August
Telegram’s Durov built a haven for free speech – and child predators
The Russian-born billionaire’s indictment in France has drawn outrage from supporters. But his platform hosts some of the vilest stuff on the internet.
- Pranshu Verma, Will Oremus and Gerrit De Vynck
April
Apple exec’s secret to success: don’t take notes
In his first day of cross-examination, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller lays out its casual but obviously effective approach to decision-making.
- John Davidson
Fortnite billionaire admits he loved, deceived Apple
When you get one of the world’s richest and most popular computer nerds into the witness stand for sworn testimony, what’s the first question you want to ask them?
- John Davidson
March
Epic battle with Apple and Google heads into the wilds
In a light-hearted exchange, a Federal Court judge says a willingness to be shot at in a game may help you with installing the game in the first place.
- John Davidson
iPhone will be ‘degraded’ if Epic wins court case, Apple warns
New laws in Europe mean iPhone users there are already facing all manner of new threats to their safety.
- John Davidson
What peanut butter has to do with what’s available in the App Store
Epic Games’ landmark lawsuit against Apple has heard that it’s impossible to tell how profitable the App Store is because of something named after the spread.
- John Davidson
- Opinion
- Tech Observed
How the US suing Apple could change Australians’ digital world
The US Department of Justice has taken Apple to task over the very things it’s being tried for in a Melbourne courtroom. Does one case affect the other?
- John Davidson
Epic Games opens case against Apple, Google
iPhones would have cheaper apps released more quickly, and even better security and privacy if only Apple were forced to open its phones up to competition, a Melbourne court has heard.
- John Davidson
Monster court case could speed the end of Apple’s walled garden
After more than three years of delays, the Federal Court will finally decide if big tech groups have to loosen their grasp on downloads to mobile phones.
- John Davidson
November 2023
The Russian agent who smuggled computer chips from France
Maxim Ermakov was part of an operation that obtained the sophisticated microchips for the Russian military.
- Chris Cook and Max Seddon
- Analysis
- The Breakdown
Google is paying someone else $40b to make sure you keep using it
The US government has made its case to prove Google is a monopolist. The Breakdown explains why some of the tech giant’s excuses are tortured.
- Nick Bonyhady
October 2023
- Analysis
- AI
Biden late to the global party on AI safeguards
The US president’s executive order on artificial intelligence sends a strong message, but the existential fears cannot be addressed by one government’s actions.
- Paul Smith
Emails show Google boss knew Apple deal was bad ‘Optics’ years ago
Google’s Sundar Pichai raised concerns years before he became CEO that the deal with Apple to be its only default search option, looked bad from a competition perspective.
- Leah Nylen
August 2023
We can’t be cheating because our apps aren’t that successful: Apple
Apple has faced questions from the government about whether pre-installing Apple apps on iPhones is anticompetitive.
- John Davidson
June 2023
Why even Sam Altman doesn’t trust ChatGPT
The OpenAI co-founder says global regulation of AI must avoid crushing its potential but nobody should be trusting it to give accurate professional information.
- Updated
- Paul Smith
Europe challenges tech giants’ power with new AI laws
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a sweeping package that aims to protect consumers from potentially dangerous applications of artificial intelligence.
- Cat Zakrzewski and Cristiano Lima
- Exclusive
- Privacy
Big tech backs privacy reform but warns against too much consent
Tech giants have warned that changes to the Privacy Act could create shifts in the viability of digital advertising and ad-supported free digital services.
- John Davidson
May 2023
- Opinion
- AI
ChatGPT chief asks to be regulated, but does he mean it?
The boss of OpenAI, creator of the chatbot, has called for regulation of his own product, but the current discussions are being dominated by those with vested interests, and that is dangerous.
- Rebecca Johnson
September 2022
- Opinion
- Retail
Retailers’ blind spot over facial recognition technology
Scanning the faces of customers was an overreach by retailers and is likely to be prohibited under proposed new laws.
- Sue Mitchell
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
This entrepreneur has fought Google for years. The endgame is near
Matt Berriman will finally get his day in court against Google if a judge rules in his favour, and says the US giant must justify the acts that killed Unlockd.
- Paul Smith