Vodafone Australia will strengthen its IT systems after failing to verify the identity of more than 1,000 customers before activating their prepaid mobile services.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says Vodafone Australia breached verification rules between January 2015 and January 2016, after changes to the telco's IT systems allowed customers to self-select online that their identity had been checked in store.
ACMA acting chair James Cameron said telcos must ensure changes to their IT systems don't run the risk of contravening legal requirements.
"Verifying the identity of prepaid mobile customers helps law enforcement and national security agencies obtain accurate information about the identity of customers for the purposes of their investigations," Mr Cameron said on Thursday.
Vodafone has agreed to undertaking with ACMA that it must conduct a review and risk assessment of any future proposed changes to its systems and processes, instigate training programs, conduct compliance audits every six months and report to the ACMA.
