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With tens of millions of scam calls happening globally every day, 'Scambaiting' is on the rise.
Pick & Scroll News
November 27, 2024
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Good morning. With tens of millions of scam calls happening globally every day, 'Scambaiting' is on the rise. Scambaiting is when the target of a phone or online scam realises what's happening and plays along. The goal is to waste as much of the scammer's time as possible.
Enter, Daisy Harris, an AI-generated granny unveiled this month by British phone company O2, as part of its efforts to curb phone scammers.
Daisy is the perfect target with her befuddlement about technology and eagerness to engage however can lead the scammers down crazy rabbit holes and long winded chats about her birds, wasting hours of time. Feels like we need a few more Daisy's in the world.
All the headlines and more below...
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AUSTRALIAN NEWS
Plans for tobacco to light up aviation industry
Genetically modified tobacco plants could produce sustainable aviation fuel. LINK
A bipartisan parliamentary committee recommends designating ChatGPT, Meta and Google's generative AI products as "high-risk" under new AI laws. LINK
22% of Australian private renters and over 50% of social housing renters live below the poverty line. LINK
The Victorian government has announced new gambling laws requiring player cards for gaming machines, limiting poker machine loads to $100 and reducing spin rates by 40%. LINK
Many Millennials are turning to investing in ETFs and bonds, contributing to nearly half of all investors on the Australian sharemarket. LINK
The Commonwealth's legal spending has surged to $600M, with external law firm costs reaching $448M in FY23, as total legal expenses nearly doubled over 2 years prior to major supplier and cost reforms. LINK
A heat spike in NSW has threatened electricity supply with potential disruptions of 1,700 megawatts. LINK
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GLOBAL NEWS
Tasmania invites China to expand its use of Hobart as gateway city to Antarctica for icebreakers
The Tasmanian government has invited China's polar research vessels to increase their visits to Hobart, aiming to boost local revenue by leveraging renewed Antarctic interests. LINK
An AI-generated grandmother named Daisy Harris has become scammers' worst nightmare by engaging them in lengthy, distracting conversations, demonstrating AI's potential in combatting phone fraud. LINK
A raid in Manila has uncovered a scam centre targeting up to 5,000 Australian victims, leading to the arrest of 250 suspected cybercriminals. LINK
The Australian dollar has fallen to a 4-month low of US64.32¢, following US President-elect Donald Trump's announcement of substantial tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China triggering a US dollar surge. LINK
A DHL cargo plane has crashed at Vilnius airport in Lithuania, killing 1 person and injuring 3 others, as investigations consider both an accident and potential hybrid attack. LINK
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Instagram has introduced an option for users to reset their algorithms
Instagram now allows users to reset their algorithm to regain control over their content feed, providing a personalised browsing experience. LINK
Citigroup is reducing year-end promotions from 8,000 to 2,000 positions as part of its restructuring strategy, with pay hikes capped at 15%. LINK
ASX has announced further delays and cost overruns for its CHESS program, with Release 1 expected to cost $125M and Release 2 projected at $270-320M by 2029. LINK
Webjet Group reported an 8% drop in first-half FY25 bookings, though net profit increased to $9.2M. LINK
Brickworks reported a first-quarter revenue decline of 5% in Australia and 12% in North America, prompting temporary plant closures. LINK
Google has expanded its US$1B "Pacific Connect" sea cable project to connect the US and Asia via Darwin. LINK
Beston Global Food Company will cease milk production on December 6, affecting 150 employees, leaving over 40 farmers owed more than $10M. LINK
The Essential Ingredient reportedly traded while insolvent for up to 9 months before its September collapse, accumulating $7M in debt due to staff shortages and reduced consumer spending. LINK AFR
Regis Healthcare reports exceeding profit targets, driven by improved occupancy rates and increased government funding per bed day. LINK
Google and Meta are urging the Australian government to delay a bill banning social media for children under 16. LINK
Zoom has raised its FY25 revenue forecasts and expanded its share repurchase plan by $1.2B. LINK
Coles has extended its partnership with Microsoft to enhance digital initiatives and AI-driven shopping experiences. LINK
Meta is set to face an April trial over the FTC's allegations regarding its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions. LINK
The Iconic's CEO to boost sales through exclusive labels and innovative delivery concepts. LINK AFR
Google has proposed new adjustments to its European search results to address competition concerns after small rivals reported reduced traffic, amid EU regulatory scrutiny. LINK
Walt Disney has agreed to a US$43.3M settlement for a lawsuit alleging pay inequity affecting 9,000 female employees in California. LINK
Ramsay Health Care is addressing share price challenges through transformation programs and health fund negotiations. LINK
Okta CEO warns that Microsoft's one-stop AI strategy could stifle innovation and increase vendor dependency risks. LINK
ONE MORE SCROLL
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