ACS Week in Review: 1 February 2013
ACS in the news
Topics in the news
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Digital Economy: Smartphone use up 104%, Government launches $40mil CSIRO productivity fund.
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Cyber security: New York Times turns tables on Chinese hackers.
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Telecommunications: NSW government launches seniors tech training.
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Government: Election called for 14 September 2013.
News for ACS newsfeed
Digital Economy
- According to the ACMA, one in two Australian’s now have a smartphone, representing 104 per cent growth from June 2011 to May 2012. There are now also 22.1 million mobile internet subscriptions across the country.
- The federal Government has launched a $40 million Digital Productivity and Services Flagship fund through CSIRO, which aims to improving productivity of country’s services sector and helping Australia transition from a resource dependent country to a networked economy.
- The ACCC asked the NBN Co to provider detailed spending projections and demand forecasts as part of its review of the pricing structure. Optus had previously had a similar request rejected by the NBN and welcomed the move by the ACCC.
Cyber Security
- The New York Times have revealed the details of a four month hacking campaign against their website, and led by hackers based in China.
- The number of request for user data from Australian government agencies to Google has increased dramatically over the past year. 584 requests were made "for disclosure of user data from Google accounts or services" according to a report.
Government
- As to the Prime Minister announces the election date, commentators are debating on the role Social Media sites such as Twitter will play in deciding the next government.
- The Department of Health and Ageing plans to convert 980,941 pages of Medibank and private health insurance patient records stored on microfiche into searchable PDFs, and have issued a tender for suppliers to provide support for the project.
Telecommunications
- The NSW government have launched a new programme to help seniors use technology. The Tech Savvy Seniors program will provide free or low-cost technology training to seniors at libraries and community colleges.
- Long time Telstra executive Deena Shiff is leaving the company. She has worked for Telstra since 1998 and most recently was responsible for setting up the companies’ venture capital arm.
Government announcements
Opposition announcements