AUSTRALIAN telco TPG (ASX: TPM) has been hit with a heavy fine after spamming customers via SMS messages.
The Group's Internet arm, TPG Internet, has paid a $360,000 fine for spamming customers who had unsubscribed from the telco's SMS messages.
An investigation conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found TPG's systems were not properly processing unsubscribing requests during April.
This meant the telco continued to send messages to customers who withdrew their consent.
ACMA chair Nerida O'Loughlin says TPG's heavy fine is a reminder to companies who have email or SMS marketing to maintain their marketing lists and ensure they comply with regulations.
"Consumers have a right to expect that their requests to unsubscribe from marketing messages will be respected," says O'Loughlin.
Under the Spam Act it is illegal to send unsolicited commercial electronic messages, including SMS and photo-based mobile phone messaging.
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