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This week
IN THE NEWS: 2nd Annual Sue Salthouse Memorial Lecture, New rules to help block SMS scams, and more
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is delighted to invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Sue Salthouse Memorial Lecture. This event honours Sue Salthouse and celebrates Sue’s unfailing commitment to Disability advocacy and Human Rights. The online event will take place from 4:00 pm on Thursday 1st December 2022. Robin Wilkinson will be the keynote speaker for the event. Robin has an extensive background in disability and consumer telecommunications advocacy. [ACCAN website]
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Nearly 48 million scam texts have been blocked since new rules were introduced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in July this year to combat the growing scourge of scams. The new rules – which require telcos to identify, trace and block SMS scams – were developed in response to evidence that SMS scams are increasing in prevalence and impact. [Minister for Communications media release]
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The .au Domain Administration’s (auDA) Digital Lives of Australians 2022 research report, released last week, highlights that 98 per cent of Australians see the internet as a valuable asset in their everyday lives. The research is informed by a survey of 1,500 Australian consumers and nearly 400 small businesses. It identifies opportunities to help Australians overcome digital challenges and better harness the benefits of the internet. [auda media release]
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The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s (TIO) Quarter One Complaints Report shows between July and September 2022, residential consumers and small businesses made 16,310 complaints, a decrease of 8.6 per cent compared to the previous quarter, and a decrease of 23.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Enquiries to the TIO increased 9.1 per cent compared to last quarter. [TIO media release]
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The NSW Government has poured a $2.6 million investment to deliver internet connection that will benefit residents and businesses in and around Cobar, Narromine, Nyngan, Trangie, and Warren. The investment will see more than 800 homes and businesses using satellite internet upgrade to a faster NBN fixed wireless connection as part of the NSW Government’s $100 million Gig State project, stated Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole. [iTWire]
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Big tech is still slugging Australian consumers with competitive behaviours that have been banned in the US and EU, consumer advocates say. “Amazon in the European Union had been using dark pattern manipulative web design to keep subscribers as long as they possibly can,” said Erin Turner, advocate with the Consumer Policy Research Centre. [The New Daily]
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Uniting Country SA (UCSA) has a long history of supporting regional South Australians with their mobile and internet needs and issues. Join us to learn about the basics of choosing a suitable plan and device, but also what to do if you or a client is stuck in an unaffordable contract. UCSA will share with us many client success stories, tips and work practices on how the team has negotiated with telcos to get the best telecommunication and financial outcome for the clients. [Uniting Care Wesley Bowden website]
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Join us for a moderated conversation with WorkVentures, Good Things Foundation Australia, and Kingfisher about ways to tackle device affordability. WorkVentures will share reflections on what different cohorts need; Good Things Foundation will provide an insight into the activities of their UK counterpart in coordinating and distributing devices; and Kingfisher will provide a commercial resale perspective. [Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance]
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Navigating domain registration processes can be tricky. Small business owners and employees need to be equipped with the right knowledge and resources to stay up to speed with emerging cybersecurity trends. Our simple guides aim to help small business owners protect their business, personal information, and private information like credit card details that are shared with them by customers. For ACCAN’s ‘Your Small Business Guide’ tip sheets, visit our Talking Telco page. [ACCAN]
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ACCAN’s Grants Round for 2023 is scheduled to open in January, with funded projects to begin from July. ACCAN encourages anyone interested in applying to discuss their project ideas with the Grants Team. For more information about our grants scheme, or how grants applications are assessed, visit our website. [ACCAN]
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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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