Communications

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Consumers should look out for unexpected international transaction fees when buying online from major brands, the ACCC has warned. Even websites with a .com.au domain name or that appear to be Australian based may process transactions overseas, meaning consumers can get charged an international transaction fee even for a purchase made in Australian dollars. The…

Read More Consumers urged to look out for unexpected international transaction fees

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Working from home has specific cyber security risks, including targeted cybercrime. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has tips when working from home. Consumer groups are pushing for stronger cybersecurity responses from governments, internet providers and manufacturers, with clear and actionable guidance for consumers. Standards Australia has joined with AustCyber, industry leaders and the NSW…

Read More Working from home and cybercrime – how safe is my information?

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NBN speeds and performance declined as Australians followed social distancing instructions to stay home due to COVID-19, but picked up following measures by NBN Co and streaming providers. The ACCC today released its first new monthly Measuring Broadband Australia report which tracks NBN network performance from February to April 2020. The report shows a recovery in network…

Read More NBN speeds recover after COVID-19 demand

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The Australian public is attracted by the idea of using technology to assist tracing contacts of people diagnosed with COVID-19. A proximity logging app is proposed. The Australian public, along with scientists and researchers around the world, is also very concerned about gifting future governments the power to impose contact tracing on the populace through…

Read More How to earn public trust before the Contact Tracing App: Australian Privacy Foundation

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NBN Co announced on Friday it will establish a $150 million financial relief and assistance fund to help internet providers to support their residential and small and medium business customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief fund, created following a short industry consultation led by NBN Co, is aimed at helping internet providers connect…

Read More NBN Co creates $150 million COVID-19 relief and assistance package

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Consumer Action Law Centre has released the following statement in response to a report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on fiancial hardhip in the telco industry. A report released this week by ACMA shows that telco providers are not adequately identifying and supporting customers experiencing financial hardship. The ACMA reports shows that…

Read More Telco companies are failing people in financial hardship

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is reminding consumers that there are options available if they are experiencing financial distress and struggling to pay their telco bills. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said that telcos have financial hardship programs available to support Australian consumers facing difficulties. “Telecommunication services are playing a critical role in keeping Australians connected…

Read More Telco financial hardship policies critical during COVID-19

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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise a specific stimulus strategy for telecommunications services to keep Australians connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing social distancing and self-isolation efforts have resulted in millions of Australians increasingly relying on their home broadband service. As Australia’s peak body representing telecommunications consumers,…

Read More Government must act to address broadband affordability as unemployment predicted to rise: ACCAN