Data Retention – Focus Needed on Efficient Compliance Arrangements

Canberra, 12 May 2015 – The telecommunications sector and the Federal Government must work to minimise the costs of complying with the Government’s mandatory data retention regime, Communications Alliance urged today.

Responding to the news that the Government will contribute $131 million to industry’s capital costs to set up the scheme, Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, said the emphasis must now be on ensuring that the funding shortfall – i.e. the costs that service providers must fund themselves – is as small as possible, so as to reduce the price impact on consumers.

“Industry is working with the Attorney-General’s Department on the detailed implementation arrangements and we must continue to look for ways to streamline the required processes and compliance requirements to make the regime as efficient as possible,” Mr Stanton said.

“Sensible use of the exemption provisions within the Act and a pragmatic approach to encryption requirements are just two of many avenues that can be explored to avoid unnecessary cost burdens on consumers.”

Mr Stanton said industry had not yet been advised how Government proposes to allocate the $131 million among the several hundred service providers that will be captured by the data retention requirements, but stood ready to assist in devising a fair and reasonable formula for achieving this.

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.

Media information contact:
info@commsalliance.com.au