“Digital technology has transformed consumer experiences,” said ACCAN chief executive Teresa Corbin. “Consumers can buy products, access information, and communicate with people anywhere in the world with just the touch of a button. This increased connectivity raises some big questions and implications for consumers.

“As we become more and more connected and government services move online, how can we ensure that everyone can get access to the internet? How safe is our personal information? What information is being collected about us from connected devices? These are some of the issues we’ll explore at the conference.”

The conference, at the Aerial UTS Function Centre in Sydney, has a keynote presentation being delivered via video by Consumers International director-general, Amanda Long, who will talk about CI’s campaign to build a digital world consumers can trust and the G20 Consumer Summit held earlier this year in Germany which resulted in 10 recommendations for improved global consumer protection in a digital world.

The conference sessions cover a range of topics including connected houses, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence, digital government and future consumer protections.

And research about the privacy and security of IoT devices completed under the ACCAN Grants Scheme will be launched at the conference and attendees will also get to hear presentations on connected farms, how the NBN will adapt in an ever changing environment.

“We’re looking forward to engaging with consumers, industry, government and regulators on future issues and what the implications may be for consumers in a highly connected world,” Corbin said.

In addition, there will be presentations from the Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield, Shadow Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland and Shadow Minister for Regional Communications Stephen Jones.