The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work closer together on telecommunications, spam and telemarketing issues.
The MOU framework is designed to help the two parties perform their functions and minimise the risk of duplication. It also provides for appropriate information-sharing between ACMA and Pilgrim in investigations, as well as statistical information about telecommunications privacy issues.
Pilgrim regulates compliance with the Privacy Act. The Act applies to federal government agencies and private sector businesses such as telecommunications providers.
Meanwhile, the ACMA regulates telecommunications, spam and telemarketing, including industry-specific privacy related rules under the Spam Act and the Do Not Call Register Act.
“This MOU further strengthens the relationship between our two agencies. It reinforces our commitment to protect the privacy of Australians in the most efficient and effective manner possible while reducing the regulatory burden on organisations,” said Pilgrim in a statement.
According to ACMA chairman Chris Chapman, the MOU will help the two organisations discuss matters of “shared concern.”
It will also help ACMA streamline its engagement with organisations that are subject to the Privacy Act and Spam Act.
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