B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Pinterest
  • Federal Election
  • AFL
  • Anthony Albanese
  • NRL
  • WPP
  • AI
  • State of Origin
  • Thinkerbell
  • Channel 10
  • EssenceMediaCom
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Meta
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Optus Slapped With $504,000 Fine For ‘Spamming’ Customers
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Media > Optus Slapped With $504,000 Fine For ‘Spamming’ Customers
Media

Optus Slapped With $504,000 Fine For ‘Spamming’ Customers

Staff Writers
Published on: 31st January 2020 at 11:03 AM
Staff Writers
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered Optus to pay a $504,000 penalty, for “significant breaches of spam laws”.

ACMA’s investigation looked into an SMS and email marketing campaign by the telco between 1 June and 4 December 2018.

ACMA found Optus continued to flood consumers with messages, even if they had unsubscribed. Additionally, Optus was also found guilty of having sent notices that did not include an unsubscribe option.

“This is the second largest infringement notice that has ever been paid to the ACMA, and the largest paid for spamming,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

“It reflects the seriousness of breaches made by Optus and its failure to honour its customers’ wishes to unsubscribe, in some cases on multiple occasions.

“Australians find spam infuriating and as a regulator it is something we are actively cracking down on.”

Optus has agreeed to appoint an independent consultant to review systems, policies and procedures for compliance with spam rules in light of the scandal.

ACMA has warned Optus it will find itself in court again if it fails to comply with spam laws.

“The undertaking should significantly reduce the risk of ongoing non-compliance, however the ACMA will be actively monitoring Optus’ compliance with its commitments,” O’Loughlin said.

“If they are not met, the ACMA will consider court action.”

The regulatory body revealed Australian businesses have paid in excess of $1.1 million in infringement notices over the past 18 months for breaking spam and telemarketing laws.

Optus’s penalty marks the biggest such penalty since Telstra was fined $510,000 in 2014 for failing to connect landline customers on time.

Optus vice president of regulatory and public affairs Andrew Sheridan apologised for the incident.

“We have committed to putting in place enhanced practices and systems to tighten the management of our marketing communications and will continue to work constructively with the ACMA on this matter,” Sheridan told the Sydney Morning Herald.

 

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: ACMA, Optus
Share
Staff Writers
By Staff Writers
Follow:
Staff Writers represent B&T's team of award-winning reporters. Here, you'll find articles crafted with industry experience spanning over 50 years. Our team of specialists brings together a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to delivering insightful, topical, and breaking news. With a deep understanding of advertising and media, our Staff Writers are dedicated to providing industry-leading analysis and reporting, both shaping the conversation and setting the benchmark for excellence.

Latest News

Sling & Stone Launches Dedicated Deep Tech Specialism To Power The Next Wave Of Global Innovation
20/06/2025
Australia’s Got Talent – & A Global Creative Role To Play
20/06/2025
The Atticism Founder Sophie Muir Launches Female Agency Incubator
20/06/2025
IAS Launches New AI-Driven Contextual Category Reporting For Meta Platforms
20/06/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?