Optus cops hefty penalty for spamming customers

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The communications watchdog has slapped Optus with a near-record $504,000 fine for spamming its own customers.

It’s the second-largest fine ever issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, and came after the telco continued to send texts and emails to customers who had unsubscribed from them.

Authority chair Nerida O’Loughlin said on Friday marketers had to respect people’s wishes to unsubscribe.

Optus was also caught sending people fake bills with no options to unsubscribe.

“Australians find spam infuriating and as a regulator it is something we are actively cracking down on,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“[The fine] reflects the seriousness of breaches made by Optus and its failure to honour its customers’ wishes.”