The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is to work with its United Kingdom (UK) counterpart to combat unsolicited calls, texts and phone scams under a new agreement.
Chair of ACMA, Nerida O’Loughlin said the Authority had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which would see them share intelligence, assist each other in appropriate investigations and coordinate enforcement against cross-border entities.
Ms O’Loughlin said research conducted by ACMA in 2021 found that 98 per cent of Australians received some form of unsolicited communication, and around eight in 10 were negatively impacted.
“The agreement builds on the already strong strategic and working relationship between the ACMA and ICO in the regulation of unsolicited communications,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“Unwanted calls, texts, and scams are international problems and cross border collaboration is an important part of the solution,” she said.
“This agreement will see us working with our UK counterparts to crack down on unlawful calls and messages, particularly when cross border issues are involved.”
UK Information Commissioner John Edwards said the MoU reaffirmed the organisations’ collaborative efforts to protect people against the misuse of their personal data for unlawful electronic marketing practices.
“The ICO and the ACMA face common challenges in stopping companies from plaguing people’s lives with unlawful calls and text messages, and this MoU will help us remain effective in our mission,” Commissioner Edwards said.
The 11-page MoU signed by the Agencies can be accessed at this PS News link.
