Media
ABC gets fresh funding for local content
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Karl Quinn writes that ABC’s content cupboard just got a healthy top-up, with federal parliament signing off on an extra $50 million over three years to boost Australian stories across kids TV, drama and other local originals.
It comes via a late tweak to the government’s long-brewing streaming quotas bill, which finally cleared the Senate after a politically delicate few days.
Social Media
Platforms lean into ID checks ahead of under-16 ban
Sky News Australia’s Oscar Godsell reports that big platforms are gearing up for Australia’s under-16 ban, with Meta, TikTok, Google and Snapchat now embracing government-issued IDs as part of their age checks.
That pivot sits awkwardly beside earlier assurances from Communications Minister Anika Wells that Australians wouldn’t need to hand over identification.
Podcasts
Apple Podcasts odd behaviour raises security flags
404 Media’s Joseph Cox has done an investigation after noticing Apple Podcasts acting oddly.
Cox writes his alarm bells went off after the app began opening itself and surfacing random shows on both iOS and Mac.
Researcher Patrick Wardle found that even visiting a website can auto-launch the app and load any podcast without permission, a quirk that isn’t a hack by itself but could become one if a deeper flaw exists.
AI
Tech giants rally for smoother AI investment rules
Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and TikTok are lining up to push for changes to energy, water, planning and copyright rules, arguing Australia needs faster approvals to keep pace with the global AI race.
Paul Smith and Luke Kinsella at The Australian Financial Review write that ABS data shows local data centre spending doubled in the September quarter, underscoring how quickly the AI buildout is landing here
Television
Jane Edmanson steps back from Gardening Australia
TV Tonight’s David Knox writes that Edmanson is retiring after 38 years on ABC, closing the chapter as the show’s last remaining original presenter.
Edmanson says she feels “proud and humble” and is ready for new horticultural adventures.