This code is a dud. It was developed without consultation, it has gaping holes, and it gives no assurances to consumers about privacy safeguards. Rather, it will give the Government,s rubber stamp to a new onslaught of privacy intrusions by marketers. The Privacy Foundation was responding to the launch of the Australian Direct Marketing Association's code of conduct by the Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Allan Fels, today. There is no effective enforcement process for the code, since it covers only those companies who are members of ADMA, and sanctions are limited to suspension of ADMA membership.
Consumers have no right to compensation if the code is breached.
The code authorises direct marketing at extremely unreasonable hours. The direct marketing code shows this clearly. If any industry should know how to get self-regulation right, ADMA should. They have been dealing with privacy concerns for many years. They know that most Australians object to their activities.