Editing Telstra (section)

==Controversies==
===Project Patrick===
In 2001 Telstra launched a secretive bid to purchase Channel 9 from the Packer PBL Empire. It was driven by the Chairman Bob Mansfield, CEO Ziggy Switkowski and Group Managing Directors Ted Pretty. John Stamhope and others. The Howard Government intervened and stopped the purchase and the debacle was captured on ABC's Four Corners program the same year. Telstra employees which were part of the project team Brian Stapleton, John Loscoe. Pat Fuery, David Long, Gerard Devan and Mark Todd were disbanded and the project shelved.

===WotNext===
In January 2007 Telstra launched WotNext, a [[Video hosting service|video-publishing]] website that allowed users to upload videos. The video content was then sold to mobile users for A$1, which the uploader and Telstra split equally.<ref name='WotNext–smh'>{{cite news |title=What next? Smutty clips nobble Telstra's 'YouTube' |first=Asher |last=Moses |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/web/what-next-smutty-clips-nobble-telstras-youtube/2007/12/05/1196530724315.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=5 December 2007 |access-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122135158/http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/what-next-smutty-clips-nobble-telstras-youtube/2007/12/05/1196530724315.html |archive-date=22 November 2008 }}</ref> The website was shut down in {{nowrap|December 2007}} after a media [[backlash (sociology)|backlash]] over uploaded semi-pornographic videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/web/smutty-clips-nobble-telstras-youtube/2007/12/05/1196530724315.html|title=What next? Smutty clips nobble Telstra's 'YouTube'|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 December 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618161600/http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/smutty-clips-nobble-telstras-youtube/2007/12/05/1196530724315.html|archive-date=18 June 2014}}</ref>

===2011 Privacy investigation===
On 12 July 2011, the [[Office of the Australian Information Commissioner]] (OAIC) released the findings of its investigation into a mailing list error that resulted in approximately 60,300 Telstra customers' personal information being sent to other customers. The [[Australian Privacy Commissioner]] [[Timothy Pilgrim]] said that the OAIC investigation confirmed that while Telstra breached the Privacy Act when the personal information of a number of its customers was disclosed to third parties, this incident was caused by a one-off [[human error]]. The OAIC concluded that Telstra had taken steps to protect the personal information of its customers including privacy obligations in agreements with mailing houses, privacy impact assessments, and procedures to ensure staff handle personal information appropriately during mail campaigns. After becoming aware of the mailing list error, the commissioner determined that Telstra had acted "immediately" to prevent further breaches, notify customers, review its data security practices, and counselling staff involved the accidental data leak.<ref>{{cite web |title=Telstra Corporation Limited: own motion investigation report (2011) |url=https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-assessments-and-decisions/privacy-decisions/investigation-reports/telstra-corporation-limited-telstra-own-motion-investigation-report |publisher=[[Office of the Australian Information Commissioner]] |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304090953/https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-assessments-and-decisions/privacy-decisions/investigation-reports/telstra-corporation-limited-telstra-own-motion-investigation-report |archive-date=4 March 2024 |date=7 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Christchurch mosque shootings===
On 20 March 2019, Telstra denied access to millions of Australians to the websites [[4chan]], [[8chan]], [[Zero Hedge]], and [[Liveleak]] as a reaction to the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/christchurch-attack-video-australia-block-internet-isps-telstra-vodafone-1368174|title=4chan, 8chan, LiveLeak and Others Blocked by Australian Internet Companies over Mosque Massacre Video|website=[[Newsweek]]|date=19 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019|archive-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522041759/https://www.newsweek.com/christchurch-attack-video-australia-block-internet-isps-telstra-vodafone-1368174|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Race relations===
In May 2021, the [[Federal Court of Australia]] ordered the company to pay a $50&nbsp;million fine for mistreating their [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous]] customers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bainbridge |first1=Amy |last2=Thorne |first2=Leonie |title=Telstra fined $50 million over unconscionable treatment of Indigenous phone plan customers |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/telstra-fined-over-treatment-of-indigenous-phone-plan-customers/100132000 |work=ABC News |access-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513223530/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/telstra-fined-over-treatment-of-indigenous-phone-plan-customers/100132000 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Telstra declared support for Yes in the [[2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum]], citing their "strong ties to Indigenous communities and employees".<ref>{{Cite web |last=England |first=Cameron |title=Top ASX companies publicly back yes campaign in Voice referendum |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/top-asx-companies-publicly-back-yes-campaign-in-voice-referendum/news-story/594172526e3a4f2b1ff9057f3269287e#:~:text=Technology%20giant%20Telstra%20have%20pledged,to%20Indigenous%20communities%20and%20employees.}}</ref>

===2024 3G network shutdown===
In March 2024, the planned shutdown of the 3G network in June raised concerns among those with limited access to [[4G]]/[[5G]] networks or newer devices. A Hillston farmer voiced fears that losing 3G connectivity could disrupt communication with her family in other rural places, posing potential risks to their safety and well-being.


As of November 4th 2024 the 3G Mobile Network has been fully decommissioned after 2 delays extended the closure date to October 28 2024.
<ref name=":1" />