You Won't Believe the 12 Shocking Tech Stories That Will Change Your Life in 2025!

As we wrap up another year in technology, Information Age has compiled its list of the most popular stories that captivated readers in 2025. The year was marked by significant developments ranging from data breaches to job cuts in the tech sector, revealing a landscape that is increasingly complex and interwoven with global dynamics.

Here’s a look at the twelve top stories that defined technology in 2025:

Information Age’s 12 Top Stories of 2025:

12. Australians' Banking Passwords Stolen by Malware
In April, a cybersecurity firm in Australia reported that hackers had compromised at least 30,000 banking passwords between 2021 and 2025 using infostealer malware. This incident coincided with a significant increase in malware-driven data breaches in the Asia-Pacific region, as noted by American telecommunications giant Verizon.

11. Tech Workers Face Job Cuts at ANZ, NAB, Bendigo Bank
In early September, three major Australian banks—ANZ, NAB, and Bendigo Bank—announced major restructuring efforts that would impact their technology divisions. Notably, ANZ emphasized that the layoffs were “nothing to do with AI,” while NAB indicated that some roles would be relocated overseas. Bendigo Bank faced backlash over the insufficient notice given to the 145 workers affected.

10. Telstra, Infosys Deal Cedes Control of 650 Australian Workers
In August, Australia's largest telecommunications company, Telstra, announced a joint venture with IT consultant Infosys. This partnership granted Infosys a controlling 75 percent stake in Telstra’s Versent Group, raising concerns regarding the potential outsourcing of hundreds of IT jobs overseas while reinforcing Telstra's focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

9. ‘Shameful’ CBA Hiring Indian ICT Workers After Firing Australians
The Finance Sector Union (FSU) condemned the Commonwealth Bank in July for posting job advertisements for software engineering positions in India shortly after making similar roles redundant in Australia. A union representative criticized this decision, calling it a breach of the Enterprise Agreement.

8. Australians to Face Age Checks from Search Engines
In June, Australia's eSafety Commissioner introduced an online safety code requiring search engines operating in Australia to verify the ages of logged-in users by mid-2026. While logged-out users are exempt from age assurance measures, explicit images will still be blurred.

7. Centrelink Trials AI to Detect Fraud, Prioritize Debts
Early in the year, Services Australia reported that AI models trialed in 2024 had yet to be integrated into regular processes. Advocacy groups urged the agency to disclose audits regarding the systems’ accuracy and potential biases. The agency had been testing AI to identify fraudulent welfare claims and optimize debt recovery efforts.

6. Software Developer Accidentally Leaks Australian Government Documents
This unfortunate incident drew attention when Australia’s privacy commissioner confirmed that a third-party software developer mistakenly made private government documents public. The commissioner noted that outsourcing IT work to third parties contributed to an increase in Notifiable Data Breaches.

5. Westpac Stands Firm on Office Mandate After WFH Ruling
In October, the Fair Work Commission ordered Westpac to allow an employee to work from home permanently. Despite this, Westpac maintained its return-to-office policy, asserting that it strikes the right balance. The Finance Sector Union criticized the bank, suggesting that its rigid policy may have led to its loss in a landmark decision.

4. Origin Energy Confirms Data Breach Involving Credit Cards
In October, Origin Energy disclosed that an employee had allegedly stolen payment details from over 700 customers. Following the employee's termination in July, the company initiated an internal investigation but could not guarantee the safety of the stolen payment details, which were reportedly encrypted.

3. Aussies Push Back Against Microsoft 365 Price Hikes
Microsoft faced backlash from Australian subscribers of its Microsoft 365 software bundles after increasing prices alongside new AI features. Many users realized they could maintain their cheaper plans only if they attempted to cancel their subscriptions. This led to an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and a lawsuit filed in October. Microsoft later acknowledged their missteps and agreed to refund affected customers.

2. Apple Raises iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max Prices in Australia
During its annual September event, Apple announced a price increase for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models in Australia, with the new prices surpassing those in the U.S. The company also introduced the long-anticipated iPhone Air, which, despite being priced higher than the base iPhone 17, offered fewer features.

1. The Company Whose ‘AI’ Was Actually 700 Humans in India
The most-read story of the year highlighted a UK-based company's app-building 'AI' chatbot, Natasha, which was revealed to be operated by a team of 700 human developers in India. This incident sparked discussions about “AI-washing” and raised questions about the authenticity and transparency of AI technologies.

These stories reflect a year of significant transformation within the technology sector. As we enter 2026, the implications of these trends will likely shape the future of technology, work, and consumer rights across the globe.