By ACSM_Accro
Publication Date: 2025-11-27 03:24:00
New Zealand is facing a new era of digital harm caused by AI abuse, deception and harassment, according to new data released by Netsafe in its 2024-2025 annual review. The organization reports the highest levels of harmful digital communications since the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) was enacted nearly a decade ago – evidence of the law’s increasing inability to respond to rapidly evolving online threats.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Netsafe received 26,105 digital harm reports, including 6,404 HDCA complaints – compared to just 600 in the law’s first year. Online scams also increased, with 14,407 reports and verified losses of almost NZ$12 million, fueled by AI-generated images, deepfake impersonations and real-time manipulation tactics.
The increase was so severe that Netsafe had almost exhausted its entire annual quota of HDCA cases, raising questions about the sustainability of New Zealand’s existing online security framework.
Managing Director Brent…
