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Topic(s): Corporate information | Telecommunications

Media Release: Telstra wins Large Business Privacy Award

27 August 2008

Telstra Corporation was named tonight as the winner of the Large Business Award category in the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards program.

"The telecommunications sector is probably one of the most demanding when it comes to privacy protections, particularly given rapid technological developments, and the use of telco services by all Australians," said Karen Curtis, the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

"It is heartening that businesses in this sector, like Telstra, have developed initiatives to safeguard their customers' personal information."

The Award was presented at a gala dinner held in Sydney.

Telstra''s privacy initiatives include ensuring that all products, services, marketing initiatives and system are developed with privacy considerations built in. In the last financial year, there were more than 890 initiatives identified, assessed and managed for privacy impacts. Telstra requires all suppliers and business partners to comply with privacy law, and has established a dedicated privacy call centre.

A recent privacy assessment by Ernst and Young reported: "Privacy has been an integral part of Telstra's business for over 20 years and Telstra has a mature approach to managing its privacy risks."

Other winners of the Australian Privacy Awards included: Medicare (Grand Award), Data Solutions Australia (Microsoft Small-Medium Business Award), Australian Dental Association NSW Branch (Community & NGO Award), and the Child Support Agency (Symantec Government Award). High Court Judge Michael Kirby was named as the recipient of the Australian Privacy Medal.

The Awards were sponsored by Symantec (Major Sponsor), Microsoft (Major Sponsor), Clayton Utz (Executive Sponsor), and Australian Finance Conference (Sponsor).