Disinformation and misinformation are not new trends; digital content that is verifiably false, misleading, or deceptive has been around for almost as long as the internet has existed. However, over the last few years, we’ve seen growing awareness about the harms that disinformation and misinformation can cause to individuals and to trust in our systems.
After the ACCC’s Digital Platform Inquiry report was handed down in December 2019, the Australian Government asked digital platforms to develop a voluntary code of practice to help to address disinformation and misinformation.
In February 2021, DIGI, the non-profit industry association advocating for the digital industry in Australia, released The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation. Digital platforms that sign up to this Code agree to abide by a set of rules, including publishing and implementing policies on misinformation and disinformation, providing users with a way to report content against those policies, and implementing a range of measures to reduce the spread and visibility of mis- and disinformation. They must also produce annual transparency reports about these efforts.
Read more: Disinformation and Misinformation on Digital Platforms
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Mobile devices - South Australia
Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, welcomes today’s joint announcement from major telcos Telstra and Optus that the shutdown of 3G networks will be delayed until 28 October.
ACCAN yesterday called on the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland to delay the shutdown due to health and safety concerns particularly with the ongoing access to triple zero services and medical and safety devices.
ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regarding the proposed Telecommunications (Customer Communications for Outages) Industry Standard 2024 (the standard). ACCAN welcomes the development of an industry standard for communications, having called for stronger action in this field following the Optus Outage on 8 November 2023.
ACCAN's fine print project into misleading or unfair terms in telco consumer contracts was undertaken by researcher Dr Jeannie Paterson, a consumer law expert from Melbourne Law School. Dr Paterson examined the contracts for 42 products across ten providers.
Summary of ACCAN's activities from 1 December 2014 to 28 February 2015.
Hutt St Centre
Grant round: 2017-18
Amount: $5,000
ACCAN 2022 CommsDay Congress Speech
Andrew Williams – Acting CEO
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Good morning,
Before I begin today, I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Peoples of the Kulin Nation. I also pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
For those who don’t know me I’ve been with the organisation for just under three years now, initially as Director of Operations and Deputy CEO role, and moved into this role when Teresa Corbin departed last October.
After more than two years of zoom and teams meetings it’s great to be here in person and see some familiar faces in 3D for the first time.
My ACCAN journey has provided a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the myriad issues in this space and I’m committed to our ongoing mission of ensuring that communications services are trusted, inclusive, and available for all.
As many of you are no doubt aware, for many years ACCAN has represented consumers on a wide range of issues which are encapsulated in our priorities:
- Increased reliability
- Improved accessibility
- A fairer telco market
- Affordable telecommunications
- Better infrastructure
- Growing consumer confidence
Read more: ACCAN 2022 CommsDay Congress Speech
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Mobile devices - Northern Territory
Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, is calling on the Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to exercise her discretionary powers and delay the 3G shutdown due to unacceptable public safety concerns.
The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee last week released an Interim Report into the shutdown of 3G networks. It found that up to 77,000 mobile phone users would be unable to call triple zero emergency services when the nation’s 3G networks were switched off.
ACCAN recently commented on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ proposals paper for introducing mandatory guardrails for AI in high-risk settings (the paper).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving and broad technology that, with the right regulatory settings, can provide material benefits for consumers. AI can offer tailored services for consumers and potentially drive efficiencies in business, lowering the cost for consumers. However, as the paper notes, AI also carries risks of consumer harm through discrimination and data breaches.
Read more: Proposals Paper for Introducing Mandatory Guardrails for AI in High-Risk Settings