Tech
Government bans DeepSeek over security fears
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has banned Chinese AI app DeepSeek from all government devices, citing national security risks flagged by intelligence agencies.
As Ronald Mizen and Paul Smith reported in The Australian Financial Review, while the ban applies only to government tech, Burke urged Australians to be mindful of how their data is used online, warning that the government “won’t hesitate to act” when security threats emerge.
DeepSeek made waves last month after claiming to rival ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost – a bold statement that sent Nvidia’s market value tumbling by $US600 billion.
Brands
Estée Lauder to cut up to 7,000 jobs as sales slump deepens
Estée Lauder is set to slash between 5,800 and 7,000 jobs in a major corporate overhaul, as the struggling beauty giant attempts to reignite sales growth under its new CEO.
As Jeannette Neumann reports in The Australian Financial Review, the Clinique and MAC parent has warned of a steeper-than-expected revenue decline, forecasting a 10% to 12% drop for the March quarter – far worse than analysts’ 6.8% estimate.
Citing “evolving global uncertainty,” the company is holding off on a full-year outlook, with earnings per share also set to miss expectations this quarter.
LVMH spirits chief on the shift to ‘drinking less, but better’
For Jonas Tahlin, president of LVMH Moët Hennessy’s spirits brands, the future of drinking isn’t about more, but better.
As Annie Brown reports in The Australian, With premium labels like Glenmorangie, Belvedere Vodka, and Ardbeg in his portfolio, Tahlin sees the shift toward moderation and quality as a natural advantage for high-end spirits.
While economic pressures play a role in declining consumption, Tahlin believes the structural shift toward quality over quantity puts LVMH’s brands in a strong position.
Television
Lattouf challenged ABC’s request to stay silent on social media
Antoinette Lattouf has told the Federal Court she “pushed back” against an ABC manager’s request to avoid posting about Israel-Palestine during her five-day contract in December 2023.
As James Madden reports in The Australian, Lattouf recalled that after her first shift on ABC Radio Sydney, station content director Elizabeth Green advised her: “It would be best if you don’t tweet or post anything about the Israel-Palestine situation while you’re with us.”
Lattouf claimed Green framed it as a precautionary measure, saying, “I wouldn’t give anyone any ammunition for complaints.”
Nine unveils major TV newsroom leadership shake-up
There’s been another top-level shake-up for Nine’s TV news department.
In an email sent out to staff, Nine’s Director of News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, announced the appointments of several key roles saying they “underline the calibre of people we have leading our News and Current Affairs at Nine”.
Among the changes include the appointment of Michael Best to the position of Sydney news director and Hugh Nailon taking over the role of national news director.
Brittany Hockley joins Dancing With the Stars line-up for 2025
Reality star-turned-radio host Brittany Hockley is the latest celebrity to sign on for Season 22 of Dancing With the Stars Australia.
As reported by Kyle Laidlaw in TV Blackbox, Hockley, who first found fame on The Bachelor before stints on Bachelor in Paradise, The Challenge Australia, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, revealed on her KIIS FM show The Pick Up that the offer came after producers spotted a viral clip of her struggling with a wedding dance alongside fiancé Ben.