Telecommunications

A judge overseeing several cases against Optus over a September 2022 data breach has raised the possibility of hearing a class action against the telco alongside new proceedings brought by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Optus has lost its appeal of a decision that found the telco could not claim legal professional privilege over a Deloitte report into a major data breach, with an appeals court highlighting the lack of evidence from former CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has brought proceedings against Optus over a September 2022 data breach that comprised the data of up to 10 million customers, the first lawsuit filed by a regulator following a string of major cyberattacks over the past two years.

A judge has quashed a statutory demand by K&L Gates seeking $745,000 in fees from a former client, saying the law firm’s alleged debt included amounts owing its US counterpart, in currency converted to Australian dollars who knows when.

A judge has rejected Aussie Broadband’s bid to restrain internet service provider Superloop from acting on a sell order issued last month, calling the argument that Superloop issued the order for an improper purpose “a very weak” one. 

Aussie Broadband is seeking to set aside a notice from the board of internet service provider Superloop directing it to sell down its 19.9 shareholding in the company, arguing the sell order was made for an improper purpose amid a “contested takeover battle” between the companies. 

Telecommunications giant SingTel has lost its challenge a ruling in favour of the ATO’s decision to reject over $894,000 in tax deductions related to its $14.2 billion acquisition of Optus.

Telstra has successfully appealed a decision holding it liable for a $2.6 million telecommunications bungle at a Melbourne-based telemarketing business, with a judge finding it was entitled to rely on the expertise of business partner Kyrtec.

Optus has paid a $1.5 million penalty after an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority revealed breaches of public safety rules.

Telstra has won its bid to vacate a hearing in a case by former contractor Kingfisher Mobile seeking to bar the telco from migrating customers to a new mobile services provider, after a judge found Kingfisher’s delay in filing the case meant meeting the date would be unfair.