SpinTel Pays $653,400 Over Unsolicited Marketing Emails
The Australian telco was penalised for sending more than 32,000 commercial emails without consent and has agreed to a three-year enforceable undertaking.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Do you think companies should be allowed to email you after you've stopped being a customer?
SpinTel Pty Ltd has paid a $653,400 penalty after sending more than 32,000 commercial emails without consent. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) also accepted a three-year court enforceable undertaking from the company.
Why it matters
The case shows that businesses cannot rely on a past customer relationship alone to justify marketing messages, particularly when recipients have unsubscribed. It also adds to more than $11 million in spam penalties paid by businesses over the past 18 months.
The penalty followed marketing emails sent between July and September 2025 promoting NBN and mobile plans, with some recipients having left SpinTel up to 13 years earlier. The undertaking runs for three years and requires an independent consultant, regular audits and reporting to the ACMA.
The players
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
The ACMA is Australia's independent regulator responsible for enforcing the Spam Act 2003 and related communications laws.
SpinTel Pty Ltd
SpinTel is an Australian telecommunications provider offering NBN and mobile services.
The details
SpinTel sent marketing emails to former customers encouraging them to return to its NBN and mobile service plans. The ACMA investigation found the company had sent five messages more than five business days after recipients had unsubscribed.
Timeline
Between July and September 2025, SpinTel sent the marketing emails to former customers.
On 3 November 2026, the ACMA published its announcement of the penalty and undertaking.
Market Landscape
Enforcement under the Spam Act 2003 has tightened for telecommunications marketers, with businesses paying more than $11 million in penalties over the past 18 months. The SpinTel case shows regulators are scrutinising consent claims based on past customer relationships.
Consumers who have previously left a provider may still receive marketing emails, and unsubscribing should stop them. Under Australian law, businesses must have consent or a clear basis for sending commercial messages.
The takeaway
If you receive marketing emails from a former provider after unsubscribing, you can report them to the ACMA. Keeping records of unsubscribe requests can help support any complaint.
Further reading
For more on how telecom providers are regulated, see Telecommunications coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Acma.
Live Poll
Do you think companies should be allowed to email you after you've stopped being a customer?
