ACCC postpones CDR launch

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has updated the timeline for the launch of the consumer data right (CDR) in the banking sector, deferring commencement from February 2020 to July 2020.

As of 1 July 2020, consumers have the power to direct major banks to share their credit and debit card, deposit account and transaction account data with accredited service providers from 1 July 2020.

The CDR regime will then apply to mortgage and personal loan customers from 1 November 2020.

According to the ACCC, the revised timeline would allow for “additional implementation work and testing to be completed” and “better ensure necessary security and privacy protections operate effectively”.

Following the announcement of the new timeline, ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said: “The CDR is a complex but fundamental competition and consumer reform, and we are committed to delivering it only after we are confident the system is resilient, user-friendly and properly tested.

“Robust privacy protection and information security are core features of the CDR, and establishing appropriate regulatory settings and IT infrastructure cannot be rushed.”

The ACCC added that it would create the CDR rules in January 2020 to reflect the revised timeline and will conduct further consultation regarding “any consequential changes to other phases of the CDR”.

The CDR regime will be rolled out sector by sector, with banking being followed by energy and telecommunications.

The CDR regime is also designed to increase competition, particularly for more complex products and services, and to allow businesses to make “more tailored offerings” to consumers.

Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s head of financial stability, Jonathan Kearns, noted that better access to data through measures like the CDR regime, open banking and comprehensive credit reporting (CCR) threaten to “eradicate” the competitive advantage held by established banks.  

“The CDR makes it clear that the consumer owns their own data, and open banking provides bank customers with the ability to share their account data with other institutions, including non-banks,” he noted.

“Using these data, a non-bank could, for example, suggest accounts or cards that better suit a customer’s needs or use the information for detailed credit assessment.

“In addition, comprehensive credit reporting will provide [bank and] non-bank lenders with greater information about potential borrowers’ credit history.”

[Related: Data shift threatens to ‘eradicate’ bank advantage: RBA]