Today, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), announced that it had reached an agreement to combat unsolicited calls and text messages as well as phone frauds with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.
Tackle Unsolicited Communication
This week, the strategic Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two government agencies in London. It will allow them to work together in intelligence sharing, as well as assisting one another in their respective investigations. They will also coordinate their enforcement actions against entities operating from third-country countries.
Nerida O’Loughlin (ACMA Chair) commented on the MoU. She highlighted the global problem caused by unsolicited calls, text messages, and scams and called for intergovernmental collaboration to help find a solution. If sustainable results are achieved, she said.
O’Loughlin stated that the agreement would see them working together with their counterparts in the UK to combat illegal calls and messages, especially when they are related to cross-border issues.
The ACMA and ICO have reached an agreement that will strengthen their already strong relationship. It will also support both agencies in continuing to regulate all forms of unsolicited communication thousands of people receive each day.
John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, also commented on the agreement. He was pleased to see that the MoU reiterated the “collaborative efforts in protecting people against misuse of their personal information for illegal electronic marketing practices.”
Edwards said that the ICO and ACMA have common challenges in stopping companies harassing people with illegal calls and text messages. Edwards agreed to this MoU.
Gambling Operators in the Crosshairs
Recent enforcement action by the ACMA slapped BetDeluxe a AU$50,000 ($33.750) for failing to follow the spam rules. Between December 2021 to February 2022, BetDeluxe sent over 104,000 SMS promotional material with no option for the receivers to unsubscribe.
The Australian communications watchdog discovered that 98% of Australians received unsolicited communication in 2021. Around 80% of those people had suffered negative effects.
After the MoU with DITT, the advertising regulator in Northern Territory signed a MoU to the ICO, the MoU with the ICO was the second ACMA memorandum that directly affected the gambling industry.
The MoU is intended to increase cooperation in Australian gambling regulation. It will allow for greater collaboration between ACMA and DITT regarding compliance monitoring, enforcement, education and education about online gambling.
