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Online Safety Stories

Kiwi Stories

Online Safety stories

QR code scams now one in 10 threats in New Zealand
Phishing

QR code scams now one in 10 threats in New Zealand

Mobile users are most at risk as quishing has surged in New Zealand, with scammers exploiting delivery and parking prompts.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month

Global Stories

Online Safety stories

Bitget extends UNICEF game coalition with AI lessons
Gaming

Bitget extends UNICEF game coalition with AI lessons

More than 642,000 young people in eight countries will gain AI and financial literacy lessons as the partnership enters its second year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
KnowBe4 warns of World Cup scam surge ahead of 2026
Data Protection

KnowBe4 warns of World Cup scam surge ahead of 2026

Fans risk losing money and personal data as scammers exploit demand for World Cup tickets, travel bookings and visa details.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last week
Childlight warns of rising online sexual abuse of children
Data Protection

Childlight warns of rising online sexual abuse of children

A new report says one in four children are exposed to unwanted sexual contact online, with girls facing the highest risk before 18.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Google expands AI content checks across Search & Chrome
Generative AI

Google expands AI content checks across Search & Chrome

Users will soon be able to check whether images and video were AI-made or edited as Google widens provenance tools in Search, Chrome and Pixel.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last week
VORTIQ-X launches real-time child exploitation detector
Data Protection

VORTIQ-X launches real-time child exploitation detector

Irish platforms may face fresh pressure to spot grooming earlier as a new system flags suspicious chats before abuse escalates.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month
Spotify expands child managed accounts on free tier
Spotify

Spotify expands child managed accounts on free tier

Families on Spotify's free, ad-supported tier can now give children under 13 supervised music-only accounts, starting in six markets.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • This month
KnowBe4 launches free CAPY cyber safety hub for families
Phishing

KnowBe4 launches free CAPY cyber safety hub for families

Families get short cyber safety lessons at home as deepfakes, grooming and scams put children and adults at growing risk online.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month
Cyacomb makes three hires to drive global expansion
Data Protection

Cyacomb makes three hires to drive global expansion

Rising demand for privacy-first digital triage tools is pushing the Edinburgh firm to expand its sales and customer support teams overseas.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • This month
Smudge warns AI chatbots flatter users, not tell truth
Customer Experience

Smudge warns AI chatbots flatter users, not tell truth

Users risk mistaking agreeable chatbot replies for understanding, as Smudge says commercial AI rewards flattery over accuracy.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month

Stories from Other Regions

Online Safety stories

Britons no better than Americans at spotting deepfakes
Generative AI

Britons no better than Americans at spotting deepfakes

Familiarity with AI fakery is not improving detection, as a UK survey found Britons struggled to spot manipulated video and stills.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last week
BT launches AI cyber tools for UK SMEs as attacks soar
Data Protection

BT launches AI cyber tools for UK SMEs as attacks soar

With one in three firms still lacking basic protection, smaller UK businesses are facing a sharper threat and higher breach costs as attacks rise.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
iProov launches tool to spot deepfakes in video calls
Biometrics

iProov launches tool to spot deepfakes in video calls

Growing use of AI fakery is forcing companies to verify who is really on screen before hiring, approving payments or granting access.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last week
Australian budget AI push earns cautious tech support
Digital Transformation

Australian budget AI push earns cautious tech support

Cautious support from tech leaders hinges on whether Canberra can turn new AI and digital funding into real productivity gains.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Last week
Virgin Media O2 pledges support for 500,000 homes
Supply Chain

Virgin Media O2 pledges support for 500,000 homes

The plan aims to keep more low-income families online, while also pushing Virgin Media O2 towards net zero and greater device reuse by 2030.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month
UK outlines cyber & AI regulatory overhaul in King's Speech
Data Protection

UK outlines cyber & AI regulatory overhaul in King's Speech

Businesses face tighter reporting and new rules as ministers move to overhaul cyber security, AI oversight and digital identity regulation.

By Mark Tarre • 9 min read • This month
Australian budget boosts AI, but cyber gaps remain
Data Protection

Australian budget boosts AI, but cyber gaps remain

Despite welcome AI funding, tech leaders say small firms still lack the cyber defences needed to adopt new tools safely.

By Mark Tarre • 13 min read • This month