Latest news with #SpamAct2003
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Betting giant fined $4m for spamming VIPs
Australia's largest gambling company Tabcorp has been slapped with a $4,003,270 fine after sending its VIP customers thousands of messages over text and WhatsApp without giving people a way to unsubscribe. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found the waging company sent 2598 SMS and WhatsApp messages to its VIP customers in the three months between February 1 and May 1, 2024. ACMA also found that 3148 SMS and WhatsApp messages did not contain adequate sender information across the same period, and 11 SMS messages were sent without consent between February 15 and April 29, 2024. TAB has been hit with a $4m fine NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia While these messages were sent to VIP customers, ACMA said there was a difference between them and traditional 'high rollers'. ACMA said customers receiving these messages may not have the same means to deal with significant losses. ACMA authority member Samantha Yorke said the breaches were deeply concerning as they involved noncompliance by a large and established gambling provider that targeted VIP program customers. 'This is the first time the ACMA has investigated and found spam breaches in a gambling VIP program,' she said. 'These programs often involve personalised messages offering incentives such as bonus bets, deposit matching, rebates and offers of tickets to sporting and other events. 'The gambling industry needs to understand that spam laws apply to all direct marketing — whether it's generic campaigns or personalised messages.' ACMA said TAB did not allow its VIPs an easy option to unsubscribe. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia The spamming occurred before chief executive Gill McLachlan joined the business. In a statement to NewsWire, Tabcorp acknowledged the ACMA's findings. 'Tabcorp is remediating and significantly improving our processes, systems and overall compliance pursuant to an enforceable undertaking, a TAB spokesperson said. 'Tabcorp assisted the ACMA throughout the investigation and will continue to work closely with the regulator to ensure ongoing improved compliance.' Under the Spam Act 2003, businesses must have consent before sending marketing messages. But customers who are sent messages with consent must have a way of unsubscribing should they no longer want to receive the communications. 'When people make choices to unsubscribe from a service they must be able to do so easily and their decisions must be respected by companies,' Ms Yorke said. TAB has also entered into a three-year court-enforceable undertaking, which includes an independent review of its direct marketing systems, quarterly audits of its VIP direct marketing, staff training, and regular reporting to the ACMA.
SBS Australia
29-04-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Trumpet of Patriots spam texts: Why are you receiving them, and are they legal?
If you have been receiving text messages from the Trumpet of Patriots party — despite never signing up to a mailing list — you are not alone. "Solve housing fast trains 20 min CBD cheaper land. Super for deposit 3% interest, cut immigration by 80%," one message reads. "Double fees for foreign students. Free education for Australians. Forgive loans Vote1 Trumpet of Patriots," another says. The messages are authorised by Trumpet of Patriots candidate Harold Fong, and have sparked criticism and anger among recipients, with many questioning whether this type of campaigning is legal. Yes, it is legal for political parties to send you unsolicited text messages. ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) regulates spam text messages in Australia under the Spam Act 2003. Under the Spam Act, anybody who plans to send marketing messages or emails must have consent from the person who will receive them. The messages must always identify the sender, contain the sender's contact details, and make it easy to unsubscribe. But political parties are exempt from the Spam Act and the Do Not Call Register, meaning they are allowed to send unsolicited text messages without an opt-out option. The messages being sent by the Trumpet of Patriots do not include an opt-out option, meaning you cannot unsubscribe. Many recipients have tried responding to the text with requests to stop the messages, but these replies fail to send. Some have tried blocking the number, but this is not guaranteed to work because the messages are not coming from a real phone number. The Australian Electoral Commission told SBS it does not supply political parties with voters' mobile phone numbers. Political parties may have accessed mobile phone numbers through a marketing agency, which could have obtained your number through online databases. Parties or marketing agencies might also use random number generators when sending out bulk messages, so receiving them can be by chance. SBS News has contacted the Trumpet of Patriots party for comment. The Trumpet of Patriots party is run by mining magnate , who previously ran the United Australia Party. According to the party's website, the Trumpet of Patriots is focused on "democracy, individual freedoms, free speech, reducing government intrusion in our lives, breaking the duopoly, real choice and real liberty". The party's policies include launching an investigation into government spending, cutting immigration, establishing high-speed rail networks, exiting the Paris Agreement, getting the 'woke agenda' out of schools, and exiting the World Health Organization, United Nations and World Economic Forum. Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages.
