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1,019 tacks

Thinktank warns Australian misinformation laws should not be based on voluntary industry code | Australia news | The Guardian

A thinktank has warned that Australia’s proposed misinformation laws should not rely on voluntary industry codes. The group argues that such codes are ineffective and could lead to inconsistent enforcement, undermining the laws’ potential impact. For more details,

The AI grift that can literally poison you

The rise of AI and low-cost production has flooded Amazon with misleading, low-quality ebooks, endangering readers and undermining genuine authors, all driven by a race-to-the-bottom profit model.

Australia urged to impose big tech tax to fund trusted media and fight disinformation | Australia news | The Guardian

Australia is being urged to impose a tax on big tech companies to fund trusted media outlets and combat misinformation. The proposal aims to counter the harmful effects of disinformation on society by supporting quality journalism and providing

What are smartphones doing to children?

Two months ago, Daisy Greenwell and Clare Fernyhough set up a WhatsApp group to discuss how to stave off their young children’s demands for smartphones. After they posted about their plans on Instagram, other parents wanted in. Now

Fear and anger are dominating our world right now, but are we being manipulated for profit? - ABC News

Fear and anger are being engineered for profit, fueling manipulation in politics, media, and leadership. While these emotions can drive social change, overuse fosters distrust, apathy, and "rage exhaustion."

Social media lies can unleash a dangerous contempt for others. We can stop it | Max Jeganathan

Social media lies and misinformation, fueled by contempt for others, are eroding social trust in Australia. This contempt, exacerbated by virtualization and the spread of misinformation, dehumanizes those with differing viewpoints. To combat this, we must prioritize empathy,

The demise of Twitter: How a ‘utopian vision’ for social media became a ‘toxic mess’

Since Musk's acquisition of Twitter (now X), dismantling its verification, moderation, and safety systems has led to a decline in influence, increased misinformation, and an exodus of users and researchers.

WhatsApp and the Wakeley riot: how a messaging platform became a fake news broadcaster | Sydney | The Guardian

A knife attack during a church service in Sydney sparked chaos, with misinformation rapidly spreading via WhatsApp, escalating tensions, prompting community unrest, and injuring police officers.

Why the era of cheap streaming is over

Streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus have increased prices, leading consumers to adopt strategies like “serial churning”—subscribing and unsubscribing based on content preferences—to manage costs.

The Guardian view on smartphones and children: a compelling case for action | Editorial

The Guardian editorial argues for stricter regulation of smartphone use by children, citing a correlation between increased smartphone use and rising mental health issues. While acknowledging potential counterarguments, the editorial contends that the risks of inaction outweigh the