The ACMA has created a Reducing Scam Calls and Scam Short Messages industry code, and the ADIA has called on the Australian government to work with industry to ensure that legitimate market and social research needs are met without additional costs to business and the taxpayer.

The rules brought in by the ACMA require telecommunications firms to identify, trace and block SMS scams.

Under the rules, telecommunications companies must also publish information to help their customers to proactively manage and report SMS scams, share information about scam messages with other telcos and report identified scams to authorities.

The ADIA said it would welcome the opportunity to work with government, telecommunications companies and stakeholders to support the new measures, while recognising the need for further action to enable legitimate research calls to be made.

The ADIA added that market and social research rely on connecting with people who choose to share their views to ensure the delivery of important consumer insights on government, social policy and commercial issues and initiatives.

George Zdanowicz (pictured), president of the ADIA, said: “The ACMA’s recommendations to improve consumer privacy protections requiring telcos to identify, trace and block SMS scams is a welcome initiative.

“Scammers not only affect individuals but also negatively impact the quality of work that legitimate research organisations are doing to inform important government and business decisions.

“From studies on public health, education, and climate change in Australia to surveys about customer satisfaction and the development of products and services, market and social research provides valuable information about the society in which we live. Scammers across mobile and digital platforms need to be called out.”