Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online Australian consumers and businesses are being harmed by the behaviour of tech giants in ways that cannot be addressed with current laws, a report has found. AAP · Jun 23, 2025
The Good Guys in trouble over bad promotional scheme A major retailer has reached a settlement with the consumer watchdog over a "StoreCash" promotion, which promised shoppers store credits for buying goods. AAP · Jun 23, 2025
Optus agrees to $100m penalty for selling phones to customers who couldn’t afford them or were out of range Telco’s chief executive says company ‘failed customers’ and conduct was inexcusable The Guardian - AU · Jun 18, 2025
Optus Cops $100M Fine Over Sales Tactics To Vulnerable Customers: ‘Unacceptable’ Optus has been penalised for selling customers phones and contracts they didn't want or need, following court action brought by the ACCC. Pedestrian.tv · Jun 18, 2025
Optus says yes to record $100m fine for dodgy sales Optus has agreed to a record fine for "unconscionable" sales to hundreds of consumers, including in remote Indigenous communities its network didn't cover. AAP · Jun 18, 2025
Only 4 Of 20 Popular Aussie Sunscreens Are Meeting The SPF Claims On Their Label, According To CHOICE Australia's peak consumer advocacy group put 20 sunscreens to the test, finding most didn’t actually hit the SPF50 mark. Pedestrian.tv · Jun 12, 2025
Several leading Australian sunscreens don’t provide the protection they say, Choice finds Consumer group tested 20 popular SPF 50 and 50+ brands and found 16 didn’t meet the claims on the bottles The Guardian - AU · Jun 11, 2025
Watchdog bites over dodgy ads during Black Friday sales Michael Hill Jeweller, MyHouse and Hairhouse Warehouse Online have been hit with fines for allegedly making false claims over their Black Friday sales AAP · Jun 11, 2025
How did you get my number? Inside the shadowy world of data brokers When political spam landed in Priya Dev’s inbox during the last election campaign, she decided to track down the source The Guardian - AU · Jun 8, 2025
After hundreds of complaints, eHarmony’s auto renewal subscription case begins in Australian federal court Dating website accused of misleading and deceptive conduct as sign up process and memberships examined on day one of hearing The Guardian - AU · Jun 2, 2025
Dating site accused of catfishing users with 'free' use Dating site eHarmony allegedly misled customers with statements about the pricing, renewal and duration of its memberships, the consumer watchdog says. AAP · Jun 2, 2025
Selling a house in Australia is expensive. The ACCC is investigating one reason why News Corp’s REA Group, behind real estate listings site realestate.com.au, is being investigated by the consumer watchdog amid complaints over its market dominance The Guardian - AU · May 29, 2025
Fines top $30 million after college 'rorts' students A judge has slapped massive fines on an online diploma college that turned a $19 million profit while saddling thousands of vulnerable people with student debt. AAP · May 27, 2025
Why the carbon offset 'swear jar' needs an overhaul Firms relying on carbon offsets to tout their green credentials and reduce their environmental footprints are under fresh scrutiny after a court settlement. AAP · May 23, 2025
AAP · May 23, 2025 Coles, Woolies debate number of fake discount products Coles and Woolworths will bargain with the competition watchdog on a list of items used as court evidence over allegations of illusory discount schemes.
AAP · May 20, 2025 Qantas, Jetstar cash in on lack of airline competition After budget airline Bonza collapsed early in 2024, Australia's remaining carriers have reaped their financial reward with impressive profits.
Pedestrian.tv · May 19, 2025 Vodafone Accuses Telstra Of Misleading Australians With Its Coverage Claims Vodafone has called for a regulatory investigation, alleging Telstra appears to have been misleading Australians "for more than a decade".
AAP · May 3, 2025 Tuna tune-up: calls for clearer green claims on cans Canned tuna brands spruiking their sustainability credentials have been urged to stick with the facts and steer clear of exaggerated assertions.
AAP · Apr 29, 2025 Penalty rates see hospitality sector 'haemorrhage' Hospitality businesses are struggling under ever-increasing costs as wages, energy, insurance and transaction costs push the sector to record closures.
The Guardian - AU · Apr 27, 2025 Pro-gas group with link to Liberal party referred to ACCC over alleged misleading claims Integrity organisation claims Australians for Natural Gas overstates role of gas in economy and failed to disclose directors’ links to industry on website
The Conversation · Apr 24, 2025 This may be as good as it gets: NZ and Australia face a complicated puzzle when it comes to supermarket prices With ongoing cost of living pressures, the Australian and New Zealand supermarket sectors are attracting renewed political attention on both sides of the Tasman.
The Guardian - AU · Apr 18, 2025 Labor ‘taking action’ on dynamic pricing after cost of tickets to Lady Gaga’s Sydney and Melbourne concerts sparks outrage ‘Drip pricing’ and hidden fees also being examined after tickets for ‘nosebleed’ seats rose to $622 within 15 minutes of sale beginning
The Conversation · Apr 15, 2025 Renting a home in Australia means handing over too much sensitive info. It’s a national security risk Our personal information is more valuable than ever. The most recent government cyber threat report warns that foreign state actors have an “enduring interest” in obtaining sensitive and personally identifiable information about Australians.
The Guardian - AU · Apr 12, 2025 ‘Ghost stores’: the online retailers promoting closing-down sales for physical shops that don’t exist Australia’s consumer watchdog says it is investigating complaints of social media ads purporting to be from local boutiques
AAP · Apr 10, 2025 Stamp prices set to rise as snail mail volumes shrink The regulator says it is unlikely to stand in the way of Australia Post raising stamp prices as its loss-making letter delivery business continues to shrink.