Business Insight

What's Ahead: 2025 Digital Economy in Australia

By Tihana Zuk, Geoff McGrath, Rebecca Cope, Nina Fitzgerald and Robert Todd

13 March 2025

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    What's Ahead: 2025 Digital Economy in Australia

    Digital platforms, online content providers and other businesses active in the digital economy continue to face an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory and legal landscape in Australia.

    2025 will see the AI hype continue, as businesses vie to unlock the full potential of AI, and innovation continues at pace. We expect a moderation of tech regulation strategy and hyperactive reform, as governments strive to strike the right balance between fostering investment, and addressing potential harms. We are also predicting an uptick in tech M&A, continued scrutiny and harms-based action by regulators, and more private litigation.

    To help you stay on top of the key developments, our multi-disciplinary team has created a snapshot of significant emerging themes, incoming reforms, and cases to watch this year. We cover critical areas including:

    • AI
    • Privacy and data
    • Competition and consumer protection
    • Online safety
    • Cyber security
    • Telecommunications and satellite regulations

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    Artificial Intelligence

    Privacy and Data

    Competition and Consumer Protection

    Tech M&A

    Disputes

    Cyber Security

     

    Authors: Tihana Zuk, Partner, Competition; Rebecca Cope, Partner, Digital Economy; Geoff McGrath, Partner, Digital Economy; Nina Fitzgerald, Partner, IP/Media; Robert Todd, Partner, IP/Media; Phillip Aquilina, Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution; Stuart Dullard, Partner, Corporate Transactions; Leon Franklin, Director, Risk Advisory; and Andrew Hilton, Expertise Counsel, Digital Economy.


    This publication is a joint publication from Ashurst Australia and Ashurst Risk Advisory Pty Ltd, which are part of the Ashurst Group.

    The Ashurst Group comprises Ashurst LLP, Ashurst Australia and their respective affiliates (including independent local partnerships, companies or other entities) which are authorised to use the name "Ashurst" or describe themselves as being affiliated with Ashurst. Some members of the Ashurst Group are limited liability entities.

    The services provided by Ashurst Risk Advisory Pty Ltd do not constitute legal services or legal advice, and are not provided by Australian legal practitioners in that capacity. The laws and regulations which govern the provision of legal services in the relevant jurisdiction do not apply to the provision of non-legal services.

    For more information about the Ashurst Group, which Ashurst Group entity operates in a particular country and the services offered, please visit www.ashurst.com

    This material is current as at 13 March 2025 but does not take into account any developments after that date. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to, and does not constitute professional advice. The information provided is general in nature, and does not take into account and is not intended to apply to any specific issues or circumstances. Readers should take independent advice. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Ashurst. While we use reasonable skill and care in the preparation of this material, we accept no liability for use of and reliance upon it by any person.

    The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to.
    Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

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