ACMA has announced that Telstra has yet again disregarded obligations regarding the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND).
the announcement states that Telstra has paid an infringement notice of $2.53 million after ACMA found 'large-scale breaches of rules intended to protect the privacy and safety of customers', with almost 50,000 instances where Telstra failed to correctly upload a customer’s choice of an unlisted - or silent - number to the IPND. That failure - regrettably not a one-off, given that ACMA found in 2019 that Telstra had breached the same obligations.
The failure meant 'silent' numbers could be published in public phone directories or be available through online directory services.
ACMA also found that Telstra failed to provide data to, or failed to update, the IPND for its Belong customers on over 65,000 occasions.
ACMA's Chair said Telstra potentially put people’s safety at risk.
When people request a silent number it is often for very important privacy and safety reasons, and we know that the publication of their details can have serious consequences. The IPND is also used by Triple Zero to help locate people in an emergency, for the Emergency Alert Service to warn of emergencies like flood or bushfire, and to assist law enforcement activities.
The provision of these critical services can be hampered and lives put in danger if data is missing, wrong or out of date. It is alarming that Telstra could get this so wrong on such a large scale.
ACMA notes that
All telcos are required to upload customer information into the IPND for each service they provide. This includes the telephone number, the customer’s name and address and whether the customer wants their number of be listed or unlisted. Flagging a number as listed or unlisted determines whether a customer’s details are available in public phone directories and directory assistance services. ... In 2018 and 2020 the ACMA took action against a total of 26 telcos for non-compliance with upload rules, including giving remedial directions. Earlier this year the ACMA gave Lycamobile a $600,000 penalty for breaching the rules.
