Australia

The ACCC has welcomed today’s start of consultation by the Australian Government on the implementation of a new digital competition regime in Australia. The consultation comes after the Government’s in-principle agreement to competition reforms recommended by the ACCC to address harms caused by digital platforms. “This is an important opportunity for consumers, businesses and other interested parties…

22 October , 2024

Consultation Opens on ‘Phase Two’ of Online Safety Codes

Following the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth.), industry associations have been tasked with developing codes of practice to protect Australians from a number of materials online. The draft codes for phase two, covering Classes 1C and 2 materials, have now been released and are available for public comment here. Consultation will be open from October…

17 October , 2024

Children’s safety in the metaverse – Draft standard open for Public Comment

The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, where you can socialise, collaborate, learn, and play with others across different digital worlds. The metaverse may offer new opportunities for creativity, education, entertainment, and commerce, but there are also new challenges where metaverse technologies can have a significant impact on young users’ mental health and well-being. Children…

25 September , 2024

Regulators Release Working Paper on an AI Generative Model

The Digital Platform Regulators Forum (DP-REG) has published a working paper on multimodal foundation models (MFMs) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI). The latest working paper “Examination of technology – Multimodal Foundation Models” examines MFMs – a type of generative AI that can process and output multiple data types, such as image, audio or video…

17 September , 2024

Advocates Welcome New Scam Framework, Urge Consumer Safeguards be at the Front and Centre

Consumer Action Law Centre, CHOICE, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and Super Consumers Australia, have welcomed the announcement from the Albanese Government of a consultation on a draft bill starting today, for the proposed Scams Prevention Framework. “I congratulate Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and the Albanese Government for pushing ahead with these scam…

12 September , 2024

Voluntary AI Safety Standard Available

A Voluntary AI Safety Standard has been made available by the Australian Government – it gives practical guidance to all Australian organisations on how to safely and responsibly use and innovate with artificial intelligence (AI). The standard consists of 10 voluntary guardrails that apply to all organisations throughout the AI supply chain and explain what…

8 August , 2024

Over 70% of Consumers Experience Poor Customer Service

CHOICE survey of 6000 consumers reveals many businesses are giving consumers the run-around A new survey of 6000 CHOICE supporters has found that almost 3 in 4 (73%) have experienced poor customer service from a business they dealt with in the preceding year, and 85% believed that customer service provided by businesses is getting worse. …

3 July , 2024

Telstra and Optus Cooperate with ACCC Google Search Services Investigation

The ACCC has accepted undertakings from Telstra and Optus as part of the ACCC’s ongoing competition investigation into Google’s search services in Australia. During the investigation into Google’s conduct, the ACCC became aware of agreements that Google had initiated and entered into with Telstra and Optus, which meant Google’s search services were pre-installed as the…

29 May , 2024

Passing the Buck: Scam Victims Carrying Unfair Burden

A survey of 280 scam victims by consumer group CHOICE has found they are left carrying the burden of scams after big businesses like telcos, tech platforms and banks fail to step up and protect them. 61% of respondents said they had lost confidence in doing financial transactions online. The survey results, detailed in CHOICE’s…

21 May , 2024

Latest ACCC report finds consumers lack visibility and choice over data collection practices

Consumers generate data in almost all aspects of their lives as many activities that were once anonymous are now subject to detailed data collection, such as restaurants that require customers to order via a QR code and input personal details. The latest Digital Platform Services Inquiry report published today, highlights that consumers are generally unaware how much…

15 May , 2024

Free and accessible Artificial Intelligence course

The free ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ course provided by CSIRO National AI Centre (NAIC) will cover what AI is, common terminologies, real-world applications of AI, Australian AI case studies, advice from industry experts to start your career in AI, and more. The two-and-a-half-hour course provides a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for…

29 April , 2024

Scam Losses Fall But A Long Road Ahead

The National Anti-Scam Centre’s collaborative efforts across government, law enforcement, consumer organisations and industry have boosted the community’s fight against financial crime, as the latest Targeting Scams report reveals a 13.1 per cent decline in reported losses to $2.74 billion in 2023. The report compiles data reported to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX), IDCARE…