Australia: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

Australia's new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, which commenced in June 2025, is being tested against emerging AI-powered smart glasses technology that can record audio and video discreetly. As these devices become more sophisticated and less detectable, questions arise about whether current privacy laws adequately protect individuals from covert surveillance and data collection in both public and private settings.

APRA’s most recent accountability enforcement action against Bendigo and Adelaide Bank (BAB) for failures to address known cyber weaknesses within its group demonstrates how seriously it takes cyber risk management.

Prime Minister Albanese's speech on 15 July 2026 marked a decisive shift in Australia's approach to artificial intelligence, from voluntary guidance to mandatory national regulation. The announcement establishes Australian Standards for AI, copyright licensing requirements, a national planning framework for data centres, energy obligations, and workplace protections—all underpinned by the concept of sovereign AI.

More than fifty years after humans last travelled beyond low Earth orbit, NASA’s Artemis II mission has marked a defining moment in space exploration. Artemis II sent four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon, testing spacecraft systems, communications and operational readiness for future lunar landings and, ultimately, missions to Mars.

Once the domain of government agencies, today the global space landscape is increasingly driven by private organisations pursuing a more entrepreneurial and commercial utilisation of space. We have come to depend on space-enabled technologies, such as satellite-based services, for everyday activities including navigation, telecommunications, weather forecasting, emergency management, banking, mining, agriculture and transportation.

On 28 May 2026, the Treasury published stage 1 of its long-awaited package of laws and consultations to designate, implement and operationalise the Scams Prevention Framework (SPF).

Eminem's legal team has challenged an Australian beach lifestyle brand's trade mark application, arguing that 'Swim Shady' is confusingly similar to his iconic 'Slim Shady' persona. Australia's Registrar of Trade Marks has now ruled on whether the rapper's existing Australian registrations provide sufficient grounds to block the beach brand's application, with the decision turning on evidence of genuine use across merchandise categories.

The Act requires providers of those social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 years of age from obtaining or maintaining accounts with the platform.

Case demonstrates the power of passionate advocacy, the vital role of independent media, and the far-reaching consequences a single case can have on politics, law, and public consciousness.

Almost a year after the Government announced that it agreed or agreed in-principle with 106 of the 116 recommended reforms in the Attorney-General’s Department Privacy Act Review Report 2022...

The Full Federal Court of Australia has handed down its appeal decision in Aldi Foods Pty Limited v Hampden Holdings I.P. Pty Limited [2026] FCAFC 103 which provides guidance regarding the application of copyright infringement principles to the packaging of look-alike products.

The Australian Privacy Commissioner has determined that Monash IVF and a telehealth company have interfered with the privacy of website visitors via tracking pixels, without obtaining end-user consent.