Jurisdiction

Thousands affected by AI-linked data breach in New South Wales

A major data breach has affected the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program in New South Wales.

Authorities confirmed that personal information was exposed after a former contractor uploaded data to the AI platform ChatGPT between 12 and 15 March 2025.

The leaked file contained over 12,000 records, with details including names, addresses, contact information and health data. Up to 3,000 individuals may be impacted.

While there is no evidence yet that the information has been accessed by third parties, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Cyber Security NSW have launched a forensic investigation.

Officials apologised for the breach and pledged to notify all affected individuals in the coming week. ID Support NSW is offering free advice and resources, while compensation will be provided for any costs linked to replacing compromised identity documents.

The RA has also strengthened its internal policies to prevent unauthorised use of AI platforms. An independent review of the incident is underway to determine how the breach occurred and why notification took several months.

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Nintendo denies lobbying the Japanese government over generative AI

The video game company, Nintendo, has denied reports that it lobbied the Japanese government over the use of generative AI. The company issued an official statement on its Japanese X account, clarifying that it has had no contact with authorities.

However, this rumour originated from a post by Satoshi Asano, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, who suggested that private companies had pressed the government on intellectual property protection concerning AI.

After Nintendo’s statement, Asano retracted his remarks and apologised for spreading misinformation.

Nintendo stressed that it would continue to protect its intellectual property against infringement, whether AI was involved or not. The company reaffirmed its cautious approach toward generative AI in game development, focusing on safeguarding creative rights rather than political lobbying.

The episode underscores the sensitivity around AI in the creative industries of Japan, where concerns about copyright and technological disruption are fuelling debate. Nintendo’s swift clarification signals how seriously it takes misinformation and protects its brand.

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Former Google CEO backs Antarctic drone venture

A reported investment by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt aims to deploy advanced drone systems to navigate Antarctic waters under extreme conditions. The project involves autonomous aerial and underwater drones tailored for polar environments.

Schmidt’s initiative would target the Southern Ocean’s carbon cycle, ice dynamics, and climate modelling. Designers intend drones to operate where traditional vessels cannot, gathering otherwise unreachable data to refine climate models.

Technologies under development reportedly include cold-resistant batteries, autonomous navigation systems, satellite or acoustic communications, and ice-penetrating radar for subsurface mapping. The designs emphasise minimal human intervention.

There is room for application beyond research, including maritime logistics in polar routes and environmental monitoring. If real, the investment could reshape the future of work on how scientists and explorers gather data in remote, hostile regions.

On the other hand, there are criticisms to exploring the area with technologies that could disturb the ecosystem and native species already under other threats. Therefore, careful consideration will have to be made of the ecological impact of this initiative.

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FRA presents rights framework at EU Innovation Hub AI Cluster workshop in Tallinn

The EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security’s AI Cluster gathered in Tallinn on 25–26 September for a workshop focused on AI and its implications for security and rights.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) played a central role, presenting its Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment framework under the AI Act and highlighting its ongoing project on assessing high-risk AI.

A workshop that also provided an opportunity for FRA to give an update on its internal and external work in the AI field, reflecting the growing need to balance technological innovation with rights-based safeguards.

AI-driven systems in security and policing are increasingly under scrutiny, with regulators and agencies seeking to ensure compliance with EU rules on privacy, transparency and accountability.

In collaboration with Europol, FRA also introduced plans for a panel discussion on ‘The right to explanation of AI-driven individual decision-making’. Scheduled for 19 November in Brussels, the session will form part of the Annual Event of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.

It is expected to draw policymakers, law enforcement representatives and rights advocates into dialogue about transparency obligations in AI use for security contexts.

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Mexico drafts law to regulate AI in dubbing and animation

The Mexican government is preparing a law to regulate the use of AI in dubbing, animation, and voiceovers to prevent unauthorised voice cloning and safeguard creative rights.

Working with the National Copyright Institute and more than 128 associations, it aims to reform copyright legislation before the end of the year.

The plan would strengthen protections for actors, voiceover artists, and creative workers, while addressing contract conditions and establishing a ‘Made in Mexico’ seal for cultural industries.

A bill that is expected to prohibit synthetic dubbing without consent, impose penalties for misuse, and recognise voice and image as biometric data.

Industry voices warn that AI has already disrupted work opportunities. Several dubbing firms in Los Angeles have closed, with their projects taken over by companies specialising in AI-driven dubbing.

Startups such as Deepdub and TrueSync have advanced the technology, dubbing films and television content across languages at scale.

Unions and creative groups argue that regulation is vital to protect both jobs and culture. While AI offers efficiency in translation and production, it cannot yet replicate the emotional depth of human performance.

The law is seen as the first attempt of Mexico to balance technological innovation with the rights of workers and creators.

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Meta faces fines in Netherlands over algorithm-first timelines

A Dutch court has ordered Meta to give Facebook and Instagram users in the Netherlands the right to set a chronological feed as their default.

The ruling follows a case brought by digital rights group Bits of Freedom, which argued that Meta’s design undermines user autonomy under the European Digital Services Act.

Although a chronological feed is already available, it is hidden and cannot be permanent. The court said Meta must make the settings accessible on the homepage and Reels section and ensure they stay in place when the apps are restarted.

If Meta does not comply within two weeks, it faces a fine of €100,000 per day, capped at €5 million.

Bits of Freedom argued that algorithmic feeds threaten democracy, particularly before elections. The court agreed the change must apply permanently rather than temporarily during campaigns.

The group welcomed the ruling but stressed it was only a small step in tackling the influence of tech giants on public debate.

Meta has not yet responded to the decision, which applies only in the Netherlands despite being based on EU law. Campaigners say the case highlights the need for more vigorous enforcement to ensure digital platforms respect user choice and democratic values.

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UK users lose access to Imgur amid watchdog probe

Imgur has cut off access for UK users after regulators warned its parent company, MediaLab AI, of a potential fine over child data protection.

Visitors to the platform since 30 September have been met with a notice saying that content is unavailable in their region, with embedded Imgur images on other sites also no longer visible.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) began investigating the platform in March, questioning whether it complied with data laws and the Children’s Code.

The regulator said it had issued MediaLab with a notice of intent to fine the company following provisional findings. Officials also emphasised that leaving the UK would not shield Imgur from responsibility for any past breaches.

Some users speculated that the withdrawal was tied to new duties under the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to check whether visitors are over 18 before allowing access to harmful content.

However, both the ICO and Ofcom stated that Imgur decided on a commercial choice. Other MediaLab services, such as Kik Messenger, continue to operate in the UK with age verification measures in place.

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NSW expands secure AI platform NSWEduChat across schools

Following successful school trials, the New South Wales Department of Education has confirmed the broader rollout of its in-house generative AI platform, NSWEduChat.

The tool, developed within the department’s Sydney-based cloud environment, prioritises privacy, security, and equity while tailoring content to the state’s educational context. It is aligned with the NSW AI Assessment Framework.

The trial began in 16 schools in Term 1, 2024, and then expanded to 50 schools in Term 2. Teachers reported efficiency gains, and students showed strong engagement. Access was extended to all staff in Term 4, 2024, with Years 5–12 students due to follow in Term 4, 2025.

Key features include a privacy-first design, built-in safeguards, and a student mode that encourages critical thinking by offering guided prompts rather than direct answers. Staff can switch between staff and student modes for lesson planning and preparation.

All data is stored in Australia under departmental control. NSWEduChat is free and billed as the most cost-effective AI tool for schools. Other systems are accessible but not endorsed; staff must follow safety rules, while students are limited to approved tools.

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Greece considers social media ban for under-16s, says Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has signalled that Greece may consider banning social media use for children under 16.

He raised the issue during a UN event in New York, hosted by Australia, titled ‘Protecting Children in the Digital Age’, held as part of the 80th UN General Assembly.

Mitsotakis emphasised that any restrictions would be coordinated with international partners, warning that the world is carrying out the largest uncontrolled experiment on children’s minds through unchecked social media exposure.

He cautioned that the long-term effects are uncertain but unlikely to be positive.

The prime minister pointed to new national initiatives, such as the ban on mobile phone use in schools, which he said has transformed the educational experience.

He also highlighted the recent launch of parco.gov.gr, which provides age verification and parental control tools to support families in protecting children online.

Mitsotakis stressed that difficulties enforcing such measures cannot serve as an excuse for inaction, urging global cooperation to address the growing risks children face in the digital age.

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California enacts first state-level AI safety law

In the US, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, a landmark law establishing transparency and safety requirements for large AI companies.

The legislation obliges major AI developers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind to disclose their safety protocols. It also introduces whistle-blower protections and a reporting mechanism for safety incidents, including cyberattacks and autonomous AI behaviour not covered by the EU AI Act.

Reactions across the industry have been mixed. Anthropic supported the law, while Meta and OpenAI lobbied against it, with OpenAI publishing an open letter urging Newsom not to sign. Tech firms have warned that state-level measures could create a patchwork of regulation that stifles innovation.

Despite resistance, the law positions California as a national leader in AI governance. Newsom said the state had demonstrated that it was possible to safeguard communities without stifling growth, calling AI ‘the new frontier in innovation’.

Similar legislation is under consideration in New York, while California lawmakers are also debating SB 243, a separate bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots.

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