Australians shopping online for communications equipment will now benefit from stronger protections thanks to a new Equipment Safety Pledge launched by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The pledge is a set of voluntary commitments made by leading eCommerce platforms to tackle the sale of unsafe and illegal radiocommunications devices.
These devices can include dodgy two-way radios, illegal jammers, mobile phone boosters, unauthorised cellular mobile repeaters and 'grey market' mobile phones.
ACMA Deputy Chair Adam Suckling said using this type of equipment risks causing interference with licensed communications services and networks, including emergency service communications, and poses serious risks to public safety.
"Helping keep Australians safe from dodgy devices is a shared responsibility. These devices can interfere with emergency services like police, fire and ambulance, so sellers must step up to prevent these from being sold," Mr Suckling said.
"This pledge is an important step forward in protecting Australians from harmful communications equipment and ensure online marketplaces are not a gateway for illegal and non-compliant products."
Current signatories to the Equipment Safety Pledge include eBay, Gumtree, Temu, Shein, Radio Warehouse and Icom Australia, who together account for a significant share of online sales of radiocommunications devices in Australia.
The ACMA will be inviting other platforms to sign the pledge and anticipates more signatories will join in the future. Online marketplaces and retailers are encouraged to join by contacting the ACMA.
"Taking the pledge reflects a strong commitment from industry to work with the ACMA to improve consumer safety. We commend those companies who have signed the pledge and have taken responsibility for harmful devices sold via their platforms. We urge other eCommerce platforms to put their customers' interests first and sign up to the pledge," Mr Suckling said.
Signatories commit to take action in four priority areas, including stopping the sale of non-compliant and illegal communications devices through proactive detection and removal of listings, cooperating with the ACMA including by removing flagged listings within two business days of notification from the ACMA, and raising awareness by educating sellers and giving consumers clear ways to report listings of dodgy devices.
While the pledge strengthens consumer protections, shoppers are still encouraged to do their own checks before purchasing. Visit the ACMA's website to learn how to spot a dodgy device or to report illegal equipment.
