Regulatory Restraint Urged On Data Retention Regime Compliance

Sydney, 5 September 2016 – Communications Alliance urges the Federal Government to exercise regulatory restraint in the event that some telecommunications service providers are unable to fully comply with the mandatory two-year Data Retention regime by the time of the April 2017 deadline.

Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, welcomed today’s announcement of the $128.4 million in grants to industry under the Data Retention Industry Grants Program (DRIGP).

“The Government appears to have done a reasonable job of apportioning the limited funds available, particularly among smaller providers, although some of the larger players face heavy unfunded expenses to meet their compliance requirements.

“But the lengthy delay in finalising the grants process has put many services providers under immense pressure to complete, on time, the work to enable them to comply with this regime.

“The Government should acknowledge that these delays have made compliance more difficult to achieve within the prescribed timeframe.

“The Attorney-General should publicly commit that no action will be taken, come April next year, against any service provider that is genuinely working to comply with the regime, but has been disadvantaged by the slow pace of decision-making, “Mr Stanton said.

ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Communications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.

Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society. 

The prime mission of Communications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.  For more details about Communications Alliance, see www.commsalliance.com.au.

Media information contact:
Sefiani
Aprille Lim  alim@sefiani.com.au
0413 317 788