Today in Australia: 5 Important Things to Be Aware Of

Canva, the popular design platform, has made its anti-deepfake technology, Shield, available to other developers for free. Shield is a collection of AI tools designed to prevent the creation and spread of abusive imagery and misinformation, particularly as a malicious prompt detector. Canva’s co-founder and chief product officer, Cameron Adams, highlighted the importance of open source technology in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.

In other tech news, TPG Telecom and the University of Technology, Sydney are collaborating on a project to experiment with 5G flood sensors. These sensors are being tested on the Parramatta River and the Georges River to gather weather information without relying on traditional sensors. TPG’s Chief Technology Officer, Giovanni Chiarelli, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

On a more somber note, Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, a crypto trading platform, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy related to the company’s collapse. The judge expressed concerns about Bankman-Fried’s behavior and the potential risk he poses in the future.

Google has announced that it will delete billions of data records collected through Chrome’s Incognito Mode as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit. The tech giant will also update the disclosure for Incognito Mode to better inform users about data collection practices.

Lastly, Microsoft is separating its Teams workplace messaging app from its Office suite of products globally, following a previous move in Europe to avoid antitrust fines. This decision aims to provide more flexibility for multinational companies and address feedback from regulatory bodies.