Australia Will Impose New Rules to Stop SIM Swaps

As trailed previously, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has finalized new telco obligations that are designed to reduce the number of SIM swap frauds. These rules will come into force from 30 June.

The new rules demand stronger identity checks for ‘high-risk’ transactions such as requests for replacement SIM cards and changes to account details. Telcos will be expected to use multiple forms of authentication when customers instigate such transactions.

There is no evidence that any section of the Australian telecoms industry is opposed to the rules, though their formal adoption means the ACMA will be able to take enforcement action if they are breached in practice. Perhaps the greatest likelihood of court proceedings involving the ACMA and a telco resides in the vagueness as to exactly which transactions are deemed sufficiently risky as to require the higher standard of authentication.

You can read the ACMA press release about the new rules here.

Eric Priezkalns
Eric Priezkalns
Eric is the Editor of Commsrisk. Look here for more about the history of Commsrisk and the role played by Eric.

Eric is also the Chief Executive of the Risk & Assurance Group (RAG), a global association of professionals working in risk management and business assurance for communications providers.

Previously Eric was Director of Risk Management for Qatar Telecom and he has worked with Cable & Wireless, T‑Mobile, Sky, Worldcom and other telcos. He was lead author of Revenue Assurance: Expert Opinions for Communications Providers, published by CRC Press. He is a qualified chartered accountant, with degrees in information systems, and in mathematics and philosophy.