No 23: 23 October 2023

Submission in Response to Draft Digital ID Legislation/Rules

Communications Alliance has made a submission in response to the draft Digital ID Bill 2023, Digital ID Rules 2024 and Digital ID Accreditation Rules 2024.
 
The submission welcomes the proposed draft legislation/rules and provides suggestions for further ‘fine-tuning’ of the proposed legislation package, aiming at improved operational effectiveness and practicality. The key areas covered in the submission relate to;

• Prohibition of use and disclosure of personal information for certain purposes;
• One-to-many matching of biometric information;
• Cyber security incidents;
• Destruction of biometric information;
• Additional checks for Relying Parties;
• Liability, limitations and exclusions;
• Digital ID Data Standards; and
• Allowing decentralised approaches.

Getting Aussie Satellites onto the ITU’s Books

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) acts as the Australian administration for the satellite filing process of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), assessing requests to file satellite systems with the ITU. It is reviewing the Australian procedures for the coordination and notification of satellite systems, which were last updated in 2011, to ensure they provide a flexible, contemporary approach that supports Australian satellite operators, including the advent of the large LEO satellite constellations and other non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems.
 
The Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) provided a submission to the ACMA, highlighting a number of areas that would benefit from changes felt necessary to, among other things, facilitate new entrants to the space industry. These include removing barriers to innovation, the conditions around financing and upfront fees, evaluating benefit, coordination and assessment criteria, and allowing the grandfathering of filings.

Comment sought on Draft Industry Code DR C555:2023 Integrated Public Number Database (IPND)

Communications Alliance is seeking public comment on the revised draft Code C555:2023 Integrated Public Number Database (IPND).

The IPND is an industry-wide database of all Public Number Customer Data (PNCD). The IPND serves as a repository of PNCD which broadly includes the Number, the Customer name, service address and Directory Related Services’ information which can be used, for example, to assist in the provision of emergency services and law enforcement. The IPND has the benefit of simplifying the provision of, and access to personal information necessary to manage public safety and well-being.

Proposed amendments to the Code in this 2023 revision include:
clarification of a CSPs obligations relating to recording and maintaining the accuracy of the Customers List Code;

• clarification of the use of International Numbers;
• arrangements for International Emergency Assistance Call Monitoring Centres that make International Originated Emergency Assistance Calls into Australia and information required to be included in the IPND;
• an obligation for CSPs to advise the IPND Manager if their data provision arrangements or CSP Code changes;
• updates to provisions relating to CSPs keeping the IPND Manager notified of any changes to contact details;
• clarification of the process if a CSP inadvertently overwrites another CSPs records.

The draft Code can be downloaded from the Drafts for Public Comment page along with further information on how to submit comments. Information on the Working Committee which developed the Code, including the Terms of Reference, can be found here.
 
All submissions received will be made publicly available on the Communications Alliance website unless the submitter requests otherwise.
 
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES AT 5:00 P.M. (AEDST) ON FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2023.

New Members

Communications Alliance is pleased to welcome the following new member:

Current Consultations

Below is a list of currently open telecommunications-related consultations being conducted by Government and other organisations that provide an opportunity for you to have your say.

Communications Alliance members interested in contributing to an industry submission (if one is being developed in response to a specific consultation) should contact us.