Tech
Google warns Oracle hack may impact 100+ companies
The tech giant has sounded the alarm on a major cyberattack targeting Oracle’s business software, warning that over 100 companies may be affected.
According to Reuters’ Raphael Satter, the breach, which may have started months ago, saw “mass amounts of customer data” stolen.
Meanwhile, that’s not the only major leak…
Discord is reeling after hackers accessed sensitive user data, including selfies, ID documents and contact details.
404 Media’s Joseph Cox writes that the group behind the attack is reportedly trying to extort the company.
4chan excluded from under-16s social media ban
The Guardian’s Josh Taylor writes that the eSafety commissioner has confirmed 4chan won’t be part of Australia’s upcoming under-16s social media ban.
Julie Inman Grant told Senate estimates the site is “really an image board,” not a social platform.
Legal
Abbie Chatfield settles defamation case for nearly $80,000
The Australian’s Joanna Panagopoulos and Liam Mendes write that Chatfield will pay nearly $80,000 to former friend Heath Kelley after calling him a “delusional genocide supporter” and a “pathetic man” on Instagram.
The Federal Court confirmed the payment was made “by consent.”
Spotify sued for $10 million over alleged ‘Jam’ idea theft
Five former VCU Brandcenter students are suing Spotify, claiming the company stole their concept for its social-listening feature, Jam.
Digital Music News’ Dylan Smith writes the group says their “Spotify Jams” project began as a class assignment nearly a decade ago and evolved into a “game-changing” idea.
AI
Deloitte admits AI, not typos, caused errors in government report
Deloitte has admitted that errors in a major government report were caused by artificial intelligence, not “transcription issues” as it initially claimed.
The Australian Financial Review’s Rachael Bolton reports the firm also falsely said officials knew AI was being used.
Former Google CEO warns AI could be trained to kill
CNBC’s Sawdah Bhaimiya reports that Eric Schmidt has issued a blunt warning about AI’s darker side, saying the technology could be hacked and used for harm.
Speaking at the Sifted Summit, Schmidt said hackers can “remove guardrails” from AI systems, allowing them to be misused in dangerous ways.
Radio
Job cuts at SCA as news team faces restructure
A little under two weeks since Seven West Media (SWM) and Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) announced a merger, Radio Today’s Sarah Patterson writes that redundancies have been announced.
SCA claims it’s ‘shaking up’ its news operations, with news to now be produced from metro and regional hubs.
Companies
David Ellison sidesteps Paramount Skydance-Warner merger talk
The Paramount Skydance CEO has refused to comment on speculation the company could make a play for Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Rick Porter, Ellison told Bloomberg’s Screentime event he couldn’t address “rumours or speculation.”
Television
Jimmy Kimmel invites Trump on air after free speech row
The late night host has invited Donald Trump to appear on his show, saying he’s ready to have the former president “say whatever he wants” after their latest clash over free speech.
As The Daily Telegraph reports, the move follows Kimmel’s brief suspension from ABC last month, which has actually proved to be a ratings boost for Kimmel.
Let’s not forget Kimmel’s ratings have been dire for some time. According to Nielsen figures compiled by LateNighter, Kimmel averaged 1.77 million total viewers last year, a 2.3% slide from 2023. Among younger audiences, the drop was steeper – down more than 12%, to an average of 221,000 nightly viewers.