Consumer rights Stories

Australian Stories

Consumer rights stories

Australians demand fairer data use as AI trust sinks

Public confidence in AI and data handling has plunged, with most Australians rejecting the use of personal information to train models.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Artificial Intelligence

Millions of Australians struggle to navigate legal issues

Confusion, not fees, is blocking access to legal help for millions of Australians, a survey commissioned by LawConnect found.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last month

Data Protection

Australia privacy week urges better complaint handling

Only 9% of complainants were satisfied as Australia’s privacy regulator said poor resolution is eroding public trust in data handlers.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Compare Club widens health insurance panel to 10 funds

Compare Club adds HBF, HIF and see-u to its panel, lifting coverage to about 67% of Australia's private health insurance market.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Mon, 23rd Mar 2026

Global Stories

Consumer rights stories

Digital Transformation

EU digital withdrawal rule adds pressure on returns

Retailers selling into the bloc face higher costs and slower refunds as EU rules require a visible digital cancellation option in checkout flows.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week

Customer Relationship Management

Navigating data challenges in China's E-commerce market

Brands risk blind spots and sanctions in China as fragmented platforms and tighter rules make customer data harder to use and move.

By Edmund Ng • 5 min read • Last week

Data Protection

New Zealand seeks public input on ad regulation rules

The review could force brands, influencers and retailers to rethink how ads are labelled, priced and disclosed across digital channels.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Apr 2026

Crypto

Visa launches subscription manager for recurring payments

North American banks can now let cardholders manage recurring charges in-app, as rising subscription use fuels demand for clearer controls.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Fri, 27th Mar 2026

Digital Transformation

New BS ISO 21800 aims to simplify online contracts

New BS ISO 21800 standard aims to cut fine print and make online contracts clearer for consumers across booming UK digital markets.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Mar 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Consumer rights stories

Fintech

New Zealand expands anti-scam measures across sectors

Households and businesses could be spared more fraud losses as banks, telcos and platforms widen checks and scam-blocking codes.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 3 days ago

Customer Experience

Disabled shoppers face widespread barriers, study finds

Widespread access failures are driving disabled shoppers away, with 38% abandoning purchases and most avoiding brands after bad experiences.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month

Data Protection

Facewatch appoints Dean Armstrong KC as Data Chief

The hire comes as live facial recognition in British shops faces mounting scrutiny over privacy, accountability and safeguards for shoppers and staff.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month

Data Protection

The UK's subscription economy crackdown and what this means for tech businesses

Tech firms face refund-system upgrades and tighter cancellation rules as the UK delays its new subscription regime until Spring 2027.

By Tom Gates • 3 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

AI hallucinations 'symptom not disease' in Canada's courts

Canadian courts are treating AI mistakes as a human responsibility, after chatbot errors and false citations have already triggered damages and costs awards.

By Jake MacAndrew • 6 min read • Thu, 23rd Apr 2026