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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mind-blowing futuristic technology in China baffling Australians: 'Living in 2050'
People have been blown away by certain aspects of everyday living in China as the superpower embraces technological evolution. Whether it's getting your face scanned by an airport billboard for flight details to having food delivered to you via drone in 15 minutes, there's no shortage of impressive tech available. Chinese influencer Junyuan Zheng recently showed how you're able to pay for items at a 7-Eleven using just your palm. A hand scanner at the store is able to connect to your WeChat account, which is a messaging and social media platform, and the payment is authorised within seconds. QUT consumer expert Gary Mortimer told Yahoo Finance we could soon start to see this in Australia, but he said businesses would have to be upfront about certain aspects of the technology before shoppers would jump on the bandwagon. Major cashless payment warning for Aussies over new tech used by 760 million world-wide Common $358 a day expense the ATO lets you claim on tax without receipts Economist issues dire RBA interest rate hike warning: 'Back in play' "We're already seeing the likes of Woolworths trialling smart carts or scan and go technology, and more recently, 7-Eleven in Melbourne and Sydney are trialling 10 stores with just walk-out technology," he said. "Australian shoppers are willing to adopt the technology if it expedites their transactions. "They were more inclined to trial it with a physical retailer that they could trust someone they can ask questions of first before they started doing it online." The Weixin Palm Scan Payments were first launched in 2023 for Beijing's airport express train line and for students at Shenzhen University. After that, it was rolled out to more than 1,500 7-Eleven stores across China's Guangdong Province. Because WeChat is also a payments app where you can send money to individuals and businesses, all your account information is already uploaded to the platform. To activate the palm technology, you just have to scan your hand on one of the machines and then scan the screen's QR code to register your mobile phone. It's as simple as that. While face scanning has been heralded as another new way to pay for things, Tencent, which owns WeChat, felt hands were more reliable. "For example, it is easier to tell the difference between twins, and easier for people of varying heights and physical abilities to use," it said. But Griffith University senior lecturer in cyber security David Tuffley has pointed out one potential issue with palm payments that could cause Aussies to run in the opposite direction. 'Once your biometric data is in the system, it's there forever. You can't get rid of it and you can't change it like a password,' he said. 'I don't think a lot of Australians would be all that keen to see their biometric data permanently stored somewhere. 'Many Australians would be a little reluctant, as I would be. If I could trust the people who have that information, maybe I'd be OK with it, but I don't know that I can trust them.' It's no secret that China has one of the most advanced facial recognition setups in the world. While some might question how that information is used by authorities, it can help people in certain circumstances. Aussie tourist Jordan Dean discovered this while going through a Chinese airport. In just a few seconds, a small digital billboard was able to scan his face and find exactly which gate he was meant to go for his flight. Presumably, the camera was able to cross reference his face to his passport photo and it was able to find his travel information. "There's a lot of online chatter about surveillance in China," Dean said. "Ultimately, we didn't notice anything different while we were traveling through the country - until we got to the airport. "Literally walking passed this machine and without touching anything it scanned my face, showed all the information about our flight and how to get to our gate. We were so amazed we forgot what we were doing." Australia certainly hasn't deployed facial recognition technology (FRT) like this yet, but there are plenty of places where cameras will watch you, like retail outlets, concert venues, sports stadiums and casinos. However, this is largely to benefit the one operating the technology, rather than for everyday Aussies. Bunnings was found to have breached the privacy of potentially hundreds of thousands of customers by collecting their personal and sensitive information without consent when it scanned people coming into stores dotted around the country. The hardware juggernaut said the technology was used to protect staff from unruly customers. But Monash Professor and chief investigator Mark Andrejevic said FRT is "more widespread than many realise and it's poised to spread rapidly", but admitted Aussies are wary of it. 'People need a better understanding of how, why and where facial recognition systems operate, how their personal data will be processed, used and stored, what kinds of risks they might confront from participating, and what mechanisms hold the technology accountable," he said. Mum blogger Mi Di left people baffled after showing off the drone food delivery technology in China's Shenzhen. There are kiosks dotted all across the city, particularly around high-density apartments. Di showed you could get KFC or Subway by scanning the QR code attached to the kiosk. Once you make the order, the food or drink is prepared and then housed in a box that's carried by a drone. All you have to do is type in your phone number when the drone lands and the food or drink will be in your hands in seconds. The blogger said her delivery came just 15 minutes after she made the order. "This is why I say China is living in 2050," she said in the video. People couldn't believe there was that much convenience in getting food delivered to you. "This is terrifying and exciting all at the same time," wrote one person. "This country worked really hard for where they are today and they deserve every bit of it," added another. Wing Aviation and Swoop Aero are the only drone delivery services that has been approved in Australia and currently operate in several areas of the ACT, Queensland and Victoria. Wing boasts you can "get food, groceries, and essentials in as little as 15 minutes", and the fastest delivery recorded so far was two minutes as 47 seconds. These drones usually require there to be a small space for it to land, otherwise you might not be able to order via drone delivery. 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West Australian
26-05-2025
- West Australian
‘Judicial corruption': Ex-law lecturer accused of posing as Justin Bieber to solicit explicit images makes sensational claim in court
A former law lecturer accused of posing as pop icon Justin Bieber to convince children to send him explicit images over Facebook and Skype has dropped his legal team and bizarrely claimed his case involves 'cover-ups and judicial corruption'. Gordon Douglas Chalmers was scheduled to be arraigned at Brisbane District Court on Monday on more than 200 charges, including child grooming and making child exploitation material. Chalmers, a former lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), instead went on a tangent trying to address the court, claiming there were 'exceptional circumstances' that warranted his matter being treated differently. After a brief adjournment, his legal team returned to the bar table and told Judge Deborah Richards they were withdrawing from the matter due to Mr Chalmers' grant of legal aid being terminated. Mr Chalmers claimed in court that he did not terminate the arrangement before claiming his relationship with his lawyers was not 'absolute'. He then went on a tangent, claiming the matter ended up before Judge Richards because of 'the worst case of judicial corruption' and 'cover-ups' during pre-trial proceedings. Mr Chalmers requested an adjournment so 'a fair and just consideration' could be made on how his matter would proceed. A Legal Aid representative told the court that it would take up to eight weeks for another grant of aid to be assessed. Mr Chalmers continued by claiming barristers would be 'disbarred' if they raised the matters he alleged in court, asserting his matter was considered 'career-destroying' by lawyers. 'They are more concerned about their future job prospects than standing up for not just their clients' rights but also about their duties and obligations to the court,' Mr Chalmers claimed. After Mr Chalmers claimed that Judge Richards had been handed a poisoned chalice, she wryly replied: 'That's OK, I'm used to poisoned chalices. 'So presuming there will be an application, likely a rejection, then possibly an appeal – that will be the process, won't it?' Judge Richards asked the Commonwealth Chalmers' matter was adjourned to July 21 to allow his legal aid grant to be assessed. He was remanded in custody. Mr Chalmers no longer holds a position at QUT, according to the university's website. He has been in custody on remand since 2017 following his arrest. Police allege Mr Chalmers used online platforms including Facebook and Skype to communicate with his victims, allegedly posing as Bieber while contacting children. Mr Chalmers initially faced 900 charges, but the bulk were dropped upon his committal in 2017.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Perth Now
‘Corruption': Alleged Bieber poser's rant
A former law lecturer accused of posing as pop icon Justin Bieber to convince children to send him explicit images over Facebook and Skype has dropped his legal team and bizarrely claimed his case involves 'cover-ups and judicial corruption'. Gordon Douglas Chalmers was scheduled to be arraigned at Brisbane District Court on Monday on more than 200 charges, including child grooming and making child exploitation material. Chalmers, a former lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), instead went on a tangent trying to address the court, claiming there were 'exceptional circumstances' that warranted his matter being treated differently. After a brief adjournment, his legal team returned to the bar table and told Judge Deborah Richards they were withdrawing from the matter due to Mr Chalmers' grant of legal aid being terminated. Former QUT law lecturer Gordon Douglas Chalmers is alleged to have convinced children to send him explicit images over platforms like Skype and Facebook. Supplied Credit: Supplied Mr Chalmers claimed in court that he did not terminate the arrangement before claiming his relationship with his lawyers was not 'absolute'. He then went on a tangent, claiming the matter ended up before Judge Richards because of 'the worst case of judicial corruption' and 'cover-ups' during pre-trial proceedings. Mr Chalmers requested an adjournment so 'a fair and just consideration' could be made on how his matter would proceed. A Legal Aid representative told the court that it would take up to eight weeks for another grant of aid to be assessed. Mr Chalmers continued by claiming barristers would be 'disbarred' if they raised the matters he alleged in court, asserting his matter was considered 'career-destroying' by lawyers. 'They are more concerned about their future job prospects than standing up for not just their clients' rights but also about their duties and obligations to the court,' Mr Chalmers claimed. During his appearance at Brisbane District Court (pictured), Mr Chalmers claimed his matter involved 'judicial corruption' and dropped his legal team. NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia After Mr Chalmers claimed that Judge Richards had been handed a poisoned chalice, she wryly replied: 'That's OK, I'm used to poisoned chalices. 'So presuming there will be an application, likely a rejection, then possibly an appeal – that will be the process, won't it?' Judge Richards asked the Commonwealth Chalmers' matter was adjourned to July 21 to allow his legal aid grant to be assessed. He was remanded in custody. Mr Chalmers no longer holds a position at QUT, according to the university's website. He has been in custody on remand since 2017 following his arrest. Police allege Mr Chalmers used online platforms including Facebook and Skype to communicate with his victims, allegedly posing as Bieber while contacting children. Mr Chalmers initially faced 900 charges, but the bulk were dropped upon his committal in 2017.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Judicial corruption': Ex-law lecturer accused of posing as Justin Bieber to solicit explicit images makes sensational claim in court
A former law lecturer accused of posing as pop icon Justin Bieber to convince children to send him explicit images over Facebook and Skype has dropped his legal team and bizarrely claimed his case involves 'cover-ups and judicial corruption'. Gordon Douglas Chalmers was scheduled to be arraigned at Brisbane District Court on Monday on more than 200 charges, including child grooming and making child exploitation material. Chalmers, a former lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), instead went on a tangent trying to address the court, claiming there were 'exceptional circumstances' that warranted his matter being treated differently. After a brief adjournment, his legal team returned to the bar table and told Judge Deborah Richards they were withdrawing from the matter due to Mr Chalmers' grant of legal aid being terminated. Mr Chalmers claimed in court that he did not terminate the arrangement before claiming his relationship with his lawyers was not 'absolute'. He then went on a tangent, claiming the matter ended up before Judge Richards because of 'the worst case of judicial corruption' and 'cover-ups' during pre-trial proceedings. Mr Chalmers requested an adjournment so 'a fair and just consideration' could be made on how his matter would proceed. A Legal Aid representative told the court that it would take up to eight weeks for another grant of aid to be assessed. Mr Chalmers continued by claiming barristers would be 'disbarred' if they raised the matters he alleged in court, asserting his matter was considered 'career-destroying' by lawyers. 'They are more concerned about their future job prospects than standing up for not just their clients' rights but also about their duties and obligations to the court,' Mr Chalmers claimed. After Mr Chalmers claimed that Judge Richards had been handed a poisoned chalice, she wryly replied: 'That's OK, I'm used to poisoned chalices. 'So presuming there will be an application, likely a rejection, then possibly an appeal – that will be the process, won't it?' Judge Richards asked the Commonwealth prosecutor. Mr Chalmers' matter was adjourned to July 21 to allow his legal aid grant to be assessed. He was remanded in custody. Mr Chalmers no longer holds a position at QUT, according to the university's website. He has been in custody on remand since 2017 following his arrest. Police allege Mr Chalmers used online platforms including Facebook and Skype to communicate with his victims, allegedly posing as Bieber while contacting children. Mr Chalmers initially faced 900 charges, but the bulk were dropped upon his committal in 2017.
ABC News
25-05-2025
- ABC News
Antarctic tourist numbers could reach almost half a million by 2033, forecast shows
Icebergs, penguins and almost half a million annual tourists — that's the potential scenario facing Antarctica next decade, according to new research. The southern continent might be cold, remote and expensive to reach, but it's increasingly viewed as a bucket list destination. Over the past few decades, tourist numbers have grown rapidly, from about 8,000 in the mid-1990s to almost 125,000 in 2023-24. A new report published in the Journal for Sustainable Tourism suggests the boom is set to continue, with annual visitor numbers forecast to reach 452,000 by 2033-34. The projection was calculated using a mathematical model based on three decades of historical visitation data. If the forecast proves correct, it would equate to an almost four-fold increase on current levels, prompting calls for consideration of measures such as visitor caps and tourism taxes to mitigate potential environmental impacts. "This is the best estimate we currently have," lead author Dr Valeria Senigaglia, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), said. Most of the tourism activity is concentrated on the coastal fringe of the Antarctic Peninsula, due to its proximity to the southern tip of Argentina, where many of the cruise ships depart. Once tourists reach Antarctica, they can participate in a range of activities, including small boat landings, kayaking, polar plunges, snorkelling, helicopter rides and overnight camping. But the influx of people and vessels comes with potential risks to the local environment, including: "A core concern is that the cumulative impacts of tourism … will interact with climate-change-induced shifts … resulting in widespread habitat degradation and declines in wildlife populations and diversity," the report states. During the 2023-24 season, 55 tour companies conducted 569 voyages to Antarctica, with about two thirds of passengers on smaller expedition-style vessels that allow landfall. Most tour companies that go to the region are part of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), which requires its members to abide by strict guidelines, including: Tourist activities in Antarctica are also subject to environmental impact assessments under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. "Travel, when managed well, is a powerful force for good," said Steve McLaughlin from IAATO member Aurora Expeditions. "Our idea is to make ambassadors for the planet." The new report — compiled by researchers from QUT, UTAS, CSIRO and two international universities — assessed additional measures that could complement existing guidelines and regulations. "Our primary goal is to identify practical ways to manage for the potential impacts of this rapidly growing and diversifying Antarctic tourism industry before reaching a tipping point of irreparable change," the report states. The researchers determined that a "suite of instruments" would be the best way to slow growth and limit potential impacts, including: "To manage tourism sustainably, we need to operate at a different level," Dr Senigaglia said. "We need regulations and site-specific guidelines, but these cannot be the only method. "And applying more global instruments might help in preserving not just biodiversity but the ecosystem services provided by Antarctica." However, implementing the recommendations could prove challenging, with the report acknowledging the difficulty of getting Antarctic Treaty nations to reach consensus. IAATO told the ABC it was committed to sustainable tourism. "We're driven by people who are extremely passionate about Antarctica and about protecting Antarctica," the organisation's executive director, Lisa Kelley, said. Ms Kelley said the report's forecast of exponential growth over the next decade should be viewed with caution, particularly because of unforeseen changes in the global economy. "Growth is very much tied to the [global] economy," Ms Kelley said. She said IAATO's most recent figures, which are yet to be published and were not included in the report, showed a 5 per cent downturn in visitor numbers over the 2024-25 season. Visitor numbers were expected to again dip slightly next season, Ms Kelley said. She said it was up to Antarctic Treaty nations to decide the best way to regulate the tourism industry. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), which represents international non-government conservation organisations, said if tourist numbers kept rising, industry guidelines and self-regulation would not be sufficient. "If you're not regulating one of the major human activities that is growing fairly rapidly, then you are not really protecting the Antarctic environment," ASOC executive director Claire Christian said. The future management of tourism will be discussed at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Italy next month.
