[LINK] ACCAN: 'ACMA rejects ‘deficient' protections code – for now'

[Narelle Clark]

I will be very surprised if privacy advocates will be happy with what ACCAN
has been campaigning for with respect to the TCP Code.

For example, new customers would have to undergo a full credit check for
debts >$150.

The version the drafting committee settled on came down to $300 from  the
existing $1000.

Credit checks are highly invasive procedures and frankly $300 is very low
already.


Narelle
narellec at gmail.com

On Fri, 24 Oct 2025, 9:58 pm Roger Clarke, <Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au>
wrote:

>
> ACMA rejects ‘deficient' protections code – for now
> Message from the CEO of ACCAN
> 24 October 2025
>
> https://www.accan.org.au/accan-s-media-releases/acma-rejects-deficient-protections-code-for-now
>
> In major news this morning, sector regulator the Australian
> Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that it is
> rejecting the draft Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code
> and instead providing the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA)
> with a minimum 30-day response period to address weaknesses in the Code.
>
> Simply put, this is an excellent step forward for Australian
> communications consumers, who have for too long had ‘protections’
> provided through a self-regulated Code which has abjectly failed to
> provide appropriate community safeguards.
>
> ACCAN has led the Fair Call Coalition since March 2025, when it became
> apparent that the draft Code developed by the ATA, after many rounds of
> feedback, would fail to meet appropriate community safeguards. We joined
> 22 other consumer groups who have backed this call which has been
> championed by the Consumer Action Law Centre.
>
> In a statement this morning, I said that this decision opens the door to
> advancing stronger consumer protections through direct regulation by the
> ACMA or the Minister for Communications, once industry has had the
> opportunity to respond to notice of deficiency. We and the Fair Call
> Coalition will have more to say on this matter in coming days and weeks.
>
> Also this week, Australians learned that tens of thousands of people may
> be unable to reach Triple Zero if their mobile network goes down. The
> issue is linked to a ‘camp-on’ fault affecting customers that use older
> Samsung devices, which fail to connect to the TPG network to access
> Triple Zero when it is the only available network. While some pre-2021
> Samsung phones will need to be updated to the latest software, some
> older devices must be replaced.
>
> As I told 10 News, ABC News Breakfast and ABC Radio, and ABC consumer
> affairs reporter Michael Atkin, who has been providing excellent
> coverage of this evolving story, we need a systemic, technical and
> independent review of the Triple Zero ecosystem.
>
> ACCAN is keen to stress that consumers who have been contacted by their
> provider about updating or replacing their phone, should act immediately
> to ensure they can reach Triple Zero in an emergency. Financial help is
> available - ask your telco about hardship and payment assistance options.
>
> ACCAN has also released a position paper on the renewal of expiring
> spectrum licences. Spectrum is a valuable public asset, and its
> allocation must deliver benefits to the public. We are calling for
> competitive auctions, or at minimum, legally binding commitments from
> telcos to pass any renewal discounts on to consumers through lower
> prices or new investment. Without such commitments, discounted spectrum
> risks providing industry windfall profits at the expense of taxpayers.
>
> You can hear more about this issue at ACCAN’s upcoming Spectrum
> Management Forum on 7 November.
>
> I’ll also be joining the International Institute of Communications for a
> panel event on 11 November about the new Scams Prevention Framework. I
> hope to see many of you there as we continue to work to reduce the
> impact of scams in our communities.
>
> This week is Get Online Week, an important reminder that digital skills
> are essential for everyone. Whether it’s learning how to spot scams,
> manage data, or use online services safely, these skills help ensure no
> one is left behind in our connected world.
>
> Finally, a note of thanks to all members who joined us on Wednesday for
> ACCAN’s Annual General Meeting. I look forward to working with three new
> Directors, Amber Marshall, Ron Ben-David and Tess Matthews. I am
> delighted that Vince Humpries and Delia Rickard have been re-appointed
> as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively.
>
> Read on for more consumer news and views.
>
> Carol Bennett
> CEO
>
>
> --
> Roger Clarke                            mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
> T: +61 2 6288 6916   http://www.xamax.com.au  http://www.rogerclarke.com
>
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>
> Visiting Professorial Fellow                          UNSW Law & Justice
> Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University
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