One clause out of Telstra's additions to their terms of service.:
Supporting Victims of Domestic and Family Violence
We may terminate your service without notice if you are alleged to have committed domestic or family violence against an end-user of a service. We may also transfer the phone number or email address to the alleged victim if they are an authenticated end-user of the service.
Alleged, Alleged, Alleged.
No trial jury or judge - whoever they think is guilty could well loose their service. Too bad if they get it wrong and the lady could not
A little bit more info. Its designed to assist victims of family violence.
This kind of clause is based on Australian law and industry guidelines, mainly:
1. Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (Cth)
Gives the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) oversight of telco conduct.
Allows providers to act in the public interest and protect safety in cases involving domestic or family violence.
2. ACMAs Domestic and Family Violence Guidelines for Telcos C564:2020 (Communications Alliance)
Officially titled Industry Guideline: Handling of Life-Threatening and Unwelcome Communications, Including Domestic and Family Violence.
Encourages telcos to:
Prioritise safety over commercial or contractual issues.
Allow transfer of mobile numbers, email accounts, or internet services to the victim, even if the alleged abuser is the account holder.
Avoid requiring joint authorisation (which could endanger the victim).
Act quickly and discreetly when theres a credible risk.
3. Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Usually protects customer data, but it permits disclosure or account changes where there is a serious and imminent threat to life, health, or safety.
How the Process Usually Works
1. A report or allegation is made to the provider often by the victim, a police officer, or a domestic violence support service.
2. The providers specialised support team (not regular customer service) assesses whether its a genuine domestic or family violence situation.
3. If confirmed:
They can transfer the number, service, or email into the victims name.
They may suspend or terminate the alleged perpetrators access to prevent contact or tracking.
4. The provider does not wait for a criminal conviction they act on credible risk.
5. The victim is directed to specialist assistance such as 1800RESPECT or telco hardship and privacy protection programs.
This is open to abuse. If the alleged victim is fearful, then the provider could simply issue them with a new number without any presumption of guilt on the part of the accused.
-- Edited by dorian on Friday 7th of November 2025 02:45:03 PM
__________________
"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."
So how would you feel if you were wrongly accused and had your service terminated. What if the other Telcos did the same? Too easy to be used as a weapon.
A simple solution would be force all calls to voicemail and/or be given a second number. Assuming an AVO is raised, make part of the condition no phone calls. If everything goes to voicemail there is the evidence for whatever followup action is required.
Open to abuse? Hmmm. One woman dies every 8 days from domestic violence in Australia. That, is abuse.
No argument there, but I wouldn't want a desk jockey at my telco making life-changing judgments when the actual victim could be the accused. Let's not forget that women can be killers, too. By all means, protect the alleged victims, but never forget that one is not guilty simply because one has been accused, let alone charged. There are better ways to deal with the problem.
I know all too well how vindictive and evil women can be, and how they can destroy your good standing simply by word of mouth.
__________________
"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."
