Mentioned in today’s edition: Ticketmaster, deepfakes, Spotify, Elon Musk, Bluesky, Chegg and Analogue TV Simulator. Plus, deals on Garmin watches, Logitech mice and Nothing phones.

The News

More Australians are losing less money to more scams with the help of AI

AI is "supercharging" scammers who are claiming more Australian victims — but those victims are losing less money (NASC). Australia's anti-scam body, the National Anti-Scam Centre, says there's an 11% drop in the median scam loss but the total loss amount grew to $2.18 billion in 2025. The financial watchdog, ASIC, said that AI has let scammers produce highly convincing websites, video and audio that are being used to trick people (ABC News). In response, they've increased the number of scam websites taken down by 90% — but to a total of just under 12,000, which feels like a drop in the ocean.  

The Sizzle: Scams aren't a sexy tech topic but I think they’re a major reason why people feel negatively towards tech right now. For many people — particularly the elderly and First Nations people, who are both mentioned in the NASC report as being disproportionately affected by scams — using your phone or your computer is accompanied by the constant fear that one wrong click will let someone drain your bank accounts or steal your identity. I even reckon it contributes to a broader, cultural feeling of suspicion towards others. As an FYI, Australia did get a new “scam prevention framework” that will create new requirements for industries like banks, telcos, etc, but the government hasn’t put it into effect, yet.

Interestingly, that $2.18 billion in losses is significantly down from the 2022 peak of $3.1 billion. I credit that to banks and, to a lesser extent, telcos who’ve seriously stepped up anti-scam efforts in the past few years. That lower overall loss amount suggests that the bigger ones are being caught by banks (ringing to ask “hey Granny did you really mean to let someone called da_scam_lord buy $700,000 of $POOPCOIN on your behalf?” but, thankfully for scammers, AI is letting them work faster and cheaper. Another delightful benefit of the technology ;)

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Ticketmaster's shitty website is also a 'harmful monopoly', US court says

Ticketmaster is a harmful monopoly that is raising the cost of concert ticket prices, a US court has found (ABC News). Its parent company, Live Nation, was accused of using its ownership of hundreds of major venues to force musicians and sports teams to use its shitty and expensive online ticketing platforms or face being blackballed. While the court hasn't yet handed down penalties, they're expected to be somewhat muted because of the Trump administration's decision to settle its claims against Live Nation mid-trial, leading to the company agreeing to let some of its venues use competing ticketing platforms (CNN)

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

First person charged for deepfake crime pleads guilty as project makes a global map of school cases

19-year-old William Yeates pleaded guilty in an Adelaide court this week and faces up to 7 years behind bars (ABC News). Meanwhile, old friend of the Sizzle and international online investigation expert Craig Silverman's publication Indicator is assembling a map showing all the times that deepfake abuse has happened at schools around the world — including at least 5 cases in Australia. Sick stuff. 

Related reading: Deepfake nonconsensual porn apps are advertising in the App Store (Apple Insider) 

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Leftovers

Australia:

Rest of World:

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Oh, Also

Now THIS is commitment to getting that authentic CRT look

Sizzler Quigly dropped this in the Slack: Analogue TV Simulator is an extremely cool app that does what it says on the tin, but in a very impressive way. A Redditor built the app to emulate the physics of CRT graphics on different inputs to create a very legit looking reproduction of the aesthetic. It costs literally pocket change to buy the app on iOS but you can get the macOS version for free. I recommend giving it a whirl, very impressive.

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Bargains

Electronics

Computing

Mobile

The End

😎 The Sizzle is written by Cam Wilson every weekday. It was created by Anthony “decryption” Agius.

🤖 We love robots at the Sizzle but this newsletter has always been and will always be written by humans for humans. Also by Aussies for Aussies — so all prices are in dollarydoos.

🗣️ Have any feedback, a tip or want to chat? Send me an email or Signal message. I promise to reply!

💬 Want to hang out with other Sizzlers? There’s a subscriber-only Slack and forum if you want to procrastinate and chat about tech-related news.

🌐 The Sizzle is on Bluesky, Mastodon and LinkedIn if you’re feeling social.

💳 Are you a paid subscriber looking to manage your billing info, change email address or cancel your subscription? Visit the Beehiiv customer portal.

🎁 Make someone's day and gift them a 12 month gift subscription to The Sizzle.

🦺 The Sizzle has been tested to meet and exceed ISO 3533 standards.

Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

The Sizzle is created on Gadigal land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders past and present.