Telstra fined for breaching Do Not Call laws

Telstra has been forced to pay $101,200 to the communications authority after one of its call centres contacted people on the Do Not Call Register.

Telstra was forced to pay the fine after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) received multiple consumer complaints about the telco.

The ACMA conducted an investigation and found Telstra had inadequate compliance systems, procedures and supervision which led to consumers on the register who are not Telstra customers being contacted.

“The ACMA expects large businesses like Telstra to be leading the way and setting an example when it comes to compliance with the Do Not Call Register – not falling behind,” Chris Chapman, chairman of the ACMA said in a statement.

“The market leaders in the telco industry should consider themselves soundly on notice – size and complexity are no excuse for non-compliant practice.”

Telstra has now entered into an enforceable undertaking with the ACMA, with an external consultant appointed to review Telstra’s systems and procedures for compliance with the Do Not Call Register regulations.

The ACMA received 12,057 complaints from May 2008 to May 2009 from consumers on the register being contacted by telemarketers. This was a 60% drop on the previous year.