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This week
IN THE NEWS: New report highlights need for government and industry action on telco affordability, participants needed to investigate targeted advertising on social media, and more.
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Households struggling with the cost of connectivity would benefit from the introduction of new rules that would make it mandatory for telcos to offer a low-income product, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). The recommendation for new regulatory requirements comes as the peak body for communications consumers releases new research which examines the effectiveness of the telecommunication industry’s programs and offers aimed at assisting people on low incomes to stay connected [ACCAN].
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The Australian Ad Observatory project, is an ARC Centre for Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) research initiative that aims to provide accountability and transparency around Facebook’s use of advertising. The project invites Australian Internet users, over the age of 18, to join as citizen scientists by downloading a simple browser plugin to their computer. For more information and to join to project go to https://www.admscentre.org.au/adobservatory/ [ARC Centre for Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society]
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Telstra and the Australian government have finalized a deal to buy and operate the largest telecommunications company in the Pacific, in a move largely seen as an effort to counter China’s influence on the region [ABC].
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The Morrison Government has today announced landmark privacy legislation to protect Australians online and ensure that Australia's privacy laws remain fit for purpose in the digital age. Attorney-General Michaelia Cash today released an exposure draft of the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Online Privacy and Other Measures) Bill 2021, which would enable the creation of a binding Online Privacy code for social media services, data brokers and other large online platforms operating in Australia [Attorney General].
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An investment of $8m in connectivity works is being carried out in East Arnhem Land, to improve services for remote Territorians. The Arnhem Fibre Backhaul Project has been jointly funded by the Territory Labor Government, Telstra and the Commonwealth through its regional connectivity program [NT Government].
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NBN Co will deploy $6 million worth of portable emergency telecommunications infrastructure across Australia in preparation for this year’s disaster season. The portable infrastructure has been partly funded by the federal government’s Strengthening Telecommunication against Natural Disasters package, which has also been used to help fund the NBN Disaster Satellite Service [Technology Decisions].
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Measures introduced at the start of the pandemic to reduce the spread of COVID-19 made parts of society more accessible for people in Australia. But as we emerge, there’s concern that accessibility could be taken away again [SBS].
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The whistleblower who testified to US congress earlier this month that Facebook is putting “profits before people” has urged Australian politicians to regulate the tech giant because it has even less incentive to clean up its act in the smaller market [InnovationAus].
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Ookla have published their Q3 internet performance results for Australia. Aussie broadband dominated the results with a speed score of 88.33, followed by Optus with 59.81. Aussie Broadband and iiNet also had the lowest latency scores [iTWire].
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WebNews #542
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Tel: (02) 9288 4000
Email: media@accan.org.au
Web: accan.org.au
Twitter: @accan_au
Facebook.com/accanau
LinkedIn: accan.org.au/LinkedIn
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Although we take care to direct subscribers to sites with accurate and reliable content, we advise that ACCAN is not responsible for the content within external sites and has no control over the views, services or information contained therein. Information contained on external sites may not necessarily reflect ACCAN's policy, standards or beliefs.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network's representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.
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