Australian Stories

Avast warns of surge in fake online shops in Australia

Avast flags 430,000 blocked visits to fake online shops in Australia, warning scam “ghost stores” will surge over summer sales and Christmas.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Mon, 8th Dec 2025

Digital Literacy

Optus faces $100 million penalty in sales tactics case

Optus faces a AUD $100 million penalty after admitting to selling unaffordable contracts to vulnerable consumers, including First Nations Australians.

By Melania Watson • 5 min read • Wed, 18th Jun 2025

Payment Technologies

Australians lose AUD $500 annually due to dishonour fees

New research reveals that Australians face annual charges of up to AUD $500 in dishonour fees from banks and platforms, worsening financial stress for many.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Fri, 18th Apr 2025

Fitbit

Is your refund and returns policy ACCC-compliant?

The ACCC has highlighted misleading return policies on over 2,000 Australian retail websites, prompting calls for businesses to review compliance with consumer rights.

By Emily Booth • 3 min read • Wed, 26th Feb 2025

Cloud / Communication Service Providers

Revised telecom code seeks stronger consumer safeguards

Communications Alliance has proposed revisions to the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code, aiming to enhance consumer safeguards in Australia.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Tue, 17th Dec 2024

Global Stories

Data Protection

TELUS: Shoppers want data trust as privacy beats convenience

North American shoppers now prize data privacy and trust over convenience, putting fresh pressure on retailers ahead of the holiday season.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Thu, 18th Dec 2025

Payment Technologies

Australians lose AUD $432 each on fake online tickets

One in five Australians has been duped by fake online tickets, losing an average AUD $432 as scams surge ahead of the busy summer events season.

By Melvin Hipolito • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025

Marketing Technologies

Storyblok & OtterlyAI partner to boost AI search visibility

Storyblok partners with OtterlyAI to help brands enhance visibility on AI-driven search engines amid shifting consumer search habits.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Tue, 18th Nov 2025

Data Protection

The Complex Path to Digital Sovereignty

Australia faces a pivotal moment in digital sovereignty, needing to reshape control over data and AI systems to ensure they align with local values and priorities.

By Mahesh Aswani • 4 min read • Mon, 24th Feb 2025

Data Protection

Navigating the future of AI: Enhancing trust and transparency in business practices

As AI permeates all aspects of life, trust and transparency in its use become critical, necessitating new strategies for effective business practices.

By Alyssa Blackburn • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Dec 2024

Stories from Other Regions

Marketing Technologies

Fed appeal court upholds drip pricing penalty against Cineplex

Federal Court of Appeal upholds drip pricing ruling against Cineplex, leaving a CAD $38,978,000 penalty and 10-year conduct limits in place.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Tue, 27th Jan 2026

Data Protection

Shoplifter alerts more than double in 2025 - Facewatch says

Facewatch says UK retailers' facial recognition alerts more than doubled to over 500,000 in 2025 amid rising theft and abuse in stores.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Mon, 12th Jan 2026

Partner Programmes

New UK platform targets unsafe goods on marketplaces

New UK platform FOLO-UP uses AI to flag unsafe products on major online marketplaces, pressuring retailers to pull dangerous listings.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026

eCommerce

CMA probes travel firms over online price practices & new powers

The CMA is probing eight travel firms over online pricing practices amid new powers to fine misleading pricing tactics up to 10% of global turnover.

By Melvin Hipolito • 2 min read • Thu, 20th Nov 2025

Customer Experience

Signifyd launches Intelligent Returns to help UK retailers curb costly returns

Signifyd launches Intelligent Returns to help UK retailers cut costs and manage rising returns with real-time risk intelligence and data insights.

By Jed Nykolle Harme • 3 min read • Tue, 16th Sep 2025

Digital Transformation

Why retailers need to prepare for a rise in AI-generated complaints

AI is making it easier for consumers to file well-crafted complaints, posing new challenges for retailers to manage rising digital grievances effectively.

By Mark Devlin • 9 min read • Thu, 4th Sep 2025