ACCAN

Jun 16

For years, ACCAN has called for stronger telco protections for people affected by domestic and family violence — and now, real change is happening. The Minister for Communications TAG:Anika Wells has announced that new rules will come into effect, from 1 July, that hold telcos to account for how t...Read more

For years, ACCAN has called for stronger telco protections for people affected by domestic and family violence — and now, real change is happening. The Minister for Communications TAG:Anika Wells has announced that new rules will come into effect, from 1 July, that hold telcos to account for how they support customers experiencing DFV. Here’s what we asked for — and what’s being delivered: ✅ Trauma-informed staff training ✅ Tailored support measures ✅ A ban on requiring contact with perpetrators ✅ Stronger privacy & account security ✅ Clear info on available support ✅ Tougher compliance & enforcement by ACMA 📄 Read our full submission for the complete list of recommendations: https://accan.org.au/accans-work/submissions/2421-supporting-telco-customers-experiencing-domestic-family-and-sexual-violence #domesticviolence #domesticviolenceawareness #domesticabuse #consumerprotection #advocacy #auspol

Jun 12

❌ No telco app or website fully supports blind or low vision consumers to cancel their mobile service. The @centreforaccessibility tested 44 apps and sites—finding that cancellation is still especially tough for people with accessibility needs. ✅ Some providers did better than others—but there’s r...Read more

❌ No telco app or website fully supports blind or low vision consumers to cancel their mobile service. The @centreforaccessibility tested 44 apps and sites—finding that cancellation is still especially tough for people with accessibility needs. ✅ Some providers did better than others—but there’s room for improvement across the board. Through our Independent Grants Program, ACCAN is proud to support the work of the CFAA who have been training telcos on practical steps to make their apps and sites more accessible. 📖 Read more about the project: https://buff.ly/X60Pi6Z #accan #digitalinclusion #accessibility #accessibilityforall #accessibilitymatters #techforgood #disability

Jun 11

Big news: new protections for telco consumers facing domestic, family and sexual violence are taking effect from 1 July this year. This means that telcos must better support vulnerable Australians when they need it most. Commenting this morning, our CEO Carol Bennett said that “Communications serv...Read more

Big news: new protections for telco consumers facing domestic, family and sexual violence are taking effect from 1 July this year. This means that telcos must better support vulnerable Australians when they need it most. Commenting this morning, our CEO Carol Bennett said that “Communications services are a lifeline for vulnerable Australians, and this Standard ensures providers must play their part in addressing the unique risks faced by people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence." ACCAN thanks Minister for Communications Anika Wells for responding to the calls of ACCAN and other consumer advocates for driving a regulatory solution that reflects best practice. 🔗 Read our full statement: https://accan.org.au/media-centre/media-releases/2444-new-telco-rules-to-assist-most-vulnerable-only-weeks-away

Jun 10

The telco sector is letting Australians down — and the 3G shutdown proved it. 📉 41% don’t trust their telco 📡 1 in 3 say coverage didn’t match the hype ⚠️ Misleading sales tactics are the top issue investigated by the TIO 💳 Credit check complaints are up 30% 📞 People are being signed onto contr...Read more

The telco sector is letting Australians down — and the 3G shutdown proved it. 📉 41% don’t trust their telco 📡 1 in 3 say coverage didn’t match the hype ⚠️ Misleading sales tactics are the top issue investigated by the TIO 💳 Credit check complaints are up 30% 📞 People are being signed onto contracts they can’t afford. How did it get this bad? The rulebook (TCP Code) is telco-written - the same ones standing to profit from sales. ACCAN and the Fair Call Coalition are urging the new Communications Minister Anika Wells to fix the system and enforce real consumer protections

Jun 5

🚨 Telstra emergency service outage a near-miss for Australians with accessibility needs. Yesterday Telstra was fined over a 12-hour failure of the 106 emergency call service in July last year, which left Australians with hearing and speech impairments without vital access to help. ACCAN says this...Read more

🚨 Telstra emergency service outage a near-miss for Australians with accessibility needs. Yesterday Telstra was fined over a 12-hour failure of the 106 emergency call service in July last year, which left Australians with hearing and speech impairments without vital access to help. ACCAN says this serious incident must be treated as a wake-up call to the Federal Government to invest in a Next Generation Triple Zero system—so that all Australians can reliably reach emergency services, anytime, anywhere. Read more in our latest media release: https://accan.org.au/media-centre/media-releases/2438-telstra-106-emergency-call-outage #ACCAN #telstra #digitalinclusion #auspol #consumerwatchdog #consumerrights