Sydney: Australia's second-largest telecommunications company has agreed to pay a 100 million Australian dollar (64.9 million U.S. dollar) fine for engaging in unconscionable conduct.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that Optus Mobile, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singtel, has admitted to unconscionable conduct in selling products to vulnerable customers. This admission follows a court action initiated by the regulator in October. Under the agreement, the ACCC and Optus will jointly request the Federal Court to impose the penalty for breaching Australian consumer law.

The ACCC detailed that Optus sales staff acted unconscionably when selling phones and contracts to over 400 customers at 16 different stores across Australia between August 2019 and July 2023. It was reported that many consumers did not want, need, or could not use or afford what they were sold. In some cases, consumers were pursued for debts resulting from these sales.

The ACCC highlighted that many affected customers were vulnerable, including Indigenous Australians from remote areas, unemployed individuals, and people who did not speak English as a first language. Optus admitted its sales staff exerted undue pressure, failed to adequately explain relevant terms and conditions, and disregarded whether customers had Optus coverage where they lived.

ACCC chair Catriona Lowe stated that the conduct was "simply unacceptable," emphasizing that many vulnerable consumers experienced significant financial harm, accruing unexpected debt and facing debt collectors for years.

Optus chief executive Stephen Rue acknowledged the misconduct as inexcusable and unacceptable.