Telnyx Australia has been hit with a $106,560 infringement notice for multiple breaches of anti-scam and public safety obligations, as determined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The breaches occurred between 2017 and 2022, highlighting a prolonged period of non-compliance. ACMA's investigation revealed Telnyx failed to adhere to rules designed to curb scam SMS and prevent mobile number fraud. The investigation found Telnyx allowed at least 4,666 SMS to be sent using text-based sender IDs without conducting sufficient checks to ensure they weren't scams. Furthermore, Telnyx did not perform adequate ID checks for its prepaid mobile customers or when transferring customers from other telcos.

"Telnyx's breaches weakened the application of anti-scams rules at a time when scam SMS have heavily impacted on many Australians," ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated. "The fact that Telnyx is a smaller telco is simply no excuse as it breached a raft of rules in place to prevent serious harms to Australians."

In addition to these breaches, Telnyx failed to provide customer data to the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND) on more than 3,256 occasions. The IPND is a critical tool used by Triple Zero to locate people in emergencies, the Emergency Alert Service to warn Australians of emergencies like floods or bushfires, and to assist law enforcement activities.

In response to these findings, ACMA has directed Telnyx to comply with the Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS and the Integrated Public Number Database Industry codes. Telnyx has also given court-enforceable undertakings that it will conduct an independent review of its compliance practices and make necessary improvements.

Telcos may face penalties of up to $250,000 for breaching ACMA directions to comply with industry codes.