Pay TV player Foxtel has paid a $25,200 infringement notice for breaching laws that require telemarketers to end a call immediately when asked.
An ACMA investigation found that Foxtel continued to sell its products and services within calls after consumers indicated they wanted to end the calls.
The ACMA also found Foxtel did not have adequate contractual arrangements in place with a call centre it used.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said: “Consumers have the right to end a telemarketing call at any time during the call.
“It’s unacceptable for a call to continue once someone has indicated they want it to stop.”
‘The ACMA will act when aggressive marketing practices don’t meet acceptable standards,’ said O’Loughlin.
This year, the ACMA has cracked down on businesses breaking telemarketing laws. Businesses have paid a total of $368,400 in infringement notices.
“Telemarketers are on notice to listen and respond appropriately to consumers and take their obligations seriously,” added O’Loughlin.
The Telemarketing Industry Standard sets out minimum obligations for all telemarketing calls that set out clearly permitted calling times, the information to be provided during calls and when calls must be terminated.
Penalties for businesses in breach of Australia’s telemarketing laws, include formal warnings, infringement notices or action in the Federal Court.
