Scam losses are dropping, but Australians still lost $2.74bn in 2023
The National Anti-Scam Centre has released its Targeting Scams report for 2023, and while the news is better than the year before, Australians continue to lose a staggering amount of money to scams. While scam losses dropped by 13.1 per cent in 2023, the numbers still added up to scam losses of $2.74 billion for the calendar year.
Participation in anti-authority protests and vulnerability to radicalisation
Using data from a large, national survey of online Australians, the AIC examined the presence of risk and protective factors for cognitive and behavioural radicalisation among individuals who participated in an anti-authority protest since early 2020. Results show that antiauthority protesters exhibited more risk factors and fewer protective factors for cognitive and behavioural radicalisation than other respondents, including people who had participated in protests in support of other issues or movements.
Government announces ‘counter-influencer’ program and deepfake pornography ban
The government announced several measures aimed at addressing a dramatic rise in violence against women, including more than 30 deaths this year. Eleven Australian women were killed in April alone. “This new phase will specifically include a counter-influencing campaign in online spaces where violent and misogynistic content thrives, to directly challenge the material in the spaces it’s being viewed,” Albanese said in a statement.
China seeks to harvest user data from global apps to boost propaganda efforts
An ASPI report has revealed China's extensive propaganda system, which utilizes various industries and technologies beyond just TikTok, extending into data collection, AI, and immersive experiences. Policymakers are urged to adopt a holistic approach, understanding the broader implications of China's technological investments and developing proactive measures to safeguard against future information campaigns.
NSW Police Make Arrest in Clubs NSW Data Breach
Cybercrime Squad detectives from NSW Police have charged a man with blackmail after investigating a data breach, alleging he threatened to share the personal details of over one million people. On May 1, 2024, officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad were alerted to a website that had published the personal information of patrons who had signed in using their driver’s licences at specific premises across NSW.
Grim security outlook for Australia after Solomon Islands elects new pro-China Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele
A secret ballot has elected Jeremiah Manele as the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, setting Canberra on edge for the possibility of a militarised South Pacific. A leading defence expert has warned Beijing has exerted the “elite capture” of Solomon Islands’ lawmakers while Australia has struggled to strengthen ties to its neighbour since the signing of the China-Solomons security pact. “It’s a case of how much and how quickly (Mr Manele) accepts China’s influence”.
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