AI’s new currency is compute. OpenAI and AMD’s 6GW pact jolts markets, fusing chips, capital and energy into a global buildout. From Wall Street to the Global South, data centres become power plants for the information age, an equity compute loop spinning at breakneck speed.
SimonMed Imaging has confirmed a ransomware attack by the Medusa group, exposing the sensitive health and personal data of 1.27 million patients. The breach, which originated in January, highlights the severe risks posed by third-party vendor vulnerabilities in the healthcare sector.
The Australian Signals Directorate's latest Annual Cyber Threat Report reveals a cybercrime is reported every 6 minutes, with costs to businesses soaring. The report highlights the growing threat from state-sponsored actors and the impact of AI in enabling larger, faster attacks on the nation.
Regulators are intensifying their crackdown on Big Tech, with the EU’s $2.7 billion fine against Google marking a pivotal moment. The ruling underscores Europe’s commitment to curbing anti-competitive behaviour.
As regulatory pressure on hyperscalers intensifies, Google faces a significant defeat after the European Union’s Court of Justice (CJEU) upheld a $2.7 billion fine for anti-competitive practices. This ruling marks a pivotal shift in how global regulators are handling Big Tech's dominance in the digital economy.
Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, celebrated the decision as a landmark victory in the battle to promote fair competition. She declared,
“The Court of Justice confirms that, in certain circumstances, the favourable treatment of its own services by a dominant company can be a breach of Article 9(2) of the European treaty.”
Vestager’s comments reflect a broader regulatory push to prevent hyperscalers from abusing their market power, emphasizing that innovation must be driven by merit, not monopolistic practices.
Google, unsurprisingly, expressed disappointment with the ruling. In a statement issued by company spokesman Rory O'Donoghue, Google noted,
“This judgement relates to a very specific set of facts. We made changes back in 2017 to comply with the European Commission's decision, and our approach has worked successfully for more than seven years.”
However, this response does little to shift the broader narrative, which is now heavily focused on curbing the power of dominant tech players across Europe and beyond.
As regulators intensify their oversight of hyperscalers, one critical question emerges: Will these tech giants finally accept the need for fairer competition, or will they continue to resist, leveraging their vast resources to challenge each ruling? Europe’s regulators, especially the EU, seem prepared for a long battle, with Vestager making clear that,
“Going forward, the Commission will… make sure that the principle enshrined in this judgement is upheld to the benefit of all European consumers.”
The repercussions for other tech giants like Amazon and Facebook are significant. Both are facing their own scrutiny from regulators eager to prevent anti-competitive practices. The message is clear—self-preferencing and other monopolistic behaviours will not be tolerated, and companies must adapt or face increasing legal challenges.
The ruling is a stark warning to Big Tech that the era of unchecked dominance is coming to an end. Vestager’s remark that, “It’s easier and better to be compliant,” underlines the growing pressure for hyperscalers to rethink their strategies. This decision is not just a win for regulatory bodies but for consumers and smaller businesses that rely on a fairer, more competitive market to thrive.
As Europe continues to lead the charge, other regions, including the U.S. and Australia, are following suit, tightening their grip on how tech giants operate. With this ruling, a new precedent has been set—hyperscalers must now compete on equal footing, and the global digital economy is poised for significant transformation.
Instagram has launched an AI-driven age verification tool in Australia ahead of the December 10 ban on under-16s using social media. The move aims to boost child safety but raises major privacy concerns, with experts warning of risks tied to surveillance, data misuse and unreliable accuracy.
Australia has gone all-in on quantum, betting billions on PsiQuantum’s Brisbane facility while building alliances and spin-outs from Sydney to Chicago. With defence contracts, investor momentum and Five Eyes strategy at stake, Canberra’s gamble is to lead, not follow, in the quantum race.
ASIO’s $12.5 billion espionage warning is more than a tally of stolen secrets. It reveals a national digital crisis. With 24 major spy operations disrupted and identity systems exposed, Australia’s critical infrastructure and social services face a growing risk of collapse from unseen cyber threats.
Trump administration unveils comprehensive AI cybersecurity action plan establishing AI Information Sharing and Analysis Center for threat intelligence. Australian regulator ASIC sues Fortnum Private Wealth over cybersecurity failures that exposed client records on dark web.
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