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Here is your chance to have your say about the My Health Record system – submissions invited on the Parliamentary inquiry into the expected benefits of the system and other issues, read more here. Individuals and organisations are invited to send in their opinions and proposals in writing (submissions) Preparing a submission to an inquiry. Submissions sought by 14 September…
Read More My Health Record – submissions invited
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Peak communications consumer group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has released a report, called Can You Hear Me?, on the customer service provided by 10 telco providers. Major findings are that consumers are unimpressed by the amount of time they spend getting a resolution to a telco issue. It takes an average of 13…
Read More Disappointing Report Card on Telco Customer Service
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A final set of new rules requiring telcos to help their customers move smoothly to the National Broadband Network (NBN) was released today by the ACMA. ‘These new rules will give consumers greater confidence that their telco will make sure their new NBN service will work as expected and provide options if their connection doesn’t…
Read More ACMA finalises new telco rules for NBN migration
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A new report highlighting the issue of phone number loss when migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN) is recommending greater action by phone companies – including better communication with consumers and small businesses. Residential consumers and small businesses generally expect to retain their existing phone numbers when moving between providers or to the NBN.…
Read More Telephone number loss an issue for consumers and small business
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New research published today by Consumers International‘s member the Norwegian Consumer Council suggests that leading tech companies are making difficult for consumers to opt out of sharing their personal data using a variety of design techniques and default settings. Despite the introduction of the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came in to force in…
Read More New research suggests leading tech companies are making it difficult for users to opt of out sharing personal data
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The Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee has recently conducted a review of customer owned banking institutions’ compliance with privacy obligations under Section D23 and Key Promise 8 of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (the Code). A copy of the report can be found at here. Privacy own motion inquiry As Australia moves…
Read More Privacy and data security in customer owned banking institutions
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) invites applications from consumer organisations to join its key telco consumer advisory group—the Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF). ‘Communications services are increasingly central to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing. We want to better understand the consumers’ needs in the contemporary and future communications environment’ ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin. The…
Read More ACMA invites consumer reps to join key telco forum
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NBN Co has recently announced changes to wholesale prices charged to retail service providers (RSPs) from October 2018. These changes mean consumers can expect to pay higher prices to access NBN services. At the same time consumers can expect to have an improved experience as congestion in the network is addressed through greater dedication of…
Read More ACCAN’s Analysis of NBN Co’s recently announced Pricing Changes
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Telco consumers can expect a better complaints-handling experience under a new industry standard and record-keeping rules announced today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This is the first tranche of new rules announced by the ACMA in December 2017 to improve consumers’ experience in migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN). The ACMA’s actions follow its industry information-gathering exercise and its…
Read More ACMA rules kick in on telco complaints
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Many Internet connected children’s products have weak security as well as invasive data collection and privacy features. There is currently no effective regulation of these products, and little consumer understanding of how they function or their faults. Read more on the Consumers International website here and the video Huggybug Your Family Today’: Don’t play around with children’s online…
Read More Don’t play around with children’s online safety
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The Internet of Things (IoT) is the rapidly expanding network of devices, physical objects, services and applications that communicate over the internet. Connected devices number in the billions today, and they transmit data without device owners knowing when or how that happens. This is a big issue for consumers as identified in the latest Economist Intelligence Unit…
Read More Internet of things: privacy and consumers
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ACCAN is alarmed that complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) have increased by 28.7 percent in the six months to December 2017, compared to the same time the previous year. The peak Australian telecommunications consumer body says the TIO’s latest statistics reinforce the need for urgent industry action to put customers first. “Continuing high numbers of complaints shine a…
Read More Continuing rise in telco complaints shows need for urgent reforms