With on-line digital markets rapidly evolving with the development of new technologies, including AI tools and AI services, the ACCC in its final report released on the 23 June 2025 has identified a number of developments and emerging issues for consumers in digital platform markets which need monitoring. This article explores some of these issues and the ACCC’s recommended regulatory reforms to address them.
Read moreIn this update, Stephens Lawyers & Consultants provides a review of selected determinations made (and published) by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) during the period August 2024 to 30 September 2026 in relation to privacy breaches in which compensation was awarded – and the factors that the OAIC takes into account in assessing whether compensation should be awarded to the complainant.
Read moreFrom 30 May 2025 all businesses that have an annual turnover of $3 million in a financial year, must report a ransomware or cyber extortion within 72 hours of making or having a payment made on its behalf. This is in addition to existing reporting obligations under the Notifiable Data Breach scheme. This article explores these reporting obligations and offers guidance on some strategies to consider for data protection and privacy law compliance.
Read moreThe ACCC has issued its Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2026 to 2027. The ACCC will be focusing on various business and consumer sectors including Supermarkets and retail, Digital markets and Essential services, telecommunications, electricity, and gas
Read moreOn 25 March 2025, the Australian Government announced a proposal to ban non-compete clauses for employees earning less than the high-income threshold. The Government has consulted on the reform to non-compete clauses and on potential additional reforms to other restraints on workers. In this article, Stephens Lawyers and Consultants discusses a recent case which demonstrates why non-compete clauses should be maintained in employment contracts.
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