Big Tech stories

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.

Microsoft's deal to restart Three Mile Island’s nuclear reactor marks a revival driven by soaring AI data centre energy demands and sustainability goals.

Nebius has struck a multi-billion USD $ deal with Microsoft to supply AI cloud infrastructure from its new Vineland data centre, boosting growth from 2026.

Fastly's Randy Reddig reveals AI bots now drive much web traffic, disrupting media models and pushing publishers toward new edge-based solutions.

The Australian Society of Authors opposes a Productivity Commission proposal for AI text mining exceptions, citing risks to creators’ copyright and earnings.

Tracer AI launches Tracer Protect for ChatGPT, an AI tool to monitor and combat brand fraud and scams exploiting ChatGPT chatbot responses.

EU member states urge social media firms to verify advertisers to curb a EUR €4.3bn investment scam crisis sweeping across Europe.

The Australian Government's suspension of mandatory AI regulations raises alarms for Electronic Frontiers Australia, which warns of risks to safety and rights.

Research shows Facebook's grip on young Brits is waning, with 70% of those aged 18-24 reducing their use, favouring platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

iProov forecasts that by 2025, deepfake technology will threaten news integrity and financial markets, prompting urgent calls for stronger identity verification.

GMI Cloud has secured USD $82 million in Series A funding to enhance its cloud infrastructure and establish a new data centre in the US.