Australia and Canada will look to further enhance ongoing joint efforts to combat unlawful telemarketing and spam under an agreement signed by the communications regulator of each country.
The Australian communications and media authority (ACMA) and the Canadian radio-television and telecommunications commission (CRTC) renewed an MoU that will see them share strategic approaches, exchange intelligence and assist each other with investigations on illegal communications.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the agreement builds on the already strong strategic and working relationship between the ACMA and CRTC in cracking down unlawful calls and messages, particularly when entities operating across borders are involved.
“Scams, flooded inboxes, and unlawful calls are eroding people’s confidence in communication services,” O’Loughlin said. “Unsolicited communications are an international problem in origin and impact, and increased global collaboration is required to address the escalating issue.”
CRTC chairperson and CEO Ian Scott said that the CRTC has a longstanding and trusting relationship with ACMA that will prove rewarding for both countries.
“The landscape of threats to consumers is constantly shifting. The only way we can tackle this global issue is by working collaboratively with other international jurisdictions. We look forward to continuing to exchange information and best practices as well as the sharing of expertise as we tackle these issues in a united fashion," he said.
Both the ACMA and CRTC are members of the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network, a global network of regulators and key stakeholders dedicated to tackling unsolicited communications.
