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This week
IN THE NEWS: One billion attempted scams blocked in a year, Gerard Brody to headline ACCAN’s Consumer Congress & TPG to offload all email services.
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Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP has relayed ACMA data suggesting that over one billion scam phone calls and texts have been blocked in the last year, a measure of success for the Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS industry code introduced in 2022. Given ACCC Scamwatch data that shows A$286 million has been stolen from Australians so far in 2023, there is still much work to be done to combat such scams. [Minister for Communications]
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ACCAN is delighted to announce that Gerard Brody, a career consumer advocate, lawyer, Chair of Consumers’ Federation Australia and member of several regulatory boards, will provide the first keynote address at the 2023 Communications Consumer Congress. His speech will focus on the role of consumer protections in driving fairness and equity. [ACCAN]
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The 2023 Communications Consumer Congress travel grant application date has been extended by one week only. ACCAN regional, remote and interstate members - don't miss out! Be sure to apply by 12pm AEST on August 14th. [ACCAN]
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Research conducted by Omdia has shown a 9.5% decrease in mobile phone shipments compared with the previous 12 month period. Major manufacturers including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi all showed significant (10%+) declines. Researchers indicate higher prices for new models, supply constraints and a reduced appetite for consumer spending are all contributing factors. [Computer Weekly]
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TPG has announced that all customers with existing iiNet, TPG, Internode and Westnet email accounts will have their services handed on to The Messaging Company. TPG will pay the costs of the new email provider until September 2024, at which point charges for accounts will be determined by the new host. [ITWire]
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Vodafone’s first State of Scams (SOS) report has found that more than 82% of Australians have fallen victim to an SMS scam, while 74% have been a victim of a phone scam. Concerningly, 75% of victims don’t lodge a police report about fraud perpetrated on them, and just 41% report scams to the ACCC’s Scamwatch. [National Tribune]
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Andrew Wildblood, CEO of Vocus, has reported high interest from all three levels of government regarding the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services such as Starlink, with which Vocus has commercial agreements. [IT News]
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In welcome news for consumers, the Australian Consumer Law has recently been amended to introduce penalties for businesses that present contracts containing unfair terms. [National Tribune]
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Payment processing company Stripe has announced that tap to pay on iPhone will soon be available in the Australian market. ACCAN welcomes this additional payment option that small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in particular might find suits their needs. [Telco News]
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Congratulations to industry veteran John Boniciolli on his appointment as the new CFO of TPG Telecom. ACCAN wishes outgoing CFO Grant Dempsey all the best for his retirement. [CRN]
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WebNews #622
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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 information contained in or attached to this message is intended only for the people it is addressed to. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this information is unauthorised and prohibited. This information may be confidential or subject to legal privilege. If you receive this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the e-mail and any attachments. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network does not warrant that the information in this e-mail or any attachments are free from any viruses, defects, errors, interception or interference.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network's representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is supported by the Commonwealth through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
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