Communications Archives - Page 9 of 40 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

3 August , 2023

Consumers International Digital Update: Cyber Trust Mark and Personalised Pricing

This month Consumers International’s (CI) update on the digital world covered some interesting developments and research in the consumer world including CHOICE’s recent article on facial recognition technology (FRT) used in half of Australia’s stadiums (found here), and the recent Members Connect series on building consumer trust in generative AI, whose panel included ETDA Thailand and the BEUC.

But perhaps the most exciting updates were the ones from the United States of America and the European Union.

1 August , 2023

Meta Companies Penalised $20m for Onavo Protect VPN’s Misleading Claims

Virtual Private Networks or VPNs are a method by which people can more securely use and access public internet connections, reduce some communication costs, and bypass internet censorship. The privacy and protection of personal information is an important selling point of VPNs and one that was used to sell Onavo Protect in the Google and…

12 July , 2023

Call for Digital Trade Standards Mentors

As part of the ASEAN-Australia Digital Trade Standards (DTS) Initiative, Standards Australia has launched the 2023 Fellowship Program. The program is designed to connect emerging professionals with leading experts in standardisation and digital trade across Australia and ASEAN.
Participation in the 2023 ASEAN-DTS Fellowship Program provides a valuable opportunity for both established and emerging professionals to meet, network, and collaborate with others in the field.

11 July , 2023

Facial Recognition Technology in Use at Major Australian Stadiums

Almost exactly a year after their article on Kmart, Bunnings, and the Good Guys’ use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in stores across Australia, CHOICE has released another article on the use of FRTs in a number of major stadiums across Australia.

10 July , 2023

ACCC Inquiry Invites Views on Data Broker Industry

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is calling on consumers, businesses and interested stakeholders to provide submissions about data broker services in Australia, as part of its five-year digital platform services inquiry.

7 July , 2023

Direct Regulation for Financial Hardship – ACMA Puts Telco Industry on Notice

The ACMA and consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the move by the Federal Government to empower the regulator to make and enforce financial hardship standards.

30 June , 2023

ACMA Names Consumer Protections a Priority for 2023-24

Minimising gambling harm, combating SMS scams, tackling online supply of dodgy devices and enforcing spam unsubscribe rules have been identified as some of the key compliance priorities for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in 2023–24.

30 June , 2023

ACCAN Awards Seven New Communications Consumer Grants

Australia’s peak communications consumer advocacy group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has today announced 7 projects that it will fund through the 2023 Round of its Independent Grants Program.

27 June , 2023

“Current rules no longer fit for purpose”: TIO Calls for New Rules to Better Protect Consumers

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released the report ‘A time for change – Three years of systemic investigations in review’, calling for improved consumer protections through stronger regulation in the telco sector, and the establishment of a registration scheme for telcos.

7 June , 2023

SMS and Bank Impersonation Fraud – What you need to know to avoid being scammed

Fraudsters are impersonating banks over SMS and phone calls, creating elaborate scams that are difficult to spot

Vulnerabilities in SMS and phone networks currently allow the scams to flourish, but experts say a new registry will help close these loopholes

In the meantime, consumers are urged to watch out for messages and calls from their bank urgently asking them to transfer money

5 June , 2023

ACCC Inquiry into Telco Regulation Begins

From the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) media release (31/05/2023): The ACCC has today commenced a combined public inquiry into whether nine wholesale telecommunications services that support the provision of broadband, voice and data transmission services should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are…

2 June , 2023

Consultation Opens on Artificial Intelligence

AI is a rapidly growing area and increasingly relevant to our everyday lives – both positively and negatively. The Australian Federal Government has now opened consultation on the safe and responsible use of AI.