Life in the digital world – what do you think are the future challenges?

What are the future challenges of living in a digital world? Malcolm Crompton wants to hear your thoughts and concerns for an upcoming forum on this topic.

STEM: Part culture war, part cargo cult

How can we get the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) right in Australian schools and universities? Nicholas Gruen says it is about more than just funding.

It’s not just your TV listening in to your conversation

Be careful what you say in front of your new television, following reports that Samsung’s new Smart TVs are now being programmed to listen to every word you say and send it over the internet to a third party cloud service. Dr Michael Cowling explains.

Terrorism, surveillance and intelligence: The next 5 years

Surveillance has become a dirty word since the Snowden leaks. Intelligence and security expert Dr Patrick Walsh says it’s simplistic to merely talk about a balance between privacy and security and argues that democratic states now need surveillance and intelligence more than ever.

A risk based approach to privacy

The International Association of Privacy Professionals iappANZ is hosting an event on 11 February 2015 in Sydney to discuss a risk based privacy framework.

Environmental issues affecting Australia and the world in 2015

Exciting technological breakthroughs are successfully tackling current pressing environmental problems. Gregory Mueller wonders why we hear so little about this.

Social Media is changing the world – lessons in discernment

Our professional and private lives have changed significantly with the ubiquity of social media. Sue Ellson says we have gained far more than we have lost, but we still need to be discerning in how we use it.

Tackling the growth of e-waste in 2015

Almost every week there’s the launch of a new desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, but what about the e-waste this generates? Carmel Dollisson from TechCollect is passionate about educating Australians about the importance of recycling responsibly.

Banning video games – taking responsibility as a society

Target Australia recently pulled the R-rated video game Grand Theft Auto V from its shelves following feedback about the game's depictions of violence against women. Angela Borbilas says it’s time for the community to come together and recognise that we all have to do our part.

Good privacy is good business

Privacy should not be underestimated or taken for granted. Following the Privacy @ Play Summit last month, Malcolm Crompton explains why good privacy is good business.

Standards: paving the way to a better cloud computing future

Concerns over privacy and security risks in cloud computing are still widespread. Malcolm Crompton says a new code of practice for cloud service providers handling personal information could be a game changer.

The four who would be king

The so-called Smart21 Intelligent Communities are based on nominations submitted by communities large and small from around the world. Louis Zacharilla explains what it took for the four Australian participants to make the cut.