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Many organisations are building very large collections of information about their consumers — shopping habits, locations, web browsing history, telephone and energy usage, traffic, weather, stock market information, and so on. "Big data" refers to these large collections of data.

The Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) has requested comment on two possible timeframes to implement closed captions on free-to-air multichannels once analogue TV is switched off at the end of 2013.

In ACCAN's submission to the latest NBN Joint Parliamentary Committee hearings, we outline ACCAN's engagement with NBN Co to date and challenges that may arise around the NBN rollout.

ACCAN has made a submission in support of a data breach notification law in response to a consultation by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. A mandatory data breach notification law would provide greater information to consumers about the security of their personal information, and provide an incentive for organisations to improve their security practices.

This submission is ACCAN's response to a review of the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND) conducted by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

ACCAN represents consumer interests on the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) Closed-Caption Committee, which has provided advice on developing a standard for quality closed captions on Australian television. 

ACCAN applauds the Australian Government for its recognition of the importance closed captions play in providing meaningful access to television for many Australian consumers. 

ACCAN has made a submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs' inquiry into the Privacy Amendment (Privacy Alerts) Bill 2013 that was recently introduced into Parliament. The Bill would introduce a "mandatory data breach notification" requirement on organisations to alert the Privacy Commissioner and affected consumers when their customers' personal information is lost or exposed. This would potentially allow consumers to take action, such as cancelling a credit card, before any of their leaked information causes serious harm.

Many apps improve our life – we can get directions in a strange city, play Scrabble with friends on another continent or access app-exclusive content for our favourite magazine. Still, consumers need better information about how apps use personal information or structure in-app purchases. 

Cyber-bullying has become a concern in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and was raised during ACCAN's Indigenous consultation workshop in Alice Springs earlier this year. The widespread take-up of the smartphone has contributed significantly to the increase in cyber-bullying and means for victims it can be somewhat inescapable.

There is a wide gap between the pricing of certain IT products sold in Australia and identical products sold in other markets. This submission focuses on how these price differences have an impact on basic consumer protections, small businesses and people with disability.

The communications regulator has released a Directions Paper explaining how numbers could be used in the future. Little consideration has been given to how consumers will be affected, ignoring the important role numbering policy has to play in achieving availability, accessible and affordable services that enhances the welfare of all Australians.

ACCAN comments on the NBN Co Special Access Undertaking (SAU) that creates part of the regulatory framework for service providers' access to the National Broadband Network.

ACCAN has made a number of recommendations for changes to Communication Alliance's draft Emergency Call Service Requirements Code.

This submission concerns the Exposure Draft amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act (1992), which will provide greater access to our foremost medium for news, information and entertainment.

ACCAN has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission arguing that copyright law needs to be made fairer and easier for consumers to understand.

In this submission ACCAN  provides comment on the system that accredits and regulates domain name registrars and resellers in Australia. 

The capacity of communication networks and emergency warning systems to deal with emergencies and natural disasters

Friday, 15 April 2011
The tragedy of the recent Queensland floods has provided insight into the state of Australia's emergency services. The disaster has particularly highlighted the shortcomings of the emergency service and warning systems framework for Australians with disability.

Payphones are an important public resource and it is vital that the community can rely on clear and fair guidelines for removal or location decisions. The guidelines proposed by the ACMA do not capture all community concerns and are unfairly weighted to commercial considerations. 

In this submission by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, ACCAN comments on two specific issues that may have a direct impact on affordable and accessible telecommunications services.

The Regional Telecommunications Review is an independent review that takes place every three years to consider whether people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia have equitable access to telecommunications.

 

This submission about the Digital Hubs Draft Program Guidelines was made to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).

The primary focus of this submission is based on the interests of subscription television viewers with disability.

ACCAN has made a submission to the ACCC consultation on the NBN Co-Optus agreement. We argue that marketing restrictions in the agreement are undesirable and that existing laws against misleading and deceptive conduct are sufficient.

ACCAN has provided its comment in response to the Communication Alliance's release of the Draft Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code.