CHOICE Australia - April 2023

APRIL 2023
Private
lives
Protecting your
profile online THE
DARK WEB
Where stolen
TRAVEL data is currency
TROUBLE
What to do when you
lose your passport
Packaging
overload
1products
94 Unboxing wasteful
wrapping
TESTED
Dishwashing liquids
Espresso machines
Induction cooktops
Air purifiers
Smart doorbells
Smart locks
Soundbars
TH E PR
IVAC
ISSUE Y
Data mine
Your data breach action plan
Plus Superannuation scams, a guide to VPNs and more
COMMENT
Handle with care

Our personal data deserves better protection
rivacy. It’s such a simple Our objective was to point out
P concept, so why does it

have to be so complex
in reality?
I reckon most of us have pretty
simple expectations about how
how absurd it is to allow a business
to cover its back in this way – if
a business’s terms and conditions
are so complicated that you couldn’t
expect an average person to digest
organisations use information them, the business should not be
that could affect our privacy. able to rely upon them.
They should be upfront about One way to fix this would be to
what information they’re collecting have much clearer rules in the Privacy
and how they’ll use it, and they Act about what can be collected and
shouldn’t use it unfairly. how it can be used. If the law was
Unfortunately, that’s not what stronger, privacy policies would play
the law requires. Under the Privacy a much smaller role.
Act, businesses have a lot of latitude But even if we fixed that problem,
to decide what information they our privacy laws would still be
collect and how they use it. Unless riddled with loopholes that allow
it is ‘sensitive’ information – such some businesses to evade them. where large amounts of information
as information about your health Most businesses with turnover are being collected about us every
– they don’t need you to ask for under $3 million per annum, for day, often without us even knowing.
your agreement. In most cases, example, are exempt from the Now more than ever, we need
they can decide their own rules Privacy Act, meaning they can strong, simple laws that capture
through what they put in their collect whatever they want, with all businesses, regardless of size, and
privacy policy. few consequences if something that ensure the amount of personal
I don’t know if you have ever goes wrong. Small businesses information businesses collect is kept
bothered to read the privacy policy such as real estate agents hold to a minimum and can only be used
of a large business, but they’re often a lot of information that could cause in ways that genuinely help us.
encyclopaedic in scale. A few years embarrassment or harm if disclosed.
ago, we hired an actor to read the It’s time to think about whether that’s
privacy policy for Amazon Kindle. still appropriate.
Coming in at over 73,000 words With a review of privacy legislation
at the time, it took our professional underway, the government has an Alan Kirkland, CEO
script reader almost nine hours opportunity to design the kinds of Email: alan@choice.com.au
to get through the whole thing. laws we need to protect us in a world Twitter: @AlanKirkland
CHOICE
CHOICE gives you the power to choose the best goods assessments and consumer surveys. CHOICE staff
and services, and avoid the worst. Wherever possible, also research a wide range of consumer services.
we pay full price for the products we test, so we remain They reveal the truth behind the facts and figures,
100% independent. We don’t take advertising or and investigate the quality and the claims.
freebies from industry. We’re not a government body BECOME A MEMBER To review the full range
and our consumer publishing and advocacy is almost of membership options and benefits go to
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online access and services such as CHOICE Help. MEMBERSHIPS/RENEWALS Call 1800 069 552
CHOICE product ratings are based on lab tests, expert or email us at ausconsumer@choice.com.au.
2 /// APRIL 2023 CHOICE

CONTENTS
26
56
18
4 Checkout 72 Index 64 Soundbars

News, views and sneak peeks The best sound, bar none
76 Hard Word
14 Ask the Experts 67 VPN buying guide
TESTS Upgrade your online privacy
16 Your Say
41 Dishwashing liquids
18 Data on the dark web Detergents that make short
What do hackers do with work of the dishes
stolen personal data?
44 Espresso machines
21 Data defence The models that put the app
What to do in a data breach in cappuccino
26 Incognito mode 48 Induction cooktops

Safeguarding your Is a fully flexible model
online privacy worth the cost?
29 Superannuation scams 52 Air purifiers

How to protect yourself Stay smart about air quality
32 Lost in transit 56 Smart doorbells

When your passport is lost, Who’s at the door?
stolen or damaged PASSPORT
60 Smart locks PROTECTIO
N
36 Packaging materials The best options for P32
A review of recyclability a keyless entry
CHOICE magazine provides a selection of our top product reviews. We can’t always include all the models we’ve
tested, but you’ll always find the products that scored the best. To view complete results for all our tests, go to
choice.com.au, or call Customer Service on 1800 069 552 to add full online access to your membership package.
CHOICE APRIL 2023 /// 3

4
The latest consumer ACCC inquiry into interest rates

news in brief
IN THIS ISSUE: A ustralian households have more than $1.3 trillion sitting
in bank accounts at the moment, and for years the
interest we’ve been earning on all that money has generally
not topped the one percent mark. More recently, as the
official cash rate climbed from 0.1% to 3.35%, the earning
power of our collective capital has grown.
For many home loan customers, however, any increase
in savings rates has been offset by a rise in mortgage
rates. And many banks that have increased their home
loan rates have not applied corresponding interest rate
increases to their savings accounts, leaving customers
of these banks falling further behind. Now the Australian
p6 Widespread support for Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has
BNPL regulation decided to look into this disparity.
SOME SMALL INCREASES, BUT CONDITIONS APPLY
The ACCC has announced it will “investigate how banks
set interest rates for savers, including differences in interest
rate increases between bank deposits and home loans”.
While mortgage rates have gone up, the ACCC says
“the increases in interest rates on deposit products
appear to have typically been smaller and less consistent.
In many cases, banks have only applied increases in the
cash rate to some of their deposit products, often with
conditions attached”.
p8 US court case could change WHAT THE ACCC WILL INVESTIGATE
the rules of the internet The information the ACCC inquiry will likely be asking banks
to provide will include:
• interest rates on retail deposit products and any terms
and conditions that apply
• the strategies used by banks to set these rates
• how terms and conditions on interest rates relate
to the rise of the official cash rate
• the level of competition between banks in setting rates
• the degree to which banks use customer deposits
to provide credit.
Encouragingly, the inquiry has an additional objective,
according to ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb. “We will
also examine the extent to which consumers can benefit
p9 BetDeluxe fined from shopping around and switching, and what other
for gambling spam barriers are stopping consumers from seeking a better
return on their savings,” she says.
COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES VS BANK PROFITS
“The community expects much better from Australia’s
banks,” says CHOICE head of policy Patrick Veyret. “Many
people, including older Australians, rely on the interest
earnings of their deposit and savings accounts to make
ends meet. As cost-of-living pressures persist, the banks
are unfairly profiting off people.”
A report to the Treasury on the findings of the inquiry
p10 First look: is due on 1 December 2023.
Apple iPad 10th gen ANDY KOLLMORGEN

CHECKOUT
$3 million penalty for misleading

employment ads on Google
T he penalty for Employsure, a company which
misrepresented themselves as a government agency,
has gone up to $3 million after a Federal Court decision.
The case brought on by the ACCC originally led to
a $1 million fine being imposed, but the full Federal
Court found that penalty was inadequate to deter
future misleading advertisements by Employsure and
similar companies.
The ACCC received more than 100 complaints about the
misleading ads that were posted on Google.
“We were concerned that many small business
operators were misled by Employsure’s ads into thinking we believed the conduct, the company’s size and lengthy
IMAGES: GETTY
they were getting help and advice from a government period during which they ran the misleading ads meant
agency,” ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb says. “We a higher penalty was warranted.”
appealed the earlier $1 million penalty order because JARNI BLAKKARLY
Lender fined for COVID

credit misconduct
T he Federal Court has ordered ClearLoans to pay more than
$6 million in penalties after it found the company had engaged
in financial hardship misconduct and breached consumer credit
protections in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fines come after the company admitted it had failed to act
honestly and fairly when dealing with borrowers facing hardship
between 2017 and 2020. The court case was commenced by
ASIC, which noted its action came at a time when many people
were experiencing vulnerability. “ASIC took this matter to court
at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many consumers
were experiencing financial hardship,” says deputy chair Sarah Court.
“This was a credit business that we believed was not fairly
assessing hardship requests as required by law, and in many
cases was making it more difficult for consumers to get back on
track by failing to notify them of direct debit defaults.”
ClearLoans owned up to various forms of misconduct, including
failing to properly respond to and communicate with customers
facing financial hardship and not giving borrowers who had defaulted
on their loan enough time to rectify the situation before commencing
enforcement action against them.
LIAM KENNEDY
Correction
n the washing machines review in February CHOICE, the Shop Ethical rating for Electrolux was given as D. This
I should have been C (Praises, some criticism), on par with AEG, Kmart and Westinghouse. Fisher & Paykel was
incorrectly listed as C when it should have been F (Criticisms). Bosch, which was omitted, has a Shop Ethical rating of
D (Criticism, some praise). For more on Shop Ethical ratings, where we get them and what they mean, see page 73.

6
Widespread support for

stronger consumer protections
A t the end of last year, the Federal Treasury
called for submissions into the regulation
of buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans. This February,
it was revealed that national banks including ANZ
and Westpac, and industry groups including the
Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia
and the Australian Retail Credit Association,
support bringing BNPL providers under the full
regulation of the National Credit Act. This change
would close the lending loopholes that have allowed
buy now, pay later companies to evade important
consumer protections.
The full regulation of the BNPL industry now has
widespread support from a number of banks, industry
groups, consumer advocates, charities, community
groups, legal centres, family violence organisations,
financial counselling practitioners and others. If
you’d like to receive regular updates and to join the
campaign for stronger consumer protections, visit
choice.com.au/closelendingloopholes.
YELENA NAM
Unfair, but not illegal

I n Australia, many companies are engaging in
unfair business practices which harm consumers
but aren’t currently illegal. This means that, as
cost-of-living pressures rise, there’s little to stop
people being harmed by unfair practices, such as
web ‘dark patterns’, used by online retailers designed
to trick you into spending more, or charging a ‘loyalty
penalty’ where existing customers get a worse deal
than new customers.
Australia is currently lagging behind many other
regions including the UK, US and EU, which already
have laws against these unfair practices. The result
is that Australian consumers are left exposed with
little to deter businesses, whose models are based
on unfair practices, from taking advantage.
That’s why CHOICE is investigating unfair business
practices and campaigning for an unfair trading
prohibition. An unfair trading prohibition would close
this gap in the consumer law for Australians, and
help rebuild trust between Australian consumers
and businesses. We’re currently building a strong
evidence base of unfair business practices in
Australia. Please send any examples you come
across to campaigns@choice.com.au.
ALEX SÖDERLUND

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Product safety pledge

seems to be working
O nline businesses that sign the
ACCC’s product safety pledge
have committed to trying to prevent
unsafe products from being sold on
their platforms. It’s voluntary, but
some big operations have signed
up, including Amazon Australia,
Catch.com.au, eBay Australia and
MyDeal.com.au. And the pledge
seems to be making a difference.
According to the ACCC, more than
15,000 potentially unsafe products
were delisted by online marketplaces
during the previous financial year, and
98% of take-down requests initiated
by the regulator were actioned within
two days. Signatories also used
artificial intelligence, image recognition
and automated scanning to prevent
hundreds of thousands of unsafe
products from being listed for sale
in the first place, the ACCC reports.
“Consumers need to be aware
that banned, recalled, non-compliant
and unsafe products continue to be
available for sale online,” says ACCC
deputy chair Catriona Lowe.
“While platforms quickly removed
unsafe products after we contacted
them, we would like to see fewer
unsafe and non-compliant products ASIC takes aim at RACQ
being listed in the first place. If you’re
selling goods online, it’s your
responsibility to check the products
C orporate regulator ASIC has launched
civil penalty proceedings in the Federal
Court against RACQ, claiming they misled
are safe and comply with Australian consumers on pricing discounts on certain insurance products. Between
product safety laws.” February 2017 and March 2022, ASIC alleges the product disclosure
ANDY KOLLMORGEN statements on some RACQ insurance products included “discounts”
which were not actually available when premiums were added on.
ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court says, “The failure by insurers to deliver
on pricing promises is a key priority for ASIC and we will continue to take
enforcement action to hold insurers to account in this regard.”
Court also notes that it is an industry-wide issue.
“RACQ is not the only insurer to have reported pricing failures to us,”
she says. “ASIC has previously taken action against Insurance Australia
Limited, and we consider there needs to be a general improvement in
insurers’ risk and compliance management arrangements to ensure
robust systems and controls are in place, enabling insurers to deliver
IMAGES: GETTY
on their pricing promises.”

JARNI BLAKKARLY

8
Big tech served by

eSafety Commissioner
C hild exploitation material isn’t
just hidden on the dark web, but
unfortunately gets shared on everyday
digital platforms too. Australia’s eSafety
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has
served Google, Twitter, TikTok, Discord
and Twitch with legal notices, ordering
them to explain what they’re doing to
combat the sharing of this material on
their platforms.
The eSafety Commissioner also
set a deadline for responses. If they
fail to comply, the tech giants face
up to $700,000 in fines. Grant hit Apple, Grant will also be asking these companies about the
Microsoft, Meta (Facebook/WhatsApp), role their algorithms play in amplifying this dangerous
Snap and Omegle with similar notices in 2022. content. With decreasing human involvement in curating,
Time will tell whether these threats motivate these moderating, and monitoring social media content, big tech’s
companies to take action. The Commissioner chastised algorithms need to be scrutinised with consumer standards
Microsoft and Apple for not doing enough since receiving on safety online.
their warnings. RAFI ALAM
US Supreme Court case could

rewrite the rules of the internet
T he United States Supreme Court is hearing
two cases that could have a global impact
on the accountability of digital platforms and the
rules of the internet. The issue at stake is whether
digital platforms should be liable for the content
they publish. The longstanding legislation
Section 230 has prevented big tech companies
such as Google and Facebook from being held
responsible for harmful content shared on
their platforms, making them hosts rather
than publishers.
In the case of Google v Gonzalez, the court
will determine if the rule applies to content
‘recommended’ by Google, via recommender
algorithms, as distinct from content published
directly by users of the platform and hosted
by the platform. The family of Nohemi Gonzalez
who was killed in a terrorist attack coordinated by
the Islamic State (IS) is hoping to overturn a ruling
that Google was not liable for recommending IS
recruitment videos. If successful, the ruling is likely to
have a significant global impact and lead to further legal
action, as most digital platforms are based in the US and
recommender algorithms power social media platforms.
KATE BOWER

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Gambling spammers
pay the price
E ver notice that when you unsubscribe
from marketing emails you
sometimes keep getting them? It’s in
breach of spam and telemarketing laws,
but it happens nonetheless. It’s even
worse when the spam keeps coming
from online gambling businesses,
and you can’t opt out. But there can
be consequences.
In late February, the Australian
Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA) found that BetDeluxe sent more
than 104,000 SMS messages without
an unsubscribe function and more than
820,000 SMS messages that didn’t
include the sender’s contact details.
BetDeluxe ended up paying a $50,172
infringement notice.
“We received complaints from
a significant number of people, with
many expressing their frustration about
receiving promotions for gambling,” says
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.
“Any spam can be annoying, but when
gambling is involved, the risk of financial
IMAGES: ESAFETY.GOV.AU / GETTY
and emotional harm can be pronounced,

so it’s important that wagering operators
take compliance very seriously.”
In February 2022, Sportsbet paid
$3.7 million in penalties and customer
WA tells consumers to get
refunds following an ACMA spam up to date on pet protections
enforcement investigation.
ANDY KOLLMORGEN W estern Australia’s consumer protection agency is urging pet
buyers to get familiar with their consumer rights following a spike
in complaints about animal purchases. WA’s Commerce Minister Sue
Ellery launched an awareness campaign to highlight the protections
available to pet owners, saying it’s “important for Western Australians
to know that they have rights when they buy a new pet, like they would
with any other purchase”.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, pets must match the description
as advertised, be of acceptable quality, be free of significant health
issues and live a healthy lifespan that is expected of the breed.
Traders must also meet additional promises to purchasers based on
animal pedigree, condition, performance or characteristics. But Ellery
warns the existing protections only apply when consumers buy from
established sellers.
“To make sure your new pet comes with consumer guarantees,
be sure to purchase from reputable local breeders or pet stores,
as consumer guarantees do not apply to ad-hoc, one-off purchases
from a private seller,” she says.
LIAM KENNEDY

10
Apple iPad 10th-generation

T he iPad 10 sits in Apple’s tablet lineup just above
the lower-cost iPad ninth generation, which
Apple has kept as a budget option. The iPad
attach magnetically. The protective back includes
a fold-out support stand, while the front includes
the keyboard, with a new 14-key function row
10 is faster, has a bigger screen, USB-C and trackpad, but no backlighting. We
connectivity and a new keyboard option, The found the new keyboard a pleasure to
but is stuck with the original first- front-facing use, but the lack of backlighting can
generation Apple Pencil that now FaceTime camera be annoying in low-light situations.
needs an adapter. has moved Both front and back cameras are
The iPad 10 looks like the more now 12 megapixel (MP). The front is
from the short
expensive iPad Air, with a 10.9-inch Ultra Wide and the rear camera is
edge to the long
Liquid Retina screen, slim screen borders Wide and handles 4K video and 240fps
and a power button with built-in Touch ID edge slow motion video. This is a noticeable
fingerprint reader located on the top edge. jump up from the iPad 9’s 8MP rear camera
The connection port has been changed to and 1080p video.
USB-C, making it compatible with other USB-C Apple’s A14 Bionic chip is a generation up from the
devices, such as external storage and screens. iPad 9’s A13 Bionic. We found the speed boost
However, like the iPad 9, the iPad 10 uses the first- noticeable and it didn’t reduce battery life.
generation Apple Pencil which has a Lightning The iPad 10 also gets Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which
connector. So you’ll need the new USB-C to Apple we found much faster in our tests than the iPad 9’s
Pencil Adapter. This is included in the box if you buy Wi-Fi 5. Plus, there’s now 5G (sub-6GHz) capability
a new 1st-gen Apple Pencil ($159), or available for cellular models.
separately for $15. Check your budget and crunch some numbers
The front-facing FaceTime camera has moved before buying. The iPad 10 (in blue, pink, silver or
from the short edge to the long edge – a first for any yellow) starts at $749 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only model
iPad – making it much better for video conferencing or $999 for 256GB storage. With cellular added it’s
when in landscape mode. The dual microphones and $999 for 64GB, or $1249 for 256GB.
stereo speakers are also more useful in landscape For comparison, the iPad 9 had a price rise in
orientation. 2022 and now starts at $549 for 64GB Wi-Fi
The new design Magic Keyboard Folio ($399) is only and $799 for 256GB.
specific to the iPad 10 and comes in two parts that STEVE DUNCOMBE FIR
S
LOOKT
APPLE IPAD
10TH-GENERATION
PRICE $749
CONTACT apple.com/au/ipad

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Time for banks to step up and block scams,

says Consumer Action Law Centre
T he Melbourne-based Consumer Action Law
Centre (Consumer Action) has used a
consumer round table in Canberra to call on banks
to step up and do more to prevent payments to
scammers and reimburse scam victims.
“I am delighted Minister [Stephen] Jones is
taking this scams crisis seriously and call on him
to use the government’s powers to incentivise
Australia’s banks to do more, act now, and
safeguard customers’ money and reimburse
victims when a scam is happening,” says
Consumer Action CEO Stephanie Tonkin.
According to the ACCC, Australians lost a
staggering $4 billion to scammers last year,
translating to $11 million every day. ASIC research
also reveals that only around 13% of scam victims
report the scam.
“Australia is now a soft target for scammers,
that’s why everyone we know is being targeted
by increasingly sophisticated scams – but we
know some of these could be stopped by the
introduction of more robust systems,” says Tonkin.
JARNI BLAKKARLY
YourSuper comparison tool helping people retire with more
I n 2021, the government introduced the YourSuper

comparison tool, which lets you compare some
super products on fees and long-term performance,
There was some room for improvement, however.
Some testers thought the tool was hard to find on
MyGov and on the ATO website. Also, participants
making it easier than ever to compare super products. unfamiliar with super found it a bit challenging
The government has recently begun reviewing to use and indicated that the tool should present
the tool. To understand how people use it, Super information in a way that’s easier to understand.
Consumers Australia commissioned market research Super Consumers Australia director Xavier
with 24 Australians to see what they thought of the O’Halloran says the government should do more to
tool and whether it could be improved. help people find and use the tool. “Our research
Only a couple of the participants had heard shows that when people use it, they find it helpful.
of the tool before, but most thought it was useful. The government should ensure it’s promoted properly
One participant described the tool as “fantastic” and is easy to use. Some simple tweaks would allow
and said “I wish we had this … thirty years ago”. more people to find out if their fund is doing a good
Participants also had a high level of trust in the tool job building their retirement income.”
because of its independence. DANIEL HERBORN
IMAGES: GETTY
12
Low-fee debit cards to use overseas

W hat could be easier than using your bank card when
travelling overseas? Many everyday debit cards
are now on the Visa or Mastercard network, which means
they’re accepted at multiple retailers and ATMs in most
countries. They’re also a good option for international
online purchases.
If you have a low-fee debit card that doesn’t charge
a currency conversion fee, the exchange rate you get is
set by Visa or Mastercard and is usually better than the
high exchange rate margins set by travel money cards.
Low-fee debit cards are also a good option for ATM
withdrawals in comparison with low-fee credit cards,
as they don’t charge a cash advance fee. Also, there’s
no interest rate charge as you are using your own money.
We found several low-fee debit cards that don’t charge
a foreign exchange fee or fees for purchases or ATM
withdrawals, and also don’t charge a monthly account fee.
These are:
O Bankwest Easy (Platinum)
O Citibank Plus
O Macquarie (Platinum)
Telstra called out for not
O Suncorp Carbon Insights
supporting priority customers
T
O Suncorp Everyday Options elstra has promised to do more to help
O Ubank Spend (with Ubank save account) vulnerable customers receive extra services,
O Up Everyday. in a court-enforceable undertaking to the
The major banks have some accounts with debit cards communications watchdog following an investigation.
that don’t charge account-keeping fees or waive them The ACMA found Telstra had failed on hundreds of
if you make a monthly deposit of a few thousand dollars occasions to follow up and provide more information
(such as your salary). But they’re not a good option for to customers who had enquired about receiving
using overseas or for international purchases as they priority assistance, and that they hadn’t provided
charge overseas ATM fees and foreign exchange fees. enough support to customers already receiving
UTA MIHM this assistance.
As a condition of its carrier licence, Telstra has
to provide priority service to customers who have
a life-threatening medical condition, ensuring they
have access to a working phone and that any faults
are quickly fixed. But ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin
says her organisation’s investigation found clients
eligible for this help weren’t getting it.
“Some of these customers were having problems
with their Telstra fixed-line service at the same time
as dealing with significant medical issues,” O’Loughlin
says. “These are some of Telstra’s most vulnerable
customers and the telco must have adequate systems
in place to make sure these obligations are met.”
The ACMA has accepted the telco’s undertaking
to fix how it provides priority assistance, but may
pursue action in the Federal Court if Telstra doesn’t
follow through on this promise.
LIAM KENNEDY

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RANTS AND RAVES

Getting the privacy protections Australia deserves
D oes everything feel a lot less

private lately?
Maybe you’re an Optus or Medibank
These profiles are a hot commodity
for businesses that want to hound you
with marketing, emails, and content.
collect. It’s great to put the onus on
preventing harm back on businesses,
but what “fair and reasonable” means
customer whose data fell into the Unsurprisingly, Australia’s laws is left vague. There also isn’t as many
hands of a cybercrook. Or maybe your and regulations around data are directives on the use of automated
phone number seems to be on every outdated, mostly from a time when decision-making as we’d like to
scammer list in the country. Or we were more worried about who see, even though we know the
you’ve noticed how that shop was snooping through harm algorithmic discrimination,
you visited just once now our windows than our personalised prices, and tracking
seems to haunt every Windows. But change and targeting have on consumers.
Facebook ad you get. Unsurprisingly, is on its way. The We’re also interested to see how
And you wouldn’t Attorney-General’s they’ll make sure the regulator – the
our laws and
be wrong. With the Department has Office of the Australian Information
digital world getting regulations finally finished its Commissioner – can do its job.
bigger, our personal around data are long-awaited review OAIC gets a lot of new enforcement
data is being stored, into the Privacy Act, and rule-making powers, but is still
outdated
analysed, and used delivering a mammoth severely underfunded. Hopefully the
by more and more 116 recommendations upcoming May Budget has some
companies every day. to reform our privacy laws. extra dollars to give the privacy
It isn’t just the usual tech culprits We’ve combed through the report’s regulator some teeth for its bite.
anymore, either. Whether it’s applying 320 pages and found a lot of good Australia is lagging behind the
for a rental online, or using a loyalty in there: changes to definitions that international community, and getting
card at a Coles or Woolies, data is no protect a lot more of your information, up to speed with best practice privacy
longer just big business for big tech – removing exemptions for small regulations will give consumers and
it’s a part of our offline lives too. businesses, a tiered penalty system, businesses the support we need in
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. and letting everyday people pursue a data-driven economy. By the time
Under the surface, obscure data action against businesses that invade you read this, we’ll have sent our
brokers buy and sell your data their privacy. thoughts on the report to the
every day. Worryingly, some of these There are also a few ambiguities Department, and hope you’ll join
data brokers can build a profile of and gaps, though. The review us in pushing our politicians to get the
you based on different data sources proposes a fair and reasonable test privacy protections Australia deserves.
– to the point of re-identifying you. for the kinds of data businesses can RAFI ALAM
IMAGES: GETTY
14
ASK THE EXPERTS ASK US

Email your question to
Got a niggling question our team can help with? asktheexperts@choice.com.au
or write to Ask the Experts,
CHOICE, 57 Carrington Rd,
My partner and I were booking holiday
Q flights at the same time. I was using the
Qantas App on my phone paying with a credit
Marrickville, NSW 2204.
You can also tap into the ‘brains
trust’ at www.choice.community.
card, and she was using the Qantas website to
log into her account, booking her flights through
the ‘Manage my account’ link and paying with the
flight credits ($1200) she had from a cancelled
flight. The total for my flights was $860 and hers
was $1332. This figure included a $99 fee for flight
change from her original cancelled booking, so the
actual flight cost was $1233. Seeing this enormous
discrepancy I checked on the Qantas website and
found the price that I paid was available, i.e. $860.
This is clearly unethical, but is it legal?
CHOICE travel expert
A Jodi Bird: We’ve had several
reports of this type of pricing
behaviour from Qantas.
Businesses are able to set their
own prices, provided they do not
mislead or deceive consumers
(among other rules, including not
engaging in price fixing or anti-competitive conduct;
or discriminating based on sexuality, age, race etc.).
So while it might not be illegal, it is unfair. More
needs to be done to stamp out unfair practices from
businesses, and that’s something CHOICE will be
working on over the coming year. Meanwhile, the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
(ACCC) has monitored airline pricing, so it may be
worth lodging a complaint with them, as well as your
state or territory fair trading body.
In a previous issue you recommended the LG OLED42C2PSA

Q 42-inch TV. I’d like a larger TV though, and was wondering if the
48-inch in the same model would be the same quality?
CHOICE TV expert Denis Gallagher: It’s
A impossible for us to test all sizes in all series, but
we try to cover a range of display sizes to give members
the best idea of what to expect. Past test experience
has shown that a 65-inch TV in the same series will
deliver very similar performance to a 55-inch TV and
sometimes a 75-inch TV, if it was produced in the same
country. As such, I would feel confident in saying that
the 48-inch model of the same series OLED will deliver very similar
performance to the 42-inch model we tested.

ASK THE EXPERTS
The company that’s organising the installation of our new

Q residential solar energy system has asked me to have 10 to 12
roof tiles available should the installer happen to break any tiles while
installing the new solar system. Our house’s roof tiles are inspected
once or twice each year: I am advised if any tiles are cracked and need
replacing. All roof tiles should, therefore, be sound. Shouldn’t the
replacement of broken tiles be the responsibility of the installers?
CHOICE solar expert Chris Barnes: It’s our
A understanding that the solar installer is responsible
for fixing any broken tiles that occur as a result of the
solar installation. It’s not uncommon for a few tiles to
get broken with the installers walking on the roof, drilling
When you tested pyrolytic
Q ovens, did you calculate the
cost per clean, or the total energy
holes and so on, and it’s common practice for them to ask
to have a few spare tiles on hand for that reason, so they
can immediately replace any they break. If you don’t have
use per clean? I’d like to compare any spare tiles, or don’t have enough, the installer may ask you to source
it to the cost and unpleasantness some, or may be able to locate some themselves. They might not be able to
of using chemical cleaners, to find exact matches, in which case it should be possible to swap tiles around
help me decide if I want to buy and make sure that any non-matching tiles go underneath the panels where
a pyrolytic oven. they’ll be out of sight. It’s good that you’ve had your roof inspected, and
CHOICE oven expert Fiona
A Mair: It’s not a cost we’ve
measured in the past, but we did
therefore should have a written report showing the current condition of the
tiles. That will certainly help in the event of any arguments about broken tiles.
a test run on the one pyrolytic oven

we have available at the moment.
Energy use during a pyrolytic cleaning
cycle running it on the high setting for
two hours is approximately $1 to $2,
depending on the degree of cleaning
required. And it’s not something that
you do very often, say two or three
times a year, depending on how
often one cooks fatty foods, so it’s not
a large cost. Overall, its running costs
for cleaning are cheaper than buying
a chemical cleaner at the supermarket
or hiring a professional oven cleaner.
IMAGES: GETTY

16
YOUR SAY
If you’ve had a bad experience, been ripped off or scammed, tell us and help
CONTACT US!
Email us at
other CHOICE members avoid the same traps. If you’ve had a great response yoursay@choice.com.au
to a complaint you’ve taken to a manufacturer or retailer, our members want to
or write to Your Say,
know about that too! Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
CHOICE, 57 Carrington Road,
Marrickville, NSW 2204.
Costly switch
hile there is a general move to smart
W meters (‘Power Up’, CHOICE Mar 23),
in NSW at least, the changeover may not be
as straightforward as expected. My supplier
Endeavour Energy/Origin advised they wished
to change my meter, but left a note: “Customer
will need to initiate Level 2 electrician as fuses
are in metal enclosure.” My house was built in
1960 in accordance with the rules then, which
had the service fuse in a cast-iron enclosure.
There was no problem with the fuse’s temporary
removal when the original meters marked
“Sydney County Council” were replaced in early
1970s by otherwise identical meters marked
“Prospect County Council”, or more recently
when the failed off-peak controller was replaced,
but my enquiries to a Level 2 electrician indicated
that the cost to replace the fuse enclosure would
now be upwards of $300 (more than my quarterly
bill) and at my expense.
There would be plenty of houses built around or for their removal. People wishing to change to a smart
before the 1960s with service fuses in metal enclosures, meter should look at their switchboard before making
and it seems sad that the skill required to qualify for any arrangements that could be costly.
Level 2 – a full-time, eight-week course – is necessary Roger Anderson, Dundas, NSW
In mid 2018, I had a top-of-

the-range Zip tap, with hot,
cold and sparkling water options,
installed by a Zip technician. Less
than five years later it stopped
working and required full replacement.
Zip offered to do this at 50% of the
current price, which would have
worked out to $3750.
The tap looked great and I loved
it while it worked, but one would
expect such a high-end item to last
at least eight years. You can see why
they make the warranty only three
years. Caveat emptor.
Kevin Tanner, Potts Point, NSW

YOUR SAY
CHOICE SOCIAL MEDIA Join the conversation

online. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our own forum, CHOICE
Community. This month: second-hand appliances, dishwasher tips and more.
Community Alison V: From our experience, hard

Bank of Queensland (BOQ) choice.community water does not do a good job in a
offers several savings dishwasher. Results were fantastic
account products only available What are your after we installed a whole-house
through their MyBOQ app. experiences with water softener – and no need for rinse
The BOQ website and advertising second-hand appliances? aid. Also, many people are unaware
claim it to be a world-class mobile @phb: We have bought a number of that most modern rangehoods have
banking service. However, I have second-hand small appliances over smaller filters which benefit from
experienced only frustration, the years. Our most recent purchase a wash at monthly intervals.
uncertainty and an unreliable has been a bread machine.
network, and have even been Why do we buy second-hand? Well Twitter
unable to access my own savings for one, they are cheaper and secondly, @choiceaustralia
for up to seven days. The app to reduce e-waste. It is amazing (or
constantly comes up with error disappointing) how many perfectly Which items do you
codes, network outages and good appliances are thrown out keep in the fridge –
technical issues that require because they are no longer wanted. eggs, sauce, berries, apples?
contacting their call centre, only @audlin: Purchased a refrigerator, @jboyded: All. When you live in the
to be told by customer service a standalone freezer and a washing muggy tropics they go off too quickly.
that they cannot resolve any issues machine second hand. The condition @JuliaIrwinator: Eggs and berries
because they do not belong to that was as good as new. Each appliance because they last longer, sauce
department. I have used several was under three years old. because it says on the bottle:
mobile banking apps and this one @syncretic: I haven’t bought one Refrigerate after opening.
is the worst. for quite a while so I can’t be specific @Vintuitive: Eggs in the fridge.
Vincent Lien, Kelmscott, WA but factory seconds can be very good Makes them last longer.
value. Things like fridges that have
Your article ‘Tricky business’ cosmetic damage, like a ding in the Instagram
(CHOICE Feb 23) was door, can be bought at a considerable @choiceaustralia
an excellent summary of the discount. I recall that these often came
psychological marketing tactics with new manufacturer’s warranty. What bathroom
used by grocery stores. Another renovation traps would
way to save at the supermarket is Facebook you like to avoid?
to never grocery-shop when you @choiceaustralia @throughthelenz20: Doing a
are hungry and things you might cosmetic renovation is a waste
not need look more enticing. What are your of money. Do it properly and it
Blake Stanwick, Berwick, Vic dishwasher tips? will last decades.
Lorraine R: My dog does the @felixting6: What started as
prewash. I use a tablet and just a washer replacement turned
chuck it in anywhere. into a hissy fit with a hammer
Samantha M: Throw the tablet in and I completely rebuilt a sink
the cutlery basket. Works better unit, bespoke drawers and tiled
every time! the back wall. No experience,
no knowledge. Ended up great!!
It was easy. Go for it!
@traveljewellery: Avoid dodgy
IMAGES: GETTY
tradespeople.
18
THE
DARK SIDE
OF THE WEB
Personal information stolen in data breaches often
ends up on the dark web, but what does that mean? NEED TO KNOW
Andy Kollmorgen speaks to cyber experts to find out } The first order of business
for cybercriminals is often
W
hen Medibank began associate dean for computing and to extort ransom payments
informing customers security at Edith Cowan University, from the companies that they
that their personal data tells CHOICE there is no firm definition have hacked.
had been released on of the term dark web, but generally
} Buying and selling stolen
the dark web following a major hack of it means websites that are hidden
the health fund late last year, few would away and can’t be googled. data on the dark web is often
have known quite what to do with “The internet is this massive network a secondary objective, but
the information. of computers all over the globe, it can have far-reaching
What, after all, is the dark web? And serving up all kinds of content,” consequences.
what’s going to happen to your data Haskell-Dowland says. } CHOICE talks to two
if it ends up there? “And only a very small proportion of
cybersecurity experts
The cybercriminals made off with it really fits into that definition of what
the names, dates of birth, addresses, we think of as the internet, the public about what goes on in
phone numbers and email addresses web, the stuff that we browse.” the netherworld known
of around 5.1 million current and former “When people generally talk about as the dark web.
Medibank customers, along with the the dark web, they are referring to
health claims data (potentially revealing that dangerous, illicit place where
diagnoses and procedures) of about drugs are sold, and data is traded, have not been made easily accessible.”
160,000 customers. and criminals chat with each other,” Haskell-Dowland likens websites on
How much of this has been posted Haskell-Dowland says. the dark web to telephone numbers
on the dark web remains unclear. “But things on the dark web that are not listed in the directory.
Paul Haskell-Dowland, a professor can be quite innocent. They can just If you know the number, you can
of cyber security practice and be websites that aren’t indexed; that access the website.

DATA SECURITY
“A lot of the dark web is just like But Haskell-Dowland suspects option of selling the data to other
that. It’s perfectly easy to access that when Medibank says the dark criminals, and probably taking
these sites in a web browser, it’s just web, it means the “chat channels” payment in bitcoin or another
that you’ve got no idea how to find cybercriminals access through special cryptocurrency.
them,” Haskell-Dowland says. browsers on hidden networks. In November 2022, Home Affairs
Terminology referring to the dark “They will list the data on these Minister Clare O’Neil told media
web can vary. Unindexed content sites so they can make it clear to their outlets that the government was
is also known as the ‘deep web’, victims that they have the data and considering a ban on ransom
and the dark web can be defined the means of dissemination.” payments to cybercriminals.
as sites that exist on ‘dark nets’ that UNSW Canberra cyber security
can only be accessed using special Resorting to plan B expert Nigel Phair says the dark
networks and browsers. One of In the Medibank case, the web is a messy place full of “streams
these is known as the Tor browser, cybercriminals were hoping for of information” without the user-
which uses layers of encryption, a reported $15 million ransom friendly design elements of the
or ‘onion routing’, to hide the source payment in exchange for agreeing visible web. You need to be a pretty
and destination of information to not release the data on the dark good cybercriminal to know what to
accessed on the web. Tor is also web, probably the easiest way for do with the stolen data.
used for legitimate purposes. the criminals to monetise the hack. “The criminals didn’t get the money
But, in line with a growing trend they wanted, so the next best way
Criminal ‘chat channels’ among corporate hack targets, of monetising the customer data
So where is the data stolen in last Medibank refused to pay, not least would be to sell it to other criminals
year’s Medibank breach being held? because trusting criminals to hold – probably for a dollar or less per
Medibank and the Australian Federal up their end of the bargain and credential – or use it themselves.
Police (which is investigating the delete the data is a dicey prospect. And there’s such a large volume of
incident) are keeping this confidential That leaves the cybercriminals data. It depends where you are in
lest they tip off the hackers. with the probably less lucrative the value chain and what you want.
IMAGES: GETTY/ PLAY.GOOGLE.COM/

For some criminals, “These criminal How you might find out your
having lots of gangs that engage in data has been used
credentials is great Criminal illicit cyber activities Here are some of the ways people
because they can are every bit as have discovered that criminals were
use it for identity
organisations also organised and every using their stolen data, according to
theft and those use the data to set bit as capable as the Australian Institute of Criminology:
sorts of things.” up convincing big businesses • Unauthorised activity on a bank
But, for and big industry,” account, credit card or credit report.
cybercriminals in
scams Haskell-Dowland says. • Receiving credit cards in the mail that
general, the first priority “They employ people they hadn’t applied for.
is to extort money from and have divisions within • Calls from debt collectors about
their victims as quickly their organisations. Many of unpaid bills that they didn’t recognise.
as possible, Phair says. them will have their own websites, • An unsuccessful credit application
“They don’t really care for the data and in some cases they’ll have their when their credit history is good.
– they care for the money. They want own PR teams.” • Receiving goods in the mail that
to get in, get the money, and get out.” they hadn’t ordered.
Better consumer protections • Losing mobile phone service
Identity theft and scams “Consumers are the real victims because it was transferred to
One of the primary concerns around of corporate cybercrime,” says an unknown device.
hacked data is identity theft – criminals CHOICE consumer data advocate • Getting a medical bill for a service
using stolen data to take out credit Kate Bower. “They are the ones they didn’t receive.
cards and loans in other people’s who live with the consequences • Having a health claim rejected
names, for instance. of scams, identity theft or the because they had unexpectedly
But criminal organisations also daily worry of not knowing who reached their benefit limit.
use the data to set up convincing has your data and what they might • Being unable to file taxes because
scams. Having a person’s real name, do with it.” a return had already been filed
address, birth date and other data CHOICE welcomes the increase in their name.
can go a long way toward pulling in penalties for serious and repeated
off an email or phone scam and breaches of the Privacy Act that
gaining access to a victim’s bank were introduced in late 2022 by the If your data is hacked:
account or other assets. federal government. • Don’t respond to emails, texts
“If you’re running a call centre But Bower believes more should or phone calls that appear
scam operation, the data is valuable be done to protect consumers and to be from an organisation
because it’s got information you can their data and to hold businesses that you do business with,
use to verify that you’re purportedly accountable when cybersecurity even if they include personal
someone legitimate,” Phair says. incidents occur. details that make them look
And if you’re a big criminal “The Privacy Act review is the legitimate. Instead, contact the
organisation that collects and perfect opportunity to reassess organisation yourself to see if
keeps stolen data, you can bring the threshold for breaches of the the communications are valid.
a level of sophistication to your Act,” Bower says. • Don’t pay up in the event of
scams that significantly increases “Currently, only ‘serious or an extortion attempt, where
their effectiveness. repeated breaches’ of the Act criminals threaten to publish
Financial data is relatively short-lived, incur a penalty, meaning that very personal details or photos
since people can cancel credit cards few businesses are ever held to of you unless you hand over
and open up new bank accounts. account for unlawful behaviour your money.
But real names, birth dates, email that harms consumers. CHOICE • If you think you’ve responded
addresses and other more permanent is campaigning for a stronger to a scam communication,
data can have a long shelf life, which is regulator with more powers, as fill out a get help form from
why victims of data hacks (along with well as changes to the wording the government-funded
everyone else) should always be on of the Act that would mean any service ID Care (idcare.org
guard. There’s no telling what it might breach of the Act could attract or 1800 595 160).
be used for in the years to come. a penalty or enforcement action.”

DATA BREACHES
THE PRIVACY
ISSUE
} If you’ve been caught

in a data breach, stay calm
Data defence but act quickly.

} Some breaches are
minor and low-risk, but
Scammers can use your information to steal from you others can be extremely
or your loved ones. Alex Angove-Plumb explains what serious and high-risk.
to do if you’ve been caught in a data breach } You can’t eliminate risk
entirely, but there are steps
you can take to increase
fter the Optus data breach unimportant account, that’s possibly
A in September last year that

affected up to 9.8 million
people (almost 40% of the
Australian population), consumers
are more aware than ever that their
a quick fix. For some other contact
information such as your phone
number, you’ll also need to be wary
of scams.
But if the breach includes financial
your online security.
changed right away and you should

private information isn’t always safe or medical information, official add those accounts to your list
in the hands of the companies they documents or ID, account login of potentially compromised data.
share it with. details you use for multiple services, Some priority password changes
Data breaches can be unsettling or a large amount of personal include financial accounts, email,
and inconvenient at best and information, you might need to clear insurance and health and government
a serious security threat to you your schedule for the next hour services, but use your own judgement
(and sometimes those around you) or more and stay vigilant for the to think of others you might have.
at worst. foreseeable future. Social media accounts are also
If you find out you’ve been part of a juicy target for hackers because
a breach, act quickly. Depending on Make new passwords they give access to a lot of personal
the nature of the breach, you’ll need and PINs information, as well as allowing direct
to follow certain steps. Change the password for the affected communication with your friends.
IMAGE: GETTY
If the stolen data only includes account immediately. If you use that If a password change triggers
simple information such as your password (or a similar one) for any a prompt to sign out of that account
username and password for an other accounts, they also need to be on all your other devices, say yes.

22
Don’t give personal information

to anyone who contacts you over the
phone, messaging services or email.
It’s best to (politely) tell the person
on the other end you’d feel more
comfortable going through official
channels. They might be able to
provide you with a reference number
to speed things along.
For free advice and phone
consultations from specialised identity
and cyber security counsellors, you
can contact IDCare (idcare.org or 1800
595 160), which is a nonprofit national
identity and cyber support service for
Australia and New Zealand. IDCare is
a registered charity and is featured on
the Australian Government’s Australian
Dos and don’ts for passwords and PINs Cyber Security Centre website.
O Never use the same (or similar) featured on any ‘most commonly
password or PIN for more than used passwords’ lists that do the Beware of scammers
one service. This is a huge rounds a few times a year. Common ways for scammers to
security risk. O If you write your login details get in touch are emails, phone calls
O Don’t use a single dictionary down somewhere, make sure and direct messages, but be wary
word (e.g. ‘Fridge1’) as a it’s a safe place and out of of any unsolicited communications,
password. Two unrelated words sight. Don’t keep passwords no matter who they claim to be
(‘FridgeDog1’) are easier to or PINs in an unencrypted or represent.
remember and much harder file on a connected device. Avoid sharing any personal
to crack. Even better, use Even a photo of a written-out information unless you’re the one
a passphrase (‘iloveFridgeDog1’) password can be easily found who’s initiated contact through
or turn a long but memorable by modern software. If your official channels.
phrase, such as a song lyric, into recorded password or PIN is used Also watch out for phishing
an acronym. to gain access to your accounts, attempts, where the scammer will
O Keep it impersonal. Avoid easy- the organisation in question attempt to trick you into giving away
to-guess details such as family might not be accountable. personal or financial information
or pet names. This also goes for O Password managers help keep via a fake website or by asking you
using dates, postcodes, and track of your login details and to answer security questions, among
parts of your driver’s licence can create strong, randomised other things.
or phone number as your PIN. passwords without the need
O Make it unusual. A quick web for you to remember them. Financial accounts
search will tell you if your new Most of these services are For breaches involving financial
password or elements of it are subscription-based. information, change your online
banking and PIN immediately, then
contact your institution to let them
Stick to official channels by scammers, who might have know you’ve been part of a data
It might be necessary to get in touch provided a false phone number breach. Use official channels rather
with organisations or institutions or link to a fake website. than any links or phone numbers
to manage accounts, documentation Social media accounts are a juicy provided with a data breach
and other details. target for hackers, giving access notification, which might have been
If this is the case for you, use to a lot of personal information as sent by scammers.
the official contact details on their well as direct communication with Check your purchase history or
website to avoid getting caught your friends. online statements for unusual activity

DATA BREACHES
such as unauthorised purchases Where to go for support alerts, which can include monitoring
or loans. Keep doing this for the Being affected by a major data the dark web to see if your information
near future to monitor account breach can take a toll on your mental is being traded illegally.
activity, as scammers may not target health. The Office of the Australian If you have any questions about
you right away. Information Commissioner (OAIC) has sensitive information that your
You can also request a copy or a list of suggested support resources notification didn’t cover, contact the
a ban on your credit report. If you to consider at oaic.gov.au/privacy/ organisation or institution directly.
do this, it’s best to do it with all data-breaches/data-breach-support- Sensitive information might include
three main credit reporting bodies and-resources. But you can also talk trade union memberships, criminal
in Australia: to a licensed medical professional. record, sexual orientation or practices,
Equifax – equifax.com.au/personal and some aspects of biometric
or 13 8332. How to know if you’ve been information, among other things.
Experian – experian.com.au/ part of a breach
consumer/order-credit-report or You’ll often be notified if you’ve been How to stay safe
1300 783 684. part of a data breach, but you might There’s not a whole lot you can
Illion – creditcheck.illion.com.au also like to check for yourself or sign do about the security practices
or 1300 734 806. up to alert services. of companies and institutions. You
If the organisation that has been often also have limited control over
Government-related accounts breached must comply with the what data they keep about you. But
For documents such as a licence, Australian Privacy Act, it’s obliged there are a few measures you can take.
identity card or Medicare card, get in to tell you if a data breach is likely SET UP 2FA OR MFA
touch with the respective government to cause you serious harm. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) –
agency. Explain what happened and You might read about it in the also two-factor authentication (2FA)
they should tell you how to proceed. media, particularly if it’s a large-scale and two-step verification (2SV) –
For tax-related information, contact or high-profile breach. provides a strong defence against
the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Websites like Have I Been Pwned some types of data breaches.
and they can monitor for suspicious (haveibeenpwned. This is because you need more than
activity involving your tax file number. com) and just your username and password
If any health or prescription records Firefox Monitor to log into an account – you
have been leaked, contact your health (monitor.firefox. also need an additional factor,
service provider. com) can reveal which is most-often
if your email an authentication
Be social media-savvy address has app on your phone
Your social media account might been compromised or a code received
have a lot of personal information in many known via SMS, though
that can be used to impersonate you. data breaches. the former of those
Take note of the information you’ve The Australian two is safer. Not
added to your account profile Cyber Security Centre all online accounts
and consider ways the information (ACSC) Alert Service support MFA, but many
could potentially be used, such (cyber.gov.au/acsc/ larger companies and
as confirming your identity in register) is a free, institutions do.
instances where you’ve forgotten government-operated But MFA doesn’t hide
your login details. subscription to receive your information – it only
Avoid sharing
Contact any institutions or email notifications helps to stop people
organisations you’re worried could about cyber security
any personal logging into a
be tricked by a scammer who knows alerts in Australia, information unless protected account.
those personal details. tagged with a status you’re the one If a data breach
Also check your messaging of low, medium, high who’s initiated included documents,
services and social media activity or critical. contact... financial details,
IMAGE: GETTY
to see if scammers have used your Some password medical records or

account to try and lure friends or managers and security suite personal information,
followers into a trap. software provide data breach that’s outside of MFA’s domain.

Delete my
data… please?
After the recent Optus and
Medibank data hacks, Gail became
more conscious of her data and
which companies were holding it.
The Sydney resident decided
to contact Woolworths and ask
that her data from an Everyday
Rewards Card she hadn’t used in
years was deleted and her account
closed. The company’s response
disappointed her.
And if your MFA-protected account password and different passwords Woolworths told her via email:
is caught in a data breach, you should for every account. Password “Regrettably, we can’t delete
still change your login details as managers can help with this. your Everyday Rewards account.
soon as possible. This is especially TWEAK DATA TRACKING Instead, we’ll continue to hold and
important if you use that password Many apps and online accounts have use certain information as required
or PIN for other accounts which might privacy settings you can adjust to limit or permitted by law.”
not support MFA, so change those the amount of data a company “I was pretty shocked,” she says.
too. You can read more about setting collects about you. Phone apps and “It got me thinking, you know, should
up two-factor authentication at social media services are particularly I shop there?”
choice.com.au/2FA. infamous for this, as are Google and The company did say they would
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SHARE Microsoft devices. But have a think close her account and “de-identify”
A lot of information you share online about what services you use that her personal information, but Gail says
is optional, even if data tracking is might be tracking your data and do a this response wasn’t good enough.
enabled by default. When signing up web search for how to adjust their “Really, I think we need some
to a new account, take note of which privacy settings. better regulation and to improve
details are required and which are protections,” she says.
optional (e.g. date of birth, location, Nothing’s perfectly safe
photo of your face, etc.) and consider There’s simply no way to use online No right to erasure
whether the account requires your services without incurring risk. Some Anna Johnston from Salinger Privacy
real name. of that risk is up to you, but when it says unlike other jurisdictions such
Not all online accounts will comes to data breaches, much as the European Union, Australian
have the same security of it’s out of your hands. consumers don’t have a right
levels as a larger A lot of If you do get caught in to erasure of their data embedded
company or institution. information you a breach, remember to in law.
If it’s something you share online is act quickly and calmly. She said Australians do have
plan on using only a optional, even if Research the degree of a right to ensure company data on
handful of times, you data tracking is the breach and ask for them is correct and that it’s only being
can use a disposable/ further details about used in a way that is fit for purpose.
enabled
temporary email address your stolen information But, Johnston says, these protections
using websites such as from the organisation or are vague in how they’re defined.
Temp-Mail, 10 Minute Mail, and institution. Consider the types “We don’t have an explicit right
Mail Proof, among others. If that of data that have been stolen and plan to deletion, but in some situations
company is breached, they won’t have your response accordingly. a customer may be able to argue that
your email address. Remember you can still mitigate the purpose of any data being held
BE SMART WITH PASSWORDS some threats with good security has ended and it should be deleted,”
Good password practices are crucial practices, online habits and by limiting she says.
for protecting yourself against data the information you share with online “Then we have the company
breaches. Always create a strong accounts, be it publicly or privately. defining the purposes for which they

DATA BREACHES
are going to keep, and keep using, that up personal data just to buy the Woolworths responds
data. If they say they want to keep things they need. And under In a response to our questions, a
using that for marketing, for example, Australian law, this is a lifetime cost, Woolworths spokesperson says their
it becomes difficult,” she adds. with zero right to have this data priority is “to do the right thing for our
But according to Johnston, deleted by businesses even when customers, including when it comes
any changes to a consumer’s right it’s no longer needed for their to data privacy”.
to erasure that come out of the purchase,” he says. “When an Everyday Rewards
government’s Privacy Act review are “Personal data is personal for Member requests deletion of data,
unlikely to be a catch-all solution to a reason, and businesses shouldn’t Woolworths Group takes steps to
companies holding on to your data. get to hold on to this information close their account, which involves the
“We shouldn’t need consumers when customers want it gone.” removal of any personal information
to then do the heavy lifting [of having He says Gail’s example shows that on their Everyday Rewards account,
to ask companies to delete their data]. companies like Woolworths were including their name, address, email,
The obligation should squarely be on “desperate to cling to data” despite contact number and date of birth.
the organisations to not keep data the customer’s wishes. “Once an Everyday Rewards
beyond a reasonable time period and “More and more it seems like account has been closed, personal
to not use it for purposes that the Australia’s biggest businesses are information is no longer visible to our
customer doesn’t want,” she says. becoming data brokers first, willing customer teams. However, to manage
to put their hoards of personal data and demonstrate our compliance with
Hoards of personal data above their customers’ satisfaction. laws, we may be required to continue
CHOICE senior campaigns and policy And with many of these businesses to hold personal information.
adviser Rafi Alam says increasingly mediating our access to essential “We are upfront with our
the purchase price of goods at the services like groceries and customers on this, if they
checkout isn’t just in dollars, but housing, customers contact us regarding
in data. deserve more than to Australian the deletion of their
“Whether it’s loyalty programs have their rights consumers don’t personal data,” the
at Woolies or buying Christmas gifts pushed aside spokesperson says.
have a right
online, consumers are forced to give for profits.”
to erasure of their Reform needed
data embedded Rafi Alam from
in law CHOICE says he
hopes reform of the
Privacy Act will give
Australian consumers the
same right to erasure that shoppers
in the European Union have had
for a number of years.
“Beyond this, the Privacy Act
needs to ensure all businesses
are treating their customers with
a duty of care – including ensuring
businesses only collect and keep
the data they need to give
consumers what they’re paying
for,” he says.
“We’ve seen the risk of holding
on to large amounts of personal data
in the recent Optus and Medibank
data breaches, and we’re likely to see
IMAGES: GETTY
even more egregious examples unless

the law is changed.”
JARNI BLAKKARLY

26
THE PRIVACY
ISSUE
NEED TO KNOW
} Keeping your online
activities completely private
Going incognito is very tricky; your best bet is

to limit sharing your real name
and personal information.
You can protect your identity online by focusing on } If you value your online
anonymity rather than privacy, says Alex Angove-Plumb privacy, avoid services that
collect a lot of personal data
Privacy versus anonymity
K
eeping your personal such as Google, Facebook
information and online Privacy refers to stopping people
and Microsoft.
activity to yourself is an from collecting data and tracking
ambitious goal. Large tech your activities.
companies such as Google, Facebook Anonymity is not so much about various online accounts, especially if
and Microsoft are invested in tracking avoiding being tracked, but rather they’re owned by the same company.
everything you do online – and not letting anyone know it’s you If you use Gmail as your email
sometimes offline. Even some small they’re tracking. You gain anonymity provider, you might have signed
websites and apps will do their best by making it harder to link tracking up to non-Google-owned services
to make a profit from snooping on you. data back to your real identity. by clicking that handy button to create
So, how far must you go to gain But solid privacy practice is still the account, rather than creating one
a measure of privacy, and what important because offering up less with its own login and password.
sacrifices will you have to make? data makes it harder for third parties This links the two services and
Even though it can be extremely to piece the puzzle together. allows some of your information and
difficult to avoid being tracked, activity to be traded in both directions.
you can still limit your exposure Tips for staying Many email providers (largely
by embracing a strategy of anonymity, anonymous online Google) can read and track every
rather than privacy. BEWARE THE WEAKEST LINK email you get.
We won’t venture into the territory of Your email account is a major weak Plus, new accounts will send you
becoming a totally anonymous digital link for a few reasons. Using the same a confirmation email when you sign up
wraith. That takes serious commitment, email address to sign up to multiple to them, letting a nosy email provider
skill, and specialised software, making services can allow companies to know what accounts you’ve created
it far beyond the scope of one article. realise it’s the same person behind and when.

ONLINE PRIVACY
If you want the simplicity of using STOP USING YOUR REAL NAME safe from bad actors who gain
the same email address for every Make sure visible usernames don’t access to those server files. Some
online account, don’t provide personal unnecessarily reflect your real name. services such as YouTube let you
details in your account profile or email If you want friends to be able to have multiple user profiles you can
address. And use a privacy-centric, recognise you, consider using easily switch between, meaning you
encrypted email client that doesn’t a nickname. Or you might let your can interact with different types of
gather info from your inbox such as profile photo do the talking for you, content using different identities.
ProtonMail, Mailfence and Tutanota but keep in mind facial recognition LOCK DOWN YOUR SOCIAL
among many others. technology is becoming MEDIA VISIBILITY
For services you don’t plan on using more effective and Make sure your social
much, you can create temporary email widespread, and media accounts are
addresses using websites such as regulations about Your email set to private. The
Temp-Mail (tempmail.email), 10 Minute its use have been account is level to which you
Mail (10minutemail.com) or the many criticised as unfit for can do this varies
purpose in Australia.
a major weak depending on the
other disposable email services
available (do a web search for If you change your link for a few service, but most
‘disposable email’ or similar). Using name for an account reasons give you at least some
these services has the potential added you’ve previously used control over who can
benefit of keeping you off spam lists. your real name on, this see your posts, activity
If you’re happy to juggle multiple won’t keep your details from and personal information.
email addresses, a password manager the company that runs the service Consider what information a
will help you keep track of which because they’ll remember your social account needs. Your location,
logins you’ve used for each service. original details. It also won’t keep you birthday, gender identity or education
history might not serve any purpose
for you, but could provide valuable
information to others who might not
have your best interests at heart.
And think twice before you post
personal information, even if only
your friends can see it. Just because
your account is secure doesn’t mean
theirs is.
USE A VPN
Your IP address is one of the easiest
ways to track you around the web.
Using a VPN is a cheap, safe and
simple way to get around this.
But make sure your VPN provider
is trusted and avoid free VPN
services, which on the whole have
a bad reputation for privacy (it’s been
said that if the service is free, you
tend to be the product).
KEEP CLEAR OF COOKIES
Most web browsers these days
disable unnecessary web cookies
by default, but it’s best to check in
your settings menu that third-party,
tracker and advertising cookies are
switched off.
IMAGES: GETTY
That said, there are other ways

browsers and websites can track
you, which can be harder to control.

distributions, but it’s less of an
overshare versus Windows
or Google products.
GOOGLE
You can try to limit
Google’s data tracking
and sharing, but to stay
off Google’s radar, you need
to stop using its products altogether.
This includes Android, ChromeOS
and Nest devices, as well as services
such as Gmail, Chrome, Google
Assistant and anything else owned
by this data-collection behemoth.
FACEBOOK
Even if you lock down your
Facebook account, the
Services collecting your data Signal’s conversation history can company is still collecting
MESSAGING APPS AND SERVICES be difficult or impossible to transfer a huge amount of data about you.
Most messaging services aren’t to a new device, depending on the Your best bet is to keep your real
totally private. Unless the service is devices and context. name hidden, but if you’ve ever used
end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), the It might be difficult to get your it for your profile you’re out of luck.
company running it can read your friends and family to embrace a This goes for Instagram, WhatsApp
conversations and record your new messaging platform. In these and Facebook Messenger, too.
activity – as can anyone else who cases, some unencrypted messaging If you have any apps linked to your
gains access. services such as Facebook Messenger Facebook account, remove those
SMS messages are unencrypted and Telegram have the option to create permissions. And avoid using your
and pass through a large number one-on-one ‘secret’ chats that are Facebook account to sign up to any
of servers and towers to get where end-to-end encrypted . other websites or services.
they’re going. Not only can your MICROSOFT Your best bet for keeping Facebook
provider read every text you send, Microsoft collects and at arm’s length is to shut down your
it’s reportedly not hard for others to shares plenty of data about account, delete the app, and never
intercept your message traffic, too. you. Some of it you can open it up again. It’s up to you to
The solution is to find yourself limit via settings menus, but not all. decide if it’s worth it.
a privacy-focused app that uses The only way to really keep off
E2EE, then convince friends and Microsoft’s radar is to avoid Windows Only so much you can do
family to sign up. and other Microsoft products entirely. This is hardly an exhaustive guide.
Apple’s proprietary iMessage Many Linux distributions (or distros) Companies and bad actors are
service and Signal are both E2EE such as Qubes OS and Kodachi constantly inventing new ways to track
by default, meaning only you are set up around privacy, but you around the web and beyond.
and your message recipients can you’ll generally get less snooping You might be able to keep your
see your conversation. compared to Windows from any real name and personal information
iMessage conversations that of the popular options such as out of the equation, but completely
have been backed up to iCloud Ubuntu, Manjaro and many others. masking your movements requires
are also encrypted, but Apple If you don’t like the sound of Linux, a level of sacrifice, commitment
has the key for this encryption you could try Apple products. Apple and expertise beyond the average
and could theoretically access markets itself as a privacy champion person’s scope.
it. Apple’s Messages app uses and while it collects plenty of data But that doesn’t mean you should
iMessage between Apple devices about your products and usage, it has adopt an in-for-a-penny attitude and
(shown in blue text bubbles), but a policy of not collecting or sharing let it all hang out. You can still regain
uses unencrypted SMS/MMS for personal information. some control over who knows your
messaging other devices such Using Apple devices isn’t as private information and activities. How far
as Android phones. as even the more user-friendly Linux to take it is up to you.

SUPERANNUATION
Super scammy
Amid a rise in superannuation scams, Daniel Herborn
explains how to keep your nest egg safe
n 2022, Australians lost 1. Be aware of the different
I a staggering $377 million

to investment scams, and
scammers continue to find new
ways to steal money from super.
Super Consumers Australia
types of super scams
PHISHING OR IDENTITY THEFT
Scammers may send a text or
email with a hyperlink that directs
you to a scam website or asks
} Scammers may try to
access your super through
phishing or encouraging
is calling on the industry to do better for your password. They may pose you to open a self-
to ensure scammers don’t steal from as your super fund or a government managed super fund.
anyone’s retirement income. department or service, such as the
} Super Consumers
“One of the unfortunate Australian Taxation Office
things we do hear is or MyGov. Australia is calling on all
when [a scam] occurs Your super These links may funds to do more to protect
in super, the losses are fund will never download malware people from scammers,
really significant,” says contact you asking (malicious software) including using two-factor
Tom Abourizk, a policy for your password onto your computer or authentication.
officer at Consumer let the scammer steal
or personal } Consumer advocates
Action Law Centre. your personal details.
“Last year, we had a
details You can safely ignore say super funds should
couple of clients that lost any links like these. have to pay in cases when
hundreds of thousands of If you need to contact scams happen and the
dollars from their super accounts.” your super fund, financial adviser fund hasn’t taken the
IMAGE: GETTY
There are some simple steps you or a government service, type their appropriate care.
can take to help protect your super full address into your browser rather
from scammers. than following a link.

30
Remember, your super fund will Scammers may approach you out
Tips to protect your
never contact you asking for your of the blue and offer to help you with super from scammers
password or personal details. this process. They may ask you to put
DODGY SMSFS your name to a fake story about why
A self-managed super fund (SMSF) you need your super early.
can give you more control over In other cases, they may be simply
how your super is invested. This charging money to help you fill out
greater flexibility can be a strength the official documents you need to
and a weakness. There have been request early access. They might Don’t click on any hyperlinks
reports of scammers stealing from also suggest you move your money you receive via text or email –
Australians’ super accounts by into an SMSF. In some instances, the they could be from a scammer.
approaching people to set up scammer tricks your super fund into
an SMSF. They may offer higher paying them the money directly.
investment returns than you can Another problem here is that you
make with a super fund managing could be fined and have to pay more
your money. They may also offer in tax if you improperly access your
to invest in different types of assets super early. Make sure any financial adviser
than a traditional super fund, such you deal with is legitimate
as cryptocurrency. 2. Keep your passwords and by checking the ASIC register,
The scammers can then use identity documents safe and ignore cold calls.
identity documents and personal One simple way to safeguard
information they gain from your super is to enable two-factor
correspondence to roll your super authentication for your email, online
account over into their bank account. banking and social media accounts.
No legitimate super expert needs This authentication offers an extra
to cold call strangers to drum up layer of protection, which means Ignore anyone offering to help
business and you can safely ignore scammers can only sign in to these you access your super early.
anyone who approaches you out accounts if they have your phone.
of the blue. Having a password that’s hard
If you want to set up a self- to guess, keeping it secure (e.g. not
managed super fund, there are many written down on a post-it note) and
legitimate companies that can help changing it regularly are also good
you. Any financial adviser or financial steps to secure your super. Use strong passwords and
advice business must hold a licence Moneysmart recommends two-factor authentication
from the Australian Securities & shredding your personal documents. where available.
Investments Commission (ASIC). Some funds suggest locking your
ASIC’s Moneysmart website has mailbox to prevent anyone from
a register of these licence holders at: stealing your records.
moneysmart.gov.au/financial-advice/ Moneysmart also suggests being
financial-advisers-register. Financial careful about what information you
regulator APRA also keeps a register share on social media. Don’t let anyone rush you
of everyone disqualified from giving into changing your super.
financial advice at apra.gov.au/ 3. Take your time to make any
disqualification-register. decision about
EARLY ACCESS TO YOUR SUPER your super
Another common trick of scammers Scammers may
is to claim they can get you access create a fake sense
to your super early. There are very of urgency, saying
strict conditions on accessing your you must act
super before retirement age, like quickly to take
having a terminal illness or being up their offer. But
in severe financial hardship. super is a long-term

SUPERANNUATION
investment, and there’s no need Being scammed can be and scams. Any payment system
to make immediate decisions about distressing. If you need someone to needs to be robust and secure, and
it. Take the time to confirm that any speak to, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. allowing ‘one click’ transfers isn’t
person or company you’re dealing sufficient to protect people.”
with is legitimate – check the The onus should be on funds,
register and only deal with people not members, to stop scams Who is liable for
and companies you’ve approached, While Super Consumers Australia unauthorised transactions?
rather than cold callers. policy manager Franco Morelli Abourizk says that for the most
says it’s a good idea to be vigilant, part, where scams occur in banking,
Encounter a scammer? he also says it’s ultimately up to the bank will be considered liable
Here’s what to do banks and super funds to protect when the victim isn’t the
If any of your personal documents against scammers. one who pressed
are lost or stolen, let your super “Every fund should have, ‘send’ on the transfer.
fund know immediately. at the least, two-factor This situation is
No legitimate
If you think a scammer has authentication in place considered an
taken your money, you can make a to give Australians
super expert unauthorised
complaint to the Australian Financial some peace of mind needs to cold call transaction.
Complaints Authority (AFCA). around the security of strangers to drum But he says
AFCA can order a super fund to their super,” says Morelli. up business tribunals may
repay your money. Unfortunately, When we spoke with be treating super
however, not all super scam then CEO of Consumer scams differently.
victims get their money back. Action Law Centre, Gerard “There have been
The Australian Competition Brody, for this story, he agreed a few AFCA decisions involving
and Consumer Commission’s that funds should be required, super-based scams where you
Scamwatch collects information at a minimum, to use two-factor can’t clearly say the victim has
about scams and helps people authentication. pressed ‘send’ or done anything,
avoid getting scammed. You “Without this [requirement], super but they’ve still lost money.”
can report potential scams at funds are leaving their customers “The money has gone out of the
scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. open to substantial risk of frauds super account under the control
of the super company, yet the super
fund isn’t liable. That’s something
Case study: Super fund refuses we’re concerned about; some cases
suggest the super fund isn’t taking
to pay back scam victim the appropriate level of care.”
In 2022, Paul (name has been him was “fair and reasonable” Abourizk says super funds should
changed) made a complaint to under the circumstances, proactively monitor and double-
AFCA about a scammer stealing given the fund was unaware check transactions out of accounts.
from his super. of the fraud. “That represents years of
The scammer somehow got his Crucially, there is no someone’s work going into a bank
name, date of birth and tax file suggestion in this case that the account. If that’s been obtained
number and used these details to scammer needed to get through fraudulently, that’s devastating
create a fraudulent second account. two-factor authentication. for people.”
The scammer later withdrew money If this authentication were Brody says funds should be made
from this account. Overall, the in place, the scammer to refund scam victims when they
fraudster made three withdrawals– wouldn’t have been breached their duties as trustees
the first was for more than $14,000. able to transfer money or failed to act with reasonable care.
Paul asked his fund to pay him out of Paul’s account “Placing liability on super funds
back the lost money. They refused. unless they had his is appropriate, as it provides an
He then appealed the fund’s phone as well as incentive to improve the safety
IMAGE: GETTY
decision to AFCA, but they found his personal of their systems, including
the fund’s refusal to compensate details. rollover processes,”
he says.
32
THE PRIVACY
ISSUE
NEED TO KNOW
} You’re required by law to
Passport protection report the loss or theft of a

passport as soon as possible.
} Nearly two million Aussies
A lost, stolen or damaged passport can ruin a holiday. who might have otherwise
Jodi Bird and Kylie Matthews explain what to do renewed or applied for new
passports didn’t do so during
Y
our Australian passport is don’t report it as soon as possible. This the COVID-19 lockdowns.
one of the most valuable is to protect people against identity } This has led to pent up
items you’ll ever own. Aside theft. (There’s no need to report a lost
demand for passport
from being your gateway passport that you know had expired.)
to international travel, it’s still one In Australia: Call the Australian services which is expected
of the most trusted and Passport Office Contact to continue through 2023
secure forms of ID. Centre on 131 232. and into 2024.
So, do you know Don’t risk Overseas: Contact
where your passport is booking your nearest
right now? And are Australian How to apply
new travel for a new passport
you sure it hasn’t diplomatic or
expired? We break arrangements consular mission If your passport is lost or stolen, you’ll
down what you without a valid in the country of need to apply for a new one. Apply at
should do if your passport application. passports.gov.au if an embassy or
passport has gone astray WHEN TO consulate hasn’t already started the
or is damaged, and how you ALERT POLICE process for you. You’ll need two
can get a new one. If your passport is stolen, passport photos that meet the
it’s recommended you report it to Australian passport photo guidelines,
How to report the police, as you’ll need a police documents that prove your Australian
a missing passport report to claim travel insurance. citizenship and your identity, and a
If you’ve lost your passport or believe Procedures vary depending on referee or guarantor.
it’s been stolen, you must report it to which country you’re in. If you’re REFEREE VS GUARANTOR
the Australian Passport Office as soon in a non-English speaking country, If you’re applying online, you’ll need to
as you can. There are penalties under try to find an interpreter to help nominate a referee who’s willing to
the Australian Passports Act if you explain your situation to the police. confirm your identity if they’re

TRAVEL
contacted. Otherwise you’ll need a processing times. If you’re overseas, How to get a new passport
guarantor to sign your application form you’ll need to factor in delivery time if you’re overseas
and endorse and sign the back of one as well – the wait could be a few If you need to travel soon (generally
passport photo. weeks longer, depending on your in the next 10 days), it’s likely you’ll be
A referee or guarantor must be location and ongoing postal delays issued an emergency passport, which
an adult Australian citizen who has resulting from the pandemic. is enough to get you on a plane home
known you for at least 12 months. They If you need your passport sooner, or on to your next destination.
can’t be related to you, married to you, the Australian Passport Office has But an emergency passport will
in a de facto relationship with you, or a priority processing service that be valid only for a short time (up to
share your home address. You’ll need can produce your passport in two 12 months) and because it won’t
to give their full name, phone number working days. include the biometric information
and either their current Australian IF YOU’RE ALREADY of a standard passport, you may face
passport details or the address at BOOKED ON A FLIGHT entry restrictions in certain countries.
which they’ve been on the electoral Delay your travel arrangements until Contact the Australian diplomatic
roll for the past 12 months. you have the necessary documents, or consular mission in the country
These requirements may vary for and don’t risk booking new travel where you are for further details.
overseas applicants. Contact the arrangements without a valid passport. WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T
Australian diplomatic or consular If you can’t get a new passport or HAVE THE RIGHT ID WITH YOU
mission in your country of application emergency passport in time, you won’t We don’t tend to travel the world with
for further details. be able to check in to a flight or cross our birth certificates or our latest
PROOF OF IDENTITY international borders by land or sea. utility bills in our suitcases, so proving
You’ll need an Australian birth Check with your travel insurer – your identity can be tricky, especially
certificate or citizenship certificate, depending on the circumstances, if your passport was stolen, along
documents that prove any change most policies should cover at least with your other forms of identification.
of name or gender, and other identity some of the cost of your altered travel The Australian diplomatic mission
documents that show your photo and plans, extra accommodation and to the country you’re in will advise
your current residential address. passport application fees. you exactly what’s required. But
The documents you’ll require will
vary slightly depending on whether
you were born before or after
20 August 1986, so make sure
you check the passports.gov.au
website to ensure you have the
correct identification.
HOW TO LODGE
YOUR APPLICATION
If you’re in Australia, you’ll need
to lodge your application in person
at an Australia Post outlet. If you’re
overseas, you can lodge in person at
an Australian diplomatic or consular
mission or, in some cases, send your
application through the mail.
How quickly can you

get a new passport?
As travel undergoes a post lock-
down renaissance, the turnaround
time for a passport application
in Australia can vary. At the time
IMAGES: GETTY
of publishing it’s at least six weeks,

but check the Australian Passport
Office website for up-to-date

Tips for keeping
your passport safe
Your passport is a valuable
document – not just to you,
but to thieves too.
O Keep your passport in a
secure place when at home.

O When you’re travelling, store
it in a hotel safe if there is one.

O Some countries require
foreigners to have their

passports with them at all
times. If so, keep it on your
person, not in your bag.
O Use a money belt to carry
your passport, cash and credit

cards and keep your passport
in most cases you’ll need your birth and getting back to enjoying your in a ziplock bag to protect it
certificate or citizenship certificate holiday much sooner. from water damage.
as primary ID, and several more items 1. Know your passport number
(with your photo and current address) It’s the first thing you’ll be asked
as secondary ID. when you report your passport 4. Pack two recent Australian
CHOICE tip: Rather than have your missing. If you don’t have a good passport-sized photos
birth or citizenship certificate mailedmemory for numbers, write it down This will save you having to hunt
to you, it may be possible to have or email it to yourself. down a photographer or photo
friends or family take the document 2. Have important contact booth overseas. Passport photo
to a Passport Office in Australia and information handy standards vary from country to
have it ‘sighted’, scanned and faxed Email yourself details such as the country, too. For example, a photo
to the mission you’re dealing with. phone number of the Australian taken in a photo booth in the
embassy in the country or countries UK or the US will not meet the
What happens to the you’re travelling to, the number of the requirements for an Australian
visa in your passport? Australian Consular Emergency passport application.
The Australian government Centre (+61 2 6261 3305
can’t replace any foreign If your from overseas or You’ve found your lost
visas for you when it 1300 555 135 within passport – now what?
renews your passport.
passport is Australia), as well as So your ‘lost’ passport was actually
If you had a visa in stolen, you’ll your travel insurance just hiding in the lining of your suitcase
your lost or stolen need a police details. Keep a or tucked safely in a forgotten pocket?
passport, you’ll paper copy of this Don’t celebrate yet – if you’ve already
need to contact the
report to information with you reported it missing, your passport is
nearest embassy claim travel at all times, too. cancelled forever.
or consulate of the insurance 3. Take extra This means you can’t use it to
country in question to ask identification with travel and will still have to wait for
whether you should apply for you and keep it safe your replacement. If you try to use a
a replacement. Travel with your driver’s licence, credit cancelled passport to cross borders,
cards, Medicare card, and an item of it will be kept at the airport and you
Be prepared for passport loss mail with your current address. Just won’t be permitted to travel.
No matter how careful you are, don’t keep it all in the same bag. Taking If you find someone else’s
sometimes you’re just unlucky. your birth or citizenship certificate with passport, you should return it to the
Being prepared with the necessary you isn’t a good idea, but make sure nearest Australian passport office
information and documents could a friend or family member back home or Australian embassy or consulate
mean jumping through fewer hoops, can get a hold of it, if necessary. so it can be cancelled immediately.

TRAVEL
Damaged passports 131 232 or, if you’re outside Australia, Some countries don’t let visitors
Plenty of travellers have to replace contact your nearest Australian enter on a passport that expires in less
their passport because of damage. embassy or consulate. than six months, so it’s best to renew
According to a spokesperson from the (Passport replacement is not an your passport long before its expiry
Department of Foreign Affairs and option for Australians who have lost date – and be sure to allow enough
Trade (DFAT), the most common or had their passport stolen. The only time for processing and postage on
ways that passports meet option in these cases is to top of the six months.
an untimely end are by apply for a new passport.) It’s best to apply online. If you can’t,
fluid damage (spilled RENEWING call 131 232 or contact an Australian
drinks, ink stains, Plenty of Eligible Australians diplomatic or consular mission; they’ll
perspiration, a spin travellers have may be able to apply email or post you a pre-filled form.
in the washing to replace their for streamlined
machine) and renewal of their My passport details
dogs treating them passport because passport. All you’ll
as chew toys. of damage need is your application were stolen by a hacker!
If your passport is checklist or form, two Been caught up in a data
damaged, you can apply passport photos and breach? Here’s what you need to
for a replacement passport, your most recent passport. know or do if you think a hacker
rather than have to apply for a new To qualify, you must be an adult may have your passport number:
passport. and your most recent Australian O As long as your physical
passport must have been issued passport hasn’t been lost or

Replacing vs renewing on or after 1 January 2006. stolen, you’re still good to travel.
your passport The passport must also have: O Your passport details alone
There’s a significant difference O been issued when you were aged can’t be used by someone else
between ‘replacing’ your Australian 16 or older for international travel, and the
passport and ‘renewing’ it. O had at least two years of validity baddies can’t use your personal
REPLACING when it was issued details to issue a new passport.
A passport replacement is only O been issued with your current name, The passport office uses
for Australians whose passport date and place of birth, and gender facial recognition technology
has run out of pages or is damaged, O never been reported stolen, lost to protect your passport.
or who have changed their name or cancelled. So hackers would need your
or gender, or are updating their If you’re not eligible for express face too, which isn’t possible
passport photographs. This service renewal you’ll need to follow a unless you’re Nicholas Cage
is free in some circumstances and similar process to applying for a new or John Travolta in ‘FACE/OFF’.
comes with a reduced fee in others. passport, including providing original O Unless you’ve been advised
A replacement passport is valid only supporting documents that prove otherwise, you can still use
as long as the passport it’s replacing your identity and citizenship, and your physical passport to
(i.e. it’s not a renewal). Call DFAT on nominating a referee or guarantor. identify yourself to government
authorities, banks or other
financial organisations (as
long as you haven’t already
cancelled it).
O Whether or not you need
a new passport is up to you

and your individual situation.
If you’re concerned, you can
get a new passport at any time.
O For more information on
passport data breaches

visit passports.gov.au/
IMAGE: GETTY
data-breaches, or if you’re
concerned about identity theft
in general, visit idcare.org.
36
Plastic not so fantastic

A CHOICE review of packaging materials has found that manufacturers are still using
plenty of non-recyclables, write Andy Kollmorgen and Wendy Evans
he not-for-profit Australian Packaging waste remains a major
T Packaging Covenant
Organisation (APCO) has
an ambitious goal – to make
sure all packaging that’s made, used
or sold in Australia is recyclable,
} We reviewed the
packaging materials from
38 popular household
sustainability issue.
To achieve its goals for the greater
good, APCO has been working with
manufacturers in a stewardship role
to help them reduce the amount
reusable or compostable by 2025. products made by some of of non-recyclable materials they use.
And it seems we’re making pretty
Australia’s most popular Expert review of
good progress.
Former APCO CEO Brooke appliance brands. appliance packaging
Donnelly told us last year that 86% } While some Over a period of months, we collected
of the approximately 6.3 million manufacturers are using the packaging materials that came
tonnes of packaging that makes recyclable cardboard and with some of the products we test in
its way through the Australian fibre, others are still using our labs.
market every year is designed to We set aside the packaging from
blocks of landfill-bound
be recycled here. (Donnelly was kettles, air fryers and stick vacuums –
succeeded by CEO Chris Foley polystyrene and other 38 products in all – manufactured
in June last year.) non-recyclable plastic by some of Australia’s most popular
Due to inefficient recycling materials. appliance brands.
processes and gaps in consumer } Manufacturers need to Late last year, we hosted a review
understanding, however, only about lift their game to meet of these packaging materials with
half of it (55%) gets recycled and the help of representatives from
sustainability targets.
reused. The rest goes to our ever- APCO and the Australian Institute
expanding landfill sites. of Packaging (AIP).

SUSTAINABILITY
The packaging experts used components made of the same or noted as being
APCO’s Sustainable Packaging similar material – making it easier for recyclable when
Guidelines as a basis for evaluating consumers to recycle – others pack the assessment
the packaging. They provided expert their products in a complicated array was performed by
analysis and comments on how each of materials, making it difficult to the APCO and AIP
of the product packages performed separate and therefore more likely to experts.
in terms of sustainability and identified end up in landfill. With the collapse
what was and wasn’t recyclable In addition, many manufacturers of the REDcycle scheme in
in Australia. are still using non-recyclable November last year, Australian is
Drawing on the data plastic three-pin plug now without a national soft plastic
provided by APCO Only one protectors and plastic- recycling program, making it harder
and the AIP, CHOICE product, the coated wire ties than ever for consumers to avoid
continued the analysis, Black & Decker instead of more disposing of soft plastic to landfill.
counting how stick vac, had fully sustainable options. FULL RECYCLABILITY
many packaging recyclable In nearly all cases, HARD TO COME BY
components were manufacturers are Only one
packaging
in each box, determining not doing a very good product had
how many of these were job of making it clear to fully recyclable
recyclable, recording the consumers in their package packaging
number of REDcycle components, labelling which components are (including three REDcycle
and checking for the use of non- recyclable and what consumers components) – the Black & Decker
recyclable foam. We also reviewed should do with them. This is where stick vacuum. Thirteen products had
the recycling and disposal labelling. the Australasian Recycling Label, or just one non-recyclable component,
ARL, comes in, but more on that later. often a plastic power plug protector.
Too much polystyrene, Our external experts noted that these
not enough cardboard Overall results and could and should be replaced by
The results of the evaluation reveal key findings paper or cardboard components.
that some manufacturers are doing SOLUTION NEEDED FOR Only two products (the Philips air
substantially better than others SOFT PLASTICS RECYCLING fryers) indicated on the outer box that
in the product categories we None of the boxes in our evaluation the boxes were made of at least 90%
checked when it comes to reducing were free of plastic packaging recyclable material. The boxes for
packaging waste. components. Thirty out of 38 the Breville and Kambrook products
(We evaluated a limited number products used soft plastics noted that they were “printed on
of product packages from each compatible with the (now defunct) recycled paper”, but other packaging
manufacturer. It’s possible that those REDcycle scheme, and these were lacked such claims.
with unsustainable practices in one
product category may be doing
better in other categories.) What APCO and the AIP want
While many are using recyclable
cardboard and fibre to package their
from manufacturers
products, others are still using blocks O Become a member of APCO and moulded fibre
of landfill-bound polystyrene commit to sustainable packaging protector.
and other non- practices. O Replace non-
recyclable plastic O Include the Australasian recyclable plastic-

materials – Recycling Label (ARL) on boxes coated wire ties with
sometimes so consumers know how to a velcro tie.
in excessive correctly dispose of each part APCO and the AIP were also
amounts. of the packaging. seeking for manufacturers to
And where some O Replace the non-recyclable join the REDcycle soft plastics
IMAGE: GETTY
manufacturers plastic cover protecting three-pin return-to-store recycling program,

are using just plugs with a cardboard or but this no longer exists.
a few packaging

The findings indicate that RECYCLING AND
manufacturers on the whole need DISPOSAL LABELLING
to do more if the goal of getting rid The boxes we evaluated
of all non-recyclable packaging is featured a variety of different
to be met, including the phasing out symbols, including the familiar
of problematic and unnecessary Litterman logo (illustration
plastic packaging. of a figure putting rubbish
OVERUSE OF in a bin), the Mobius Loop
EXPANDED FOAM recycling symbol (three
Almost 60% (23) of the product arrows forming a loop) and
packages contained non-recyclable the Plastics Identification
expanded plastic foams, such Code (three arrows forming
as polystyrene and polyethylene a triangle containing a
(colloquially known as styrofoam). number from 1 through 7).
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has But we also identified
been flagged by APCO as a material miscellaneous markings
of concern and the organisation that were not easily
is working with the Australian decipherable. Without
government and industry to phase an explanation of what
out its use as part of the National these symbols mean, consumers
Plastics Plan, but no deadline would be understandably confused How we assessed
to achieve this goal has been set. about whether the materials are the packaging
Expanded foam was often present recyclable and what to do with We counted the number of individual
in the form of moulded bases and them. Some boxes also had packaging components in each
infill components. A number of symbols in areas not easily product box with the help of our
products used foam bags, which found. The Smeg Electric experts, who also helped to
are not easily recognisable as foam Kettle box, for instance, identify what was and wasn’t
or as a non-recyclable item. had a Litterman logo side- recyclable. We then calculated
The APCO and AIP experts both by-side with a recyclable the percentage of recyclable
made the point that foam packaging label on the bottom of the components for each product.
components could and should be outer box. The higher the percentage, the
replaced by cardboard, paper and While a variety of recycling more recyclable components the
moulded fibre alternatives. Fifteen labels were used, none of packaging contains.
products, across all three of the the packaging carried the We also counted the number
product categories in our review, Australian Recycling Label of REDcycle components in each
had no plastic foam components, (ARL) – an APCO-led box and made a note of whether
indicating that phasing out foam initiative aimed at giving foam-based materials were
is achievable. consumers in Australia used. And we recorded the
and New Zealand Expanded recycling and disposal
clear information foam was often labels and noted whether
about what goes present in the form or not the packaging was
where – the marked with the ARL. Our
of moulded bases
recycling bin, APCO and AIP experts
rubbish bin, or back
and infill included comments
to the store. Many components on how each product
retailers in Australia did in terms of the overall
have embraced the ARL. recyclability of its packaging
Eight product packages components, although these have
contained no recycling instructions been omitted from the results tables
on the outer box, leaving consumers shown here. You can read the expert
in the dark on how best to dispose comments online at choice.com.au/
of the packaging. sustainablepackaging.

SUSTAINABILITY
AIR FRYERS
Non-recyclable
% recyclable
components
components
Recyclable
Philips Essential XL 6 1 86
Anko 5.3 Litre Air Fryer 4 2 67
Philips Essential 4 2 67
Sunbeam Duraceramic Digital Air Fryer 6 3 67
Breville Air Fryer Chef 4 3 57
Ninja 3.8L Air Fryer 5 4 56
Russell Hobbs Brooklyn Air Fryer 5 6 45
Instant Vortex Plus Clearcook Air Fryer 4 5 44
Tefal Easy Fry Grill & Steam Healthy Fryer 5 7 42
KETTLES STICK VACUUMS

Non-recyclable
Non-recyclable
% recyclable
components
components
% recyclable
components
components
Recyclable
Recyclable
IMAGE: GETTY | WWW.PHILIPS.COM.AU/C-E/HO/COOKING/AIRFRYER-XL.HTML | WWW.BINGLEE.COM.AU/PRODUCTS/MORPHY-RICHARDS-ASCEND |
Morphy Richards Ascend 9 1 90 Black + Decker Power Series Extreme 7 0 100

DeLonghi Ballerina 9 1 90 Beko PowerClean Pro 27 1 96
WWW.CATCH.COM.AU/PRODUCT/BLACK-DECKER-18V-4-IN-1-POWERSERIES-EXTREME-PET-STICK-VACUUM-BHFEV182CP-XE-8852051
Morphy Richards Verve 7 1 88 Dyson V8 18 1 95

Anko Stainless Steel 6 1 86 Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute 18 1 95
Anko Clear Variable Temperature Kettle 5 1 83 Dyson V11 15 1 94
Laura Ashley Elveden 5 1 83 Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Slim Cordless 10 1 91
Smeg Electric Kettle KLF05BLAU 4 1 80 Miele Triflex HX2 Pro 12 3 80
Russell Hobbs Paddington Stainless Steel 7 2 78 Miele Triflex HX1 10 3 77
Sunbeam Kyoto City Collection 7 2 78 Bosch Athlet Serie 6 ProAnimal 13 5 72
Russell Hobbs Stone Textured 8 3 73 Shark Cordless Apex Pro Pet Vacuum 7 11 39
Sunbeam Fresh Start 5 2 72 Dreame Cordless Vacuum T30 6 14 30
Breville Multi Temp 7 3 70
Cucina Modern Kettle 4 2 67
Breville Temp Set Kettle 4 3 57
Kambrook Scandi Chic 4 3 57
Sunbeam Obliq Collection 4 4 50
Sunbeam Brightside Collection 3 4 43
Cuisinart Multi-Temp Cordless Kettle 3 5 38
TABLE NOTE: The REDcycle soft plastics

recycling scheme no longer exists, but it
was in operation when these packages
were manufactured and was therefore
included in the experts’ recyclability
evaluations.

Together we’re
more powerful
When we work together, companies listen

and governments change laws.
We’re up for that fight and we need your help.
Donate today and support a better, fairer, safer Australia
Visit choice.com.au/donate
or scan this QR code
DISHWASHING LIQUIDS TEST
Spray matter
Our latest dishwashing liquids test included three spray products.
The results are in and, as Alice Richard discovers, they’re… interesting
o one likes doing the liquid in the sink, you spray the scoring 90% overall. It was far and
N washing up, but a good

detergent can make the
job a lot less painful, cutting
through grease and dried-on food and
leaving your dishes sparkling.
detergent on your dishes and
then wash and rinse. There were
three spray products in our latest
lab test. Interestingly, one product
– the Fairy Kitchen Antibacterial
away the winner in our test, scoring a
full 15 percentage points higher than
its nearest competitor, Fairy Kitchen
Antibacterial, the dishwashing spray
that scored 75%.
Our expert testers put piles of plates spray – placed second overall,
through the scrubber to find the best beating out 39 liquid products.
performing washing-up detergents. But Fairy’s other spray product, Dishwashing winners
“We tested 43 popular plus one from household The products that topped our latest
dishwashing liquids name Morning Fresh, dishwashing liquids test:
using plates that were landed solidly at the
consistently dirtied up Similarly named bottom of the table.
with different foods, “We followed the
including bolognaise products from the instructions for
and egg yolk,” same brand can application and
explains CHOICE perform differently left the spray for 90% 75%
expert Matthew Steen. a few minutes to
“We soak them in work on the stains,
each detergent, scrub then ran it through the
them a set number of times scrub process, but some
and then look at how clean the simply don’t perform as well as
plates are. We also look at how well others,” says Steen.
they wash compared to plain water.”
A clean winner
IMAGE: GETTY
To spray or not to spray? The results were crystal clear: Coles

Dishwashing sprays are a relatively Ultra Advanced Power Soak Lime 42c/100ml $1.33/100ml
new concept – rather than squirting wiped the floor with its competitors,

42
The Coles detergent is The ultimate flop

also one of the cheapest we If you’re looking for a fresh new way to tip your money
tested, at 42 cents per 100mL down the sink, look no further than Morning Fresh
– less than a third of the price of Ultimate Power Clean Spray Citrus Fresh: not only does it
the Fairy spray, at $1.33 per 100mL. cost a staggering $11 per bottle (seriously, would you spend
“The Coles detergent is streets ahead that much on doing the dishes?), it also received exactly the
in terms of performance and price – a win same score as plain water.
for both your dishes and your pocket,” Water didn’t exactly do a great job either – it received
says Steen. a CHOICE Expert Rating of just 45% – but at least it’s
not going to set you back $2.20 per 100mL. The Morning
Expect the unexpected Fresh spray will leave you with sore arms from all the extra
However, some Coles and Fairy scrubbing, and a hole in your pocket from the steep price.
dishwashing liquids didn’t fare so well Other products to avoid include Palmolive Antibacterial
in our lab tests, with other products Lemon Fresh (50%) and Fairy Kitchen Lemon (55%).
from these brands sitting at the bottom
of the heap. Many other well-known brands
demonstrated similar results, with products towards both Dishwashing losers
the top and bottom of the leaderboard, which goes to show The products that performed the worst
that even similarly named products from the same brand in our latest dishwashing liquids test:
can perform differently when you’re scrubbing the dishes.
“Our tests uncovered some wild variation, so never
assume that if one product cleans well, similar ones from
the same brand will deliver the same results,” warns Steen.
“It’s worth keeping in mind when you’re shopping –
otherwise you could grab an inferior product accidentally.”
45% 50% 55%
“Likewise, don’t assume an expensive product will
outperform a cheap one – our tests found price is no
measure of performance,” he says.
The same goes for expecting that a washing-up liquid
from this year will perform just as well next year.
“The reason we test every year is because some
manufacturers commonly change the formula,” says
Steen. “So check back with us each year to see who has
the better product.”
$2.20/100ml $0.50/100ml $1.33/100ml
Shop Ethical rating
BRAND RATING Good buys
Aldi C These dishwashing liquids didn’t make the recommended
Coles F list, but we consider dishwashing liquids a good buy if they
Community Co F score 65–69%, and cost 30 cents or less per 100mL.
Earth Choice B O Aldi Tandil Antibacterial Lemon Extracts Super
Ecostore A Strength: 65%, 30c/100mL

Fairy F O Aldi Tandil Original Super Strength: 65%, 30c/100mL
O Aldi Unamat: 65%, 12c/100mL

Morning Fresh C
O Earth Choice Dishwash Liquid: 65%, 24c/100mL
Palmolive D
O Trix Antibacterial Lemon Triple Action: 65%, 30c/100mL
Sunlight D
Trix C TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend dishwashing liquids with a CHOICE Expert
Woolworths C Rating of 70% or more. Type L Liquid, S Spray. Price This was for the pack size listed, as at
December 2022. Cost per 100mL based on the pack size tested – different pack sizes may result in
NOTES: Other brands in our review not mentioned here don’t different costs per 100mL. CHOICE Expert Rating Made up of 100% scrub test. We no longer do
have a Shop Ethical rating. For more on Shop Ethical ratings a foam test as the amount of bubbles have little to no effect on cleaning power. na Not applicable.
and what they mean, see p73. All bottles are recyclable.
DISHWASHING LIQUIDS TEST
COSTS PERF. CLAIMS
Gentle on hands
Septic tank-safe
Greywater-safe
Recommended
Cost/100mL ($)
CHOICE Expert
Biodegradable
Pack size (mL)
Concentrate
Plant-based
Cruelty-free
ingredients
surfactants
Rating (%)
Price ($)
Origin
Type
9 Coles Ultra Advanced Power Soak Lime L 1.90 0.42 450 90 9 9 Australia
9 Fairy Kitchen Antibacterial S 6.00 1.33 450 75 Vietnam
9 Aldi Green Action Plant Based Formula Green Tea and Lime L 2.79 0.56 500 70 9 9 9 9 Australia
9 Aldi Tandil Ultra Antibacterial Lemon L 2.99 0.33 900 70 9 9 9 9 Australia
9 Earth Choice Green Tea and Lime 900mL L 5.80 0.64 900 70 9 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
9 Morning Fresh Advanced Fast Dry White Tea L 6.00 0.92 650 70 9 9 9 9 Indonesia
9 Morning Fresh Antibacterial Lemon L 8.50 1.25 680 70 9 9 9 9 Indonesia
9 Morning Fresh Lemon L 9.50 1.06 900 70 9 9 9 9 Indonesia
9 Palmolive Complete Instant Degreaser Citrus Blast L 2.50 0.50 500 70 9 Australia
9 Sunlight Natural Lemon L 6.39 0.64 1000 70 9 Australia
9 Earth Choice Undo this Mess Mint and Lime L 4.50 0.50 900 70 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Aldi Tandil Antibacterial Lemon Extracts Super Strength L 2.69 0.30 900 65 9 9 9 9 Australia
Aldi Tandil Original Super Strength L 2.69 0.30 900 65 9 9 9 9 Australia
Aldi Unamat L 1.19 0.12 1000 65 9 9 Australia
Coles Green Choice 2-in-1 Rose and Rhubarb L 8.50 0.85 1000 65 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Coles Ultra Lemon Burst L 3.00 0.33 900 65 9 9 Australia
Community Co Clean Freak L 2.25 0.50 450 65 9 9 Australia
Earth Choice Dishwash Liquid L 2.35 0.24 1000 65 9 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Earth Choice Ultra Red Apple L 5.80 0.64 900 65 9 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Earth Choice Ultra Antibacterial L 2.25 0.45 500 65 9 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Ecostore Extra Gentle Jasmine and Harakeke L 8.30 0.83 1000 65 9 9 9 9 9 9 New Zealand
Fairy Lemon L 9.50 1.19 800 65 9 Philippines
Fairy Original L 9.50 1.19 800 65 9 Philippines
Morning Fresh Botanicals Lemon Myrtle and Mandarin L 8.50 1.25 680 65 9 9 9 9 Indonesia
Morning Fresh Clean And Green Lemon L 8.50 1.31 650 65 9 9 9 9 9 China
Morning Fresh Soft Hands Cucumber and Aloe Vera L 8.50 1.25 680 65 9 9 9 9 Indonesia
Organic Choice Lemongrass and Green Tea L 5.50 1.10 500 65 9 9 9 Australia
Organic Choice Luxe Botanical Basil Lime And Mandarin L 5.50 1.10 500 65 9 9 9 Australia
Palmolive Eco Coconut And Lime L 2.50 0.50 500 65 9 Australia
Palmolive Gentle Care Mild Fragrance L 2.50 0.50 500 65 9 9 Australia
Trix Antibacterial Lemon Triple Action L 2.95 0.30 1000 65 9 Australia
Earth Choice Undo This Mess Antibac with Citrus L 4.50 0.50 900 65 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Woolworths Shine Ultra Pear & Peony L 3.00 0.33 900 65 9 9 9 9 Australia
Aldi Tandil Gentle Care Pure & Fresh Hypoallergenic Super Strength L 2.69 0.30 900 60 9 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Coles Lemon L 1.20 0.12 1000 60 Australia
Ecostore Lemon L 4.50 0.90 500 60 9 9 9 9 9 New Zealand
Ecostore Ultrasensitive L 4.50 0.90 500 60 9 9 9 9 9 New Zealand
Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap Lemon Myrtle and Mandarin L 13.49 2.70 60 9 9 9 9 9 Australia
Morning Fresh 2-in-1 Dish and Hand Wash Violet And Blackberry L 7.50 1.50 500 60 9 9 9 9 Australia
Woolworths Shine Ultra Antibacterial L 3.00 0.33 900 60 9 9 9 9 Australia
Fairy Kitchen Lemon S 6.00 1.33 500 55 9 Vietnam
Palmolive Antibacterial Lemon Fresh L 2.50 0.50 500 50 9 Australia
IMAGE: GETTY
Morning Fresh Ultimate Power Clean Spray Citrus Fresh S 11.00 2.20 500 45 Australia
Water only L 0.00 0.00 na 45 na na na na na na na na

44
} Several manufacturers
Smart brew have Wi-Fi-enabled coffee

machines.
} You can usually save
Wi-Fi apps can add convenience to your coffee your favourite drink profiles
brewing experience, just be aware of the information on the app and receive
they’re collecting, says Kim Gilmour alerts when your machine
needs maintenance.
hink your morning coffee morning coffee without getting out } Some usage data is
T has escaped the ‘smart

home’ treatment? Think
again. Wi-Fi-enabled coffee
machines can now conjure up your
morning brew with a voice command,
of bed. While most automatic coffee
machines we’ve reviewed aren’t quite
so internet-ready, we predict this
feature will become more common
in the coming years.
collected, so check the
privacy policies before
installing.
or save your drink preferences – like

strength and temperature – on an What happens to my data? whether it’s linked to your name or
app. Brands like Jura and DeLonghi Whenever you download an app, you anonymised, how long it is kept and
offer apps for compatible machines should always check the company’s whether it’s shared with third parties.
and Miele’s top-end models even let privacy policy to see what data may The data collected by your coffee
you turn the machine on and off be collected, where it’s stored (either machine app could include statistics
remotely so you can make your locally on your device or remotely), on error log files and location

AUTO ESPRESSO MACHINES TEST
information. Details about machine

use might be shared with the HOW WE TEST AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINES
manufacturer, or the data may only Our experts, brothers David and Matthew Gee from Barista Basics and
be transmitted via a direct Bluetooth Anee Sampath of Samson Coffee House and BeanCraft coffee roasters,
connection between your phone are part of our ‘blind’ tasting. They each get one full espresso shot from
and the machine – details should each machine, made by our in-house lab tester Adrian Lini, using freshly
be outlined in the privacy policy. roasted premium beans. Each espresso shot is assessed for colour and
Some permissions are usually thickness of the crema, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste.
required for the apps to run as EASE OF USE Adrian assesses the controls, fills the water tank and the
intended, such as access to your bean hopper, adjusts the grinder, makes coffees to assess general
photos if you want to add an image programming and operation, and cleans inside and out to see how easy
to your coffee ‘profile’, and error each machine is to use and maintain.
logs to help diagnose faults. FROTHING MILK Adrian froths milk, looking for a fine, pourable froth.
COFFEE TEMPERATURE CONSISTENCY After warming up each
Privacy policies machine for five minutes, Adrian measures the consistency of four
While we haven’t reviewed the consecutive coffees.
Miele@home app for coffee
machines, it does have a
clear privacy policy that If you’re
outlines how people
can consent to
concerned ...
the collection of you can safely give
“appliances data” the apps a miss and
during the registration just focus on
process or within the
app. Such data could
your brew
include interactions with
the appliance’s interface, or
appliance information (such as
hours of operation). The information
it collects is “pseudonymised”,
which involves replacing your
personal details with an alias
to limit identification and meet
European data protection
requirements, which are stronger
than existing Australian privacy laws.
According to Miele, they use the
information “to create internal reports
in order to continuously optimise
our products, systems and services”.
Consent may be withdrawn anytime.
None of the automatic espresso
machines we’ve reviewed need an
app to function; all core capabilities
and alerts (such as when the machine
needs cleaning) are accessible using
the control panels. If you’re concerned
that a manufacturer might know too
IMAGE: GETTY
much about your caffeine habit, we

think you can safely give the apps
a miss and just focus on your brew.

ALL-ROUNDER TOP-END TASTE BUDGET BUY
$2299 $4299 $849
81% 81% 80%

Jura E8 (EB) 15372 Jura Z10 (INTA) 15423 DeLonghi Magnifica S
The E8 is one of the more popular The Z10’s very good taste test ECAM 22.110.SB
products in Jura’s range. It’s a great results are based on its espresso This is a relatively affordable
all-rounder with an impressive taste performance, but if you also like automatic coffee machine that
test score. Features include an ‘extra specialty coffees like cold brew, there delivered an impressive 85% taste
shot’ function if you want a more are plenty of options to choose from. test score. The great-tasting coffee
intense coffee, an excellent digital The system will adjust the grind might help you to overlook its ease
display and easy-to-use, well-labelled depending on the beverage you’ve of use, which is only OK, with a few
buttons. Milk-based drinks can be selected. You can customise the notable pain points. For instance,
made quickly and automatically with strength and water temperature if the grinder fineness control is a little
small, easy-to-pour bubbles and desired and save your favourite drinks hard to adjust and you’ll need to froth
it can easily accommodate large to your profile. However, at $4299 the milk manually (although the result
cups. The E8 also delivers even it’s one of the more high-end coffee is very good). It’s also worth noting
temperatures when making machines we’ve tested, so it’s only that when making two cups of coffee
successive cups of coffee. As well for real coffee fans. A manual or semi- or a double shot, the result is a weak
as the ‘piano black’ model we tested, automatic coffee machine would cost shot with a watered-down flavour.
it’s also available in ‘piano white’ far less if you don’t mind getting a bit
(15490) and ‘dark inox’ (15498). involved with your brewing process.
AUTO ESPRESSO MACHINES TEST
Shop Ethical rating

BRAND RATING NOTES: Other brands in
our review not mentioned
Beko C here don’t have a Shop
DeLonghi D Ethical rating. For more on
Shop Ethical ratings and
Miele B what they mean, see p73.
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Water reservoir capacity (L)

Dimensions (cm, H x W x D)
CHOICE Expert Rating (%)
Measured warm-up time

Milk frothing score (%)
consistency score (%)

Ease of use score (%)
Coffee temperature
Taste test score (%)
Cup warming plate

Recommended
Digital display
Milk frothing
Weight (kg)
Price ($)
min:sec
Origin
9 Jura E8 (EB) 15372 2299 81 80 81 80 90 0:53 A 9 1.9 35 x 28 x 42 9.8 Switzerland
9 Jura Z10 (INTA) 15423 4299 81 80 88 80 60 0:58 A 9 2.4 36 x 32 x 46 12.5 Switzerland
9 DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.SB 849 80 85 69 80 70 1:10 M 9 9 1.8 35 x 24 x 43 9 Italy
9 Melitta Avanza Series 600 Type F 27 / 0-100 1099 80 85 80 70 50 0:39 A 1.5 35 x 21 x 46 7.7 Europe
9 DeLonghi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T 1699 79 80 79 70 90 0:40 A 9 1.8 35 x 24 x 41 10.3 Italy
9 Melitta CI Touch F630-102 1599 78 75 81 80 90 0:53 A 9 9 1.8 34 x 26 x 48 10.3 Europe
9 DeLonghi Primadonna Soul with Latte Crema 2099 75 75 81 65 80 0:43 A 9 9 2.2 39 x 26 x 45 13.1 Italy
System ECAM610.75.MB
Melitta Caffeo Solo & Milk 1095 75 80 80 40 90 0:55 M 9 9 1.2 33 x 20 x 46 8.2 Europe
9 Jura S8 3250 74 75 74 70 80 0:50 A 9 1.9 35 x 28 x 43 10 Switzerland
9 Jura S8 (INTA) 15443 2999 73 80 79 60 10 0:49 A 9 1.9 35 x 29 x 45 10.5 Switzerland
9 Miele CM 5310 Silence Benchtop Coffee Machine 1599 73 75 86 60 30 0:48 A 9 1.3 36 x 24 x 46 9.6 Switzerland
CM5310
9 Melitta Caffeo Barista TS 2695 72 70 84 60 80 0:50 A 9 9 1.8 37 x 26 x 47 10.5 Europe
9 Miele CM7750 4199 72 75 84 65 10 0:55 A 9 9 2.2 42 x 31 x 44 14.3 Switzerland
9 DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Titan ECAM290.83.TB 999 71 70 75 80 40 0:37 A 1.8 36 x 24 x 42 10 Romania
Smeg Bean to Cup BCC02 1349 70 65 70 80 90 0:50 M 1.4 34 x 19 x 43 8.2 China
Melitta Caffeo CI 1749 69 65 83 60 80 1:00 A 9 9 1.8 35 x 26 x 48 9.5 Europe
Philips 4300 Series EP4346 1199 69 70 85 60 10 0:59 A 9 1.8 37 x 24 x 43 7.7 Romania
Miele CM6360 MilkPerfection 2499 68 60 81 80 80 0:54 A 9 9 1.8 36 x 25 x 43 10.2 Switzerland
Jura E6 1699 66 65 80 65 30 0:40 A 9 1.9 35 x 28 x 45 9.6 Portugal
Jura ENA 8 1899 66 70 81 45 20 0:35 A 9 1.1 32 x 27 x 44 9.2 Portugal
Gaggia Anima Deluxe SUP043P 1499 64 60 76 70 40 0:44 A 9 9 1.8 33 x 22 x 42 8 Italy
Gaggia Magenta Plus RI8700 (SUP 051W) 1579 64 50 84 80 100 0:49 M 9 1.8 34 x 22 x 42 7.5 Italy
Philips 2200 Series EP2221 799 63 60 79 60 50 0:58 M 1.8 37 x 24 x 43 7.7 Romania
Gaggia Naviglio HD8749 1029 60 60 76 45 40 0:55 M 1.5 36 x 26 x 41 8 Italy
Beko Full Automatic Espresso Machine CEG5311X 569 58 55 69 70 10 0:26 M 1.5 31 x 18 x 41 7.9 China
Saeco Royal OTC SUP060 1999 55 40 84 70 70 1:23 A 2.5 40 x 28 x 46 10.5 Romania
Gaggia Anima Prestige 1599 51 40 80 70 10 0:45 A 9 1.8 34 x 23 x 44 7.8 Romania
TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend automatic espresso machines with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 70%, at least 70% for the taste test and at least
IMAGE: GETTY
55% for milk frothing. Price Recommended or typical retail price as of February 2023. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of taste test (60%), ease of use (20%), milk
frothing (15%) and coffee temperature consistency (5%). Warm-up time is the time taken to heat the machine to operating temperature (not scored). Milk frothing V
Variable (no fixed settings), A Automatic, M Manual.

48
Full surface cooking } Our kitchen lab has

tested a fully flexible
How do induction cooktops with fully flexible cooking induction cooktop for the
first time.
zones perform? Rebecca Ciaramidaro finds out
} Flexi zones on induction
nduction cooktops are often select a model that not only cooks cooktops offer flexibility
I praised for their superior cooking

performance and fancy features.
With fast heat-up times, the ability
to respond immediately to changes
in temperature and a sleek, easy-
perfectly but also has a layout that
offers maximum flexibility, allowing you
to use pots and pans in a variety of
shapes and sizes to cook up a storm.
The ideal configuration of cooking
but may not always provide
even cooking results.
greasy and unresponsive to touch.

to-clean design, there are zones depends on the size of Your pots and pans also need to
plenty of reasons to cooktop you need. For a match the dimensions of the cooking
choose induction. 60cm cooktop, three zones. Defined cooking zones are
But induction
If the layout cooking zones are ideal, useful in this instance as they give
cooktops also is too cramped, four for a 70–75cm clear visual guidance for the size
come with their you may find the cooktop and five of cookware required.
challenges. You’ll cooking zones sit zones for a 90cm
need to get used model. If the layout Fancy features
to a new way of
too close to the is too cramped, you A useful feature that’s becoming more
cooking, make sure controls may find the cooking common in newer models is automatic
you have compatible zones sit too close to the pan detection whereby the relevant
cookware and carefully controls. This can make them setting controls will automatically light

INDUCTION COOKTOPS TEST
up when a pan is may not be detected in

detected. The Haier every position on the How we test
HCI905FTB3 and The idea cooktop. We placed six Performance Our home
Miele KM7678F is that your pots pieces of cookware economist Fiona Mair cooks
from our latest and pans can that met Miele’s different dishes using a range
test also have a
be placed anywhere specifications on the of heat settings. She cooks
convenient non-slip cooking surface and white sauce to test the cooktop’s
grip on the glass on the induction found that the pans ability to work on low heat
surface. This makes surface along the front of the settings. She boils rice to
it less likely that pots cooktop appeared to take assess the turn-down capacity,
and pans move or slide longer to boil. starting at a high heat and
around when stirring. It also When conducting our white lowering to a simmer. She also
means you need to lift rather than sauce test with the saucepan on cooks a vegetable and beef stir
slide cookware if moving it to a the bottom left corner of the cooktop, fry to test the high heat setting
different zone – something to be the sauce was cooked unevenly. We over a short period of time.
mindful of if your pot is quite heavy. noticed the temperature was higher Ease of use Fiona checks
on the left half of the pan, causing half the controls, their settings,
Full surface induction the pan to brown, with sauce sticking positions, relation to elements,
Flexi zones on induction cooktops aim to the bottom. When we repeated the and whether you can easily
to give you flexible options for where test with the saucepan in the back left determine which cooking zone
you place your cookware. It’s not new corner, we found the sauce cooked is operating. She also looks at
technology – we’ve tested models with more evenly, producing an excellent the size and type of elements,
flexi zones before and noticed that result. This suggests that the cooktop their positions, and how easy the
sometimes not all areas of the flexi may not distribute heat evenly. cooktop is to clean.
zone perform equally, with some
uneven heating and cold spots.
Our kitchen lab has now tested a full
surface (also known as fully flexible
or zoneless) induction cooktop for the
first time. The entire surface of this
cooktop is induction, with none of the
predefined or outlined cooking zones
that we’re used to seeing in standard
models. The idea is that your pans can
be placed anywhere on the induction
surface allowing for maximum flexibility
and a variety of pan configurations.
These models aren’t cheap – the
Miele KM 7678 FL we tested will set
you back over $6000. This 80cm
model can accommodate up to six
pots or pans, with the surface split into
six cooking zones, each with their own
touch controls.
Miele claims your pots or pans can
be placed anywhere in the induction
area of the cooktop, but in past testing
we’ve found that not all areas perform
equally well. Miele recommends you
IMAGE: GETTY
stick with the required size cookware,

and states that pans with a base
diameter between 100mm and 145mm

PERFECT COOKING PERFORMANCE Shop Ethical rating
BRAND RATING
AEG C
$2199 $2099 Ariston C
Asko F
Beko C
Bosch D
Chef C
DeLonghi D
Electrolux C
Fisher & Paykel F
Haier F
Ikea C
92% 92% Miele B
Miele KM 7200 FR Siemens EH675LDC1E Neff D
Siemens D
The three cooking zones on this 57.4cm This 60cm model has an ideal layout,
Westinghouse C
cooktop are well positioned, meaning there’s with three cooking zones that can
Whirlpool C
no crowding even when using all the zones at be comfortably used at the same time.
the same time. It can also fit large cookware, The large cooking area can accommodate NOTES Other brands in our review not
mentioned here don’t have a Shop Ethical
up to 28cm in diameter. However, there’s no large pots up to 32cm in diameter. It has rating. For more on Shop Ethical ratings and
written labelling on the controls, so you may touch and slide controls but no written what they mean, see 73.
need the manual to understand the symbols labelling. This model comes with a five-
initially. The framed area may trap residue but year warranty, as opposed to the two-year
the touch controls are easy to wipe clean. warranty available for most other models.
LARGER OPTIONS
$4799 $2299
91% 91%
Miele KM 7574 FL Westinghouse WHI943BC
This 80cm model has a flexi zone that can be used as If you’re cooking for a bigger family and have the
two independent zones or as one large flexi zone. But kitchen space to install it, this 90cm model is a good
be mindful that the flexi zone may not have even heat option. It has four well-spaced cooking zones, each
distribution. Each cooking zone has its own set of controls with separate controls. Be mindful that the large zone
along with auto pan detection, which means the zone is positioned at the front, and very close to the edge
controls will flash when a pot is placed on the zone. of the cooktop. The controls have written labels (not
It has a twin booster function for faster heat up, Wi-Fi symbols), which makes them easier to use. This model
connectivity as well as ‘Con@ctivity’ functionality, also has Hob2Hood technology, meaning if you have
whereby a compatible rangehood reacts automatically a compatible rangehood, it will automatically turn on
to the settings on the cooktop. when using the cooktop.

INDUCTION COOKTOPS TEST
Installation dimensions (cm, W x D)

Cooking performance score (%)
Simmer score – white sauce (%)
High heat score – stir-fry (%)

Turn-down score – rice (%)
Pause or stop/go function

Number of cooking zones
Boil time (min:sec)
Warranty (years)
Recommended
Auto heat-up
Power boost
Flexi zones
Keep warm
Size (cm)
Price ($)
Origin
9 AEG IPE64551FB 2299 92 98 82 95 100 100 2:22 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 5 Germany
9 Miele KM 7200 FR 2199 92 100 80 100 100 100 3:57 9 9 9 9 3 57.4 56 x 49 2 Germany
9 Siemens EH675LDC1E 2099 92 100 80 100 100 100 3:42 9 9 9 3 60 56 x 49 5 Spain
9 Westinghouse WHI633BC 1399 92 97 84 100 90 100 4:12 9 9 9 9 3 60 56 x 49 2 China
9 Miele KM 7464 FL 2999 91 98 80 95 100 100 2:42 9 9 9 9 4 9 62 60 x 50 2 Germany
9 Miele KM 7574 FL 4799 91 98 81 95 100 100 2:32 9 9 9 9 4 9 80 78 x 50 2 Germany
9 Westinghouse WHI643BC 1599 91 98 80 95 100 100 2:18 9 9 9 4 60 56 x 49 2 China
9 Westinghouse WHI943BC 2299 91 98 80 95 100 100 2:26 9 9 9 4 90 88 x 49 2 China
Ikea BEJUBLAD 699 88 98 72 95 100 100 3:10 9 9 9 4 9 59 56 x 49 5 Italy
Beko BCT603IG 1499 87 93 78 95 85 100 2:16 9 9 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 5 Turkey
Chef CHI944BB 1999 87 92 80 85 90 100 3:15 9 9 9 9 4 90 88 x 49 2 China
Ikea HÖGKLASSIG 1099 87 92 79 100 100 75 2:34 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 5 Germany
Neff T56TS31N0 2099 87 95 74 95 90 100 3:41 9 9 9 9 3 9 60 56 x 49 4 Spain
Asko HI1655G 3099 86 93 75 85 95 100 4:50 9 (B) 9 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 48 5 Slovenia
Bosch PXE875DC1E 2799 86 93 76 100 100 80 4:00 9 9 9 9 4 9 80 78 x 50 2 Spain
Electrolux EHI645BE 1999 86 90 81 95 85 90 2:33 9 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 2 China
Miele KM 7678 FL 6349 86 88 82 95 80 90 2:30 9 9 9 9 (C) 9 (D) 80 78 x 50 2 Germany
Asko HI1621G 1699 85 90 77 95 85 90 4:34 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 5 Slovenia
Ariston NIS 642 FB AUS 1699 84 87 80 95 75 90 2:39 9 9 4 9 60 55 x 48 5 Italy
Bellini BI604TG 515 84 90 75 95 85 90 4:10 (A) 4 60 57 x 50 3 China
Bosch PXE651FC1E 2499 83 85 80 80 85 90 2:12 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 2 Spain
Fisher & Paykel CI604DTB4 2099 83 85 81 95 85 75 4:14 9 9 9 4 9 60 55 x 48 2 Thailand
Bosch PUJ611BB5E 1399 82 83 80 95 85 70 2:20 9 3 60 59 x 49 2 Spain
Euromaid IMZ64 1299 82 85 78 85 75 95 3:55 9 9 9 4 9 60 57 x 50 2 China
Haier HCI905FTB3 1499 82 85 78 95 85 75 3:46 9 9 9 5 9 90 86 x 48 2 China
Bosch PVS675FB5E 2099 81 83 77 95 80 75 4:04 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 2 Spain
DeLonghi DEIND603 1199 81 82 79 100 70 95 2:53 9 9 3 60 56 x 49 2 Italy
Fisher & Paykel CI604CTB1 1899 81 85 75 95 70 90 2:36 9 9 4 60 56 x 49 2 Thailand
Euromaid IMZ96 1799 80 83 76 95 80 75 3:20 9 9 9 6 9 90 87 x 50 2 China
Omega OCI64PP 698 80 85 72 80 75 100 4:05 4 60 56 x 49 2 China
Smeg SI2M7643B 1990 80 78 84 85 65 85 2:33 9 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 51 2 Germany
Beko BCT903IG 1799 79 82 74 80 90 75 3:54 9 9 9 9 5 90 88 x 49 5 Turkey
Whirlpool ACM804BA 1049 78 80 76 85 65 90 3:35 9 4 60 55 x 48 5 Italy
Beko BCT601IGN 1499 72 68 78 90 55 60 3:06 9 9 4 9 60 56 x 49 5 Turkey
IMAGE: GETTY
TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend induction cooktops with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 90%. Price Recommended retail, as of January 2023. Scores The CHOICE Expert
Rating is made up of cooking performance (60%) and ease of use (40%). Cooking performance score is made up of simmer, turn-down and high heat scores (weighted equally). (A) No boost. (B) When
using the auto cooking functions. (C) Up to six pans. (D) Full surface induction. Ventilation dimensions below and behind are not listed, as these vary depending on what the cooktop is being installed over
– for example, cabinetry shelves, drawers or an oven. Check the installation manual or contact the manufacturer to make sure your set-up complies with the requirements before buying.

52
Stay smart about air quality

Smart apps are nice to have, but they don’t guarantee good
air purifier performance, Chris Barnes explains
nly a few years ago, air their main task of filtering pollution
O purifiers were a niche

product in Australia, with
many people hardly even
aware of their existence. Now, as
a result of terrible bushfires
from the air. Our latest test adds
another 15 models to our review, with
new models from Mitsubishi Electric,
Panasonic, Bissell and Coway joining
the list of recommended
} Be aware of data privacy
policies for air purifier apps.
} The most important
and then COVID, we are models, and others proving feature to look for in an air
much more aware of just average (or worse).
purifier is a HEPA filter.
the need to improve The app can
our indoor air quality. serve as a remote Data privacy
Many households Of the 48 air purifiers
now own an air
control and may in our current review, detected in the room. In some cases,
purifier, and a offer other 18 have a companion the app allows control over multiple
number of major features app available. When products from the same brand.
brands have also you connect the air When deciding whether to use
added air purifiers to their purifier to your home these apps, it’s important to consider
catalogues in recent years. Wi-Fi network, the app their data privacy and security
And like many home appliances, can serve as a remote control policies. Look for clear statements
air purifiers are getting smarter — at and may offer other features, such as about the brand’s data policies,
least in the sense of including apps for automating on/off times and settings which should be available on the
greater convenience. However, they for the purifier, or showing data such app store or on
aren’t necessarily getting better at as the amount of pollution being the brand’s

AIR PURIFIERS TEST
website. They may collect location BEST OVERALL BEST FOR REMOVING VOCS
and personal user information for the
purpose of analysing typical usage
and improving the app and the
appliance. They should state clearly
that such data is encrypted and
stored securely, not shared without
your permission, and that you can
control what data is collected.
While these apps can make the
purifier easier to use, they don’t
necessarily improve its actual air
cleaning performance. And if you’re
concerned about data privacy or any $999 $1730
other aspect of these apps, you can
skip them; they aren’t necessary
to operate any of these air purifiers.
87% 74%
Samsung AX7500K InovaAir Airclean
How air purifiers work (AX90T7080WD) E20 Plus
Typically, an air purifier uses a fan One of the bigger units in our review, This is by far the best in our test
to draw in air from the room and force with big performance to match. It’s at removing VOCs from indoor air;
it through a set of filters, which trap the best overall performer, runs if those are a concern for you, then
pollutants like dust, pollen, pet quietly and is very easy to use. It’s the put this air purifier on your shortlist.
dander, smoke particles, various best we tested for removing dust and It’s also easy to operate, and OK at
chemicals, mould spores and germs. smoke from the air, though it isn’t so removing dust and smoke. However,
The cleaned air is then blown back good at removing VOCs, and its filter it’s relatively expensive to buy, as are
out into the room. Air purifiers usually replacement costs are relatively high. its filter replacements.
have air quality sensors and other
features to help them perform this BEST BUDGET BUYS
task more effectively.
Filter types
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air):
The main filter in most air purifiers,
and we recommend you don’t buy an
air purifier without one. It traps very
small particles that are invisible to the
naked eye. Generally, HEPA filters can
trap at least 99.95% of dust, smoke,
mould and other particles in the air,
down to a tiny 0.3 microns in size. $599 $549
Carbon or charcoal: Traps odours
and volatile organic compounds 73% 71%
(VOCs) such as formaldehyde. Philips Series
Ionic or ionisation: Uses charged
Bissell Air320
2000i AC2939/70 3002F
particles (ions) which attach to
pollutant particles and break them These are the cheapest of our recommended models and are similar in
down or make them drop out of the performance to each other. The Philips is a little dearer, but has cheaper filter
air. Ionisation of air can produce small replacements than the Bissell. But if you don’t run the air purifier often, the
amounts of ozone, which is an irritant Bissell’s higher filter costs may not be a concern. The Bissell is comparatively
IMAGE: GETTY
to breathing; if you’re susceptible noisy on its low fan setting, which may be annoying at night in a bedroom. If
to such irritation, it may be best you’re after a cheaper model which is still an OK performer, the Kogan, Kmart,
to avoid ionisation purifiers. Philips Series 1000 AC1215/70 and Ikea Starkvind models are worth a look.

Shop Ethical rating
About the rest How we test NOTES: Other
Our recommended models We test air purifiers for how BRAND RATING
brands in our review
offer the best combination of well they remove three types Anko Kmart C not mentioned
Beko C here don’t have a
performance and ease of use. of pollutants from the air: Shop Ethical rating.
Most of the other models in our dust (we use titanium dioxide Bissell C For more on Shop
test are at least reasonably particles), smoke (from burning Ethical ratings and
Breville D
what they mean,
effective and many are worth wood chips) and VOCs (acetone). DeLonghi D see p73.
considering, but they simply Each unit is tested on its highest Hitachi C
don’t match the performance fan speed setting. Performance Ikea C
of the recommended models. scores are weighted mainly for
Kogan F
It’s probably no coincidence dust and smoke removal.
Mitsubishi Electric F
that some of the lowest scoring We also measure noise levels
Panasonic F
models in the table are also on low and high power, and how
among the smallest models easy the purifiers are to use. Samsung F
tested; it appears that an air This includes using the controls Sharp F
purifier needs a certain amount and the remote control if there Sunbeam F
of fan power and filter surface is one, how easy the unit is to Xiaomi F
area to effectively and quickly clean, and how clear the
clean a large amount of air. instructions are.
Ozone: Said to be good for removing HEPA filters are not usually last longer and your yearly costs
odours, but at low levels it’s been washable and you’ll need to factor will be lower.
shown to be ineffective at removing in buying replacements. That said, Most air purifiers have a warning
air pollution, and at high levels it you may be able to extend the life indicator to let you know when it’s
can cause breathing irritation. We of the HEPA filter by gently brushing time to clean or replace the filters.
recommend you avoid models that or vacuuming its surface to stop it Alternatively, the instructions might
generate ozone. clogging up with dust. simply specify to replace the filters
Ultraviolet (UV): Can kill viruses, Some models have individual after a certain period of time, such
bacteria and mould spores. But UV filters that can be replaced as as every six months.
light takes at least a few minutes needed. Others have an all-in-one
to kill germs, and it’s unlikely any filter cartridge, which can be Features and specifications
germs passing through the air more convenient, but may mean Air quality sensors measure and
purifier will be exposed to the you’re replacing the whole display the level of air pollution.
UV that long. lot when only one of the filter Fans draw in air and push it through
types actually needs replacing. the filters, then blow the cleaned air
Filter cleaning Replacement filters can cost back into the room.
and replacement over $200 a year, depending Apps and remote controls can be
An air purifier may have on how much you use the great for convenience, but note the
multiple filters that purifier and how much pollution data privacy considerations.
need regular cleaning is in the indoor air. If you’re Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
or replacement. It’s able to run the air purifier only is an industry standard measure
more economical occasionally (e.g. on smoky or of the volume of air that the purifier
to wash and reuse high-pollen days), the filters will can clean.
a filter than to buy
replacements each TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend air purifiers that score at least 70% overall. Price Recommended
retail or typical retail price as of January 2023. Annual replacement filter cost Estimated cost per year for replacing
time, especially if you’ll filters, based on manufacturer recommendation and assuming best case for how long the filter is claimed to last.
be using the air purifier CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of performance (70%) and ease of use (30%). Comparative energy efficiency
frequently. Most pre- E Excellent, O OK, B Borderline, P Poor, Noise VQ Very quiet, Q Quiet, N Noisy, VN Very noisy. Filters O Optional.
(A) 3–5 years for HEPA filter, 6 months for pre-filter, 1–3 years for carbon filters. (B) 12–15 months for HEPA filter, 3–4
filters and carbon filters months for carbon filter. (C) When alerted by unit. Models in table with remote control: Breville The Air Rounder
can be washed and Plus Connect LPH708WHT2JAN1; Kmart. Previously tested models with CHOICE Expert Ratings of 55% and below
are left out for space.
reused multiple times.

AIR PURIFIERS TEST
COSTS PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Annual replacement filter cost ($)
Comparative energy efficiency

Smoke performance score (%)
HEPA/charcoal filter change

Dust performance score (%)
VOC performance score (%)
Dimensions (cm, H x W x D)
(high setting / low setting)

Performance score (%)
Noise assessment
interval (months)
UV sterilisation
Recommended
Ionisation filter
Charcoal filter
HEPA filter
Wi-Fi app
Pre-filter
Price ($)
9 Samsung AX7500K (AX90T7080WD) 999 298 87 90 80 95 95 43 O Q/Q 9 9 9 6–12 9 106 x 40 x 32
9 Philips Series 3000i AC3033/73 799 50 80 80 80 81 83 65 O N/VQ 9 9 9 36 9 64 x 29 x 29
9 Blueair 3610 929 280 78 85 60 88 90 48 E Q/VQ 9 9 9 6 52 x 33 x 34
9 Mitsubishi Electric E85R (MA-E85R-A) 1099 60 78 77 80 79 80 51 B N/VQ 9 9 9 96 55 x 42 x 24
9 Sharp FX-J80J-W 749 75 78 77 80 79 82 44 O Q/VQ 9 9 9 9 24 73 x 41 x 29
9 Samsung AX5500K (AX60T5080WD) 799 149 76 74 80 77 79 35 O Q/Q 9 9 9 6–12 9 78 x 37 x 32
9 InovaAir Airclean E20 Plus 1730 224 74 72 80 69 69 95 P N/N 9 9 9 36–60 (A) 66 x 39 x 39
9 Philips Series 2000i AC2939/70 599 46 73 70 80 73 74 43 O N/VQ 9 9 9 36 9 58 x 27 x 27
9 Panasonic F-PXU70M 989 134 72 69 80 72 74 35 O Q/VQ 9 9 9 24 56 x 37 x 28
9 Winix Zero+ Pro 5 Stage AUS-1250AZPU 785 169 72 69 80 72 71 45 O Q/N 9 9 9 9 12 59 x 40 x 23
9 Bissell Air320 3002F 549 114 71 71 70 72 75 45 B VN/VN 9 9 9 6 65 x 37 x 22
9 Coway 1516D Storm 1399 269 71 72 70 75 76 40 O Q/VQ 9 9 9 12 77 x 41 x 24
Breville The Smart Air Plus Connect LAP508 599 100 68 63 80 67 70 10 B VN/VQ 9 9 9 9 6–12 9 53 x 27 x 27
Winix Zero 4 Stage AUS-1050AZBU 670 149 68 63 80 66 66 31 O Q/N 9 9 9 9 12 60 x 37 x 21
Hitachi EP-NZG70J 899 18 67 66 70 72 71 17 O Q/VQ 9 9 120 67 x 36 x 26
Kogan SmarterHome 5-Stage 3S 200 280 67 61 80 63 65 34 P N/VQ 9 9 9 9 3 9 60 x 38 x 21
KASMTPRIFRA
Samsung X32 Essential AX32BG3100GBSA 399 119 67 66 70 69 69 36 O N/VQ 9 9 9 6–12 9 50 x 35 x 23
TruSens Z3000 549 128 67 61 80 67 67 10 P VN/Q 9 9 9 9 12–15 (B) 73 x 26 x 26
Kmart Anko KJ300GR-G1E 159 68 66 64 70 68 70 17 B Q/Q 9 9 9 9 8–12 57 x 35 x 22
Philips Series 1000 AC1215/70 218 130 66 56 90 59 58 31 B Q/Q 9 9 9 6–12 54 x 33 x 21
Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 3H 350 60 66 64 70 67 66 43 O Q/N 9 9 9 6–12 9 52 x 24 x 24
Ionmax ION430 489 276 65 63 70 66 66 35 P Q/VQ 9 9 9 9 3 60 x 37 x 22
Kogan SmarterHome 5 Stage 4S 239 172 64 61 70 63 63 39 B Q/N 9 9 9 3 9 50 x 27 x 30
KAIRPRFR4SA
Coway AP1018F AU 530 140 63 60 70 62 62 37 O Q/VQ 9 9 9 12 64 x 38 x 18
Ikea Starkvind E2007 199 90 63 60 70 65 65 17 O Q/VQ 9 9 6 9 53 x 51 x 19
Ionmax Breeze Plus ION422 399 70 62 54 80 58 57 17 P N/Q 9 9 9 9 9 6 9 45 x 33 x 17
Beko ATP 7100I 399 89 61 57 70 61 62 17 O VN/Q 9 9 9 (C) 54 x 27 x 27
Sunbeam Fresh Protect SAP1000WH 249 50 58 49 80 52 54 17 P N/N 9 9 9 9 9 8–2 38 x 23 x 23
Beurer LR310 400 200 57 47 80 52 48 17 P Q/VQ 9 9 9 9 6 43 x 39 x 14
IMAGE: GETTY
Smartmi P1 ZMKQJHQPII 299 59 57 52 70 55 56 17 B Q/VQ 9 9 6–12 9 36 x 22 x 22

Vornado AC350-(AU) 329 152 57 51 70 56 52 17 P Q/Q 9 9 6–12 45 x 33 x 27
Breville The Smart Air Connect Purifier 399 90 56 46 80 50 50 10 B N/Q 9 9 9 9 6–12 9 39 x 23 x 23
LAP308
Heller HAP120 300 60 56 50 70 53 54 17 P Q/VN 9 9 9 12 70 x 19 x 23
InovaAir Airclean E8 875 132 56 50 70 49 46 75 P Q/N 9 9 9 36–60 (A) 52 x 32 x 32
TruSens Z-2000 399 76 54 47 70 50 50 17 B N/VQ 9 9 9 9 12–15 (B) 55 x 23 x 24
Breville The Air Rounder Plus Connect 599 105 53 45 70 46 45 36 B Q/N 9 9 9 9–12 9 59 x 27 x 25
LPH708WHT2JAN1
Air Purifiers Australia AD-06 239 116 43 32 70 34 33 17 B Q/N 9 9 9 3 34 x 21 x 21

56
THE PRIVACY
ISSUE
Who’s that at the door?

Protecting your personal data is important, but there are other privacy laws
to consider when using a smart doorbell, says Peter Zaluzny
A
smart doorbell can be Though manufacturers should aren’t always accurate, as some
a great addition to your ensure that their products are safe incidents in recent years have shown.
home security set-up. The to sell in Australia, much of the onus The most infamous example
ability to monitor, record lands on you to set up additional was when hackers took control of
and interact with visitors via audio and security measures. You also need Amazon Ring security cameras
video lets you keep on top of all the to make sure that your doorbell is in people’s homes. Last year, security
comings and goings at your front operating within the privacy laws researchers also found that Eufy was
door. Being able to do this of your state or territory. transferring unencrypted user data
at home, or while you’re to their cloud.
away, provides peace Are smart doorbells While you can’t do much to fix
of mind all day long. These devices secure? manufacturer issues like these, there
But some well- No, in the sense are some additional steps you can
publicised security may not be all that any internet- take to help protect your data.
flaws have shown that great at connected device
that these devices is at risk of being Protecting your privacy
protecting your
may not be all that hacked. However, Follow the usual online security
great at protecting privacy most brands claim rules. Use a unique, strong password,
your privacy. That’s just to have robust security change it every few months and
the start of it. You also systems, such as data turn on two-factor authentication.
need to consider the privacy encryption (whether it’s being Avoid common passwords like
of others when installing and using stored locally or in the cloud) and birthdays and pet names as these
the doorbell to record interactions other tools to stop unauthorised are easy to guess and don’t require
with guests – wanted or otherwise. remote access. But these claims hacking tools.

SMART DOORBELLS TEST
Enable automatic updates, or and family violence where smart There are also important
regularly check and manually install devices have been used to harass distinctions between what is
them. These will patch vulnerabilities victim/survivors, through spying or considered intentional recording
(among other things) that could remote accessing and changing of or surveillance, and content that
otherwise be exploited. settings, for example. is captured incidentally.
Check the update policy and You have a responsibility to ensure
look for products that offer long Protecting others’ privacy that your smart doorbell doesn’t
support cycles – for example, States and territories have strict infringe on the privacy of others,
“we guarantee security updates rules regarding the use of surveillance including neighbours and visitors
for five years after launch”. The equipment for home security and to your home. Contact the police
longer the better because once recording and storing footage. in your area for legal confirmation
this period ends, the doorbell Smart doorbells cover a lot of if you have concerns.
could be vulnerable. the same ground as they’re VIDEO (aka optical surveillance)
Finally, remember to mount the designed to be always on, used Recording video is typically fine
doorbell securely if you’re installing for surveillance, and are able to when the camera is installed on your
it yourself. You don’t want someone capture footage. own property and isn’t capturing
to come by and rip it off, especially Laws vary depending on where or monitoring what could reasonably
if recordings are stored in the unit. you live, but it all comes down to be considered a private conversation
consent between the parties or location. So, in New South Wales
Do you need the cloud? involved and whether interactions for example, a doorbell capturing
Cloud storage has its advantages. are taking place in what could part of a public footpath is fine, but
It’s an additional point of backup reasonably be considered private may be a problem if it can also see
that doesn’t require extra investment or public locations. through your neighbour’s window.
in onsite storage like a hard drive,
and it protects data from someone
breaking in and physically taking
it from your home. You can also
access stills and video on the go
if you need to. But it’s also an
additional possible point of entry
for cybercriminals.
Using the cloud means putting
your faith in security claims made
by the service providers. Large
server farms that store the personal
data of hundreds of thousands of
users are a much more tempting
prize for hackers than your hard drive
at home. This alone may mean the
cloud isn’t worth the risk.
Deleting old accounts

If a housemate, partner or family
member has access to the smart
doorbell, remember to delete their
account and change the password
when they move out. Otherwise they
may still have remote access to the
camera, microphone, settings and
other functions.
IMAGE: GETTY
Though most people are unlikely

to do anything nefarious if you forget,
there have been cases of partner

If you
record a UP IN THE CLOUDS
conversation with 77%
someone ... you Google Nest Doorbell
must receive
Though this is the most expensive smart doorbell in
consent our test, it justifies its price tag for the most part. Video
quality is at the upper end of good and its audio quality
is far better than any of the other models in our test. It
AUDIO also earned the best results in our privacy and security
This is where the law gets a lot tests, though it’s worth noting that Google doesn’t
more specific. Every state and provide any information as to where the storage
territory, except Queensland and servers are located. This is a bit of a problem
Victoria, requires consent from all as the Nest Doorbell doesn’t have local storage
$329
parties involved to record a private – everything goes to the cloud. Even so, there’s
conversation. This includes all devices a lot to like here, including the option to use a
capable of recording audio, even if battery or hardwired power, Google Assistant
it’s not the device’s primary function support, infrared lighting for night vision and IP54
(such as a smartphone). weather resistance.
So, if you record a conversation with
someone at your door via the smart
doorbell, you must receive consent KEEPING IT LOCAL
from them and provide it yourself,
even if the recording happens on your
69%
property. However, exemptions apply Eufy Wireless Battery Video Doorbell
if a recording is reasonably necessary with 2K HD Resolution
for the protection of the lawful
interests of a party. This model fell just shy of a recommendation by one percentage point, but
SHARING CONTENT it’s still worth considering if you prefer to use local storage rather than the
Social media is full of “amazing cloud. However, you do need to buy the HomeBase2 unit
incidents caught on camera”. But (either separately or in a bundle) and connect it
you may want to think twice about to your home network, as the doorbell itself
uploading videos from your doorbell doesn’t have any onboard storage options. $215
because that could be illegal. Like Google, Eufy isn’t transparent about whether
NSW law, for example, states data is processed in the cloud and where, and the
that it’s illegal to publish “a private privacy policy couldn’t be accessed in the app at
conversation or a record of the the time of testing.
carrying on of an activity … that has However, Eufy has
come to the person’s knowledge apparently resolved
as a direct or indirect result of the the encryption issues
use of a listening device [or] an optical mentioned earlier.
surveillance device…” Like audio It has a lot of nice
recordings, there are exemptions if features otherwise,
an offence has been committed, or including 2K video
if express consent has been given. support, activity
Publishing is also permitted if there zones, Google Home
is implied consent. and Alexa support
But if your doorbell captures and IP65 weather
a delivery person carelessly throwing resistance. The
your package at the door, sharing lack of infrared
the footage online may be a breach light, however,
if the activity is considered private, means it may
so it’s probably not worth the risk. struggle at night.

SMART DOORBELLS TEST
Dust/weather sealing claims

Privacy/security score (%)

Recharge score (%)
Google Assistant
Human detection
Country of origin
Dimensions (cm)
Sound score (%)
Install score (%)
Internal storage
Video score (%)
Recommended
Angle of view**
Cloud storage*
Activity zones
App score (%)
Infrared light
Resolution**
Price ($)
Alexa
9 Google Nest Doorbell 329 77 79 70 90 70 60 79 9 1280 x 145° IP54 9 9 9 16 x 5 x 3 Thailand
960
9 Ring Video Doorbell 3 299 70 72 60 90 60 55 69 9 1080p 160° Weather 9 9 9 13 x 6.5 Vietnam
resistant x3
Eufy Wireless Battery 215 69 76 50 90 60 60 63 9 (A) 2560 x 160° IP65 9 9 9 9 14 x 5.5 China
Video Doorbell with 2K 1920 x3
HD Resolution
Arlo Essential Video 255 68 81 40 90 48 60 71 9 ns 180° Weather 9 9 9 9 9 14.5 x 5 Indonesia
Doorbell Wire-Free resistant x4
Ring Video Doorbell 2nd 230 68 72 48 90 60 55 69 9 1080 155° Water 9 9 9 13 x 6.5 x China
Generation resistant 2.5
Eufy Wireless Battery 2K 245 67 79 35 90 60 60 63 9 (A) 2560 × 160°, ns 9 9 9 9 17 x 6 x China
Video Doorbell Dual Cameras 1920, 97° 3.5
with Parcel Monitoring 1600 ×
1200
Ring Video Doorbell 4 245 67 69 48 90 60 55 69 9 1080p 160° Weather 9 9 9 13 x 6.5 Vietnam
resistant x3
Orion Grid Connect Smart 245 64 72 33 90 58 55 63 9 (B) 1080p 140° IP54 9 13.5 x China
Wireless Video Doorbell 5.5 x 4
Tmezon Smart Home Video 190 63 66 48 80 60 55 63 9 (C) 9 ns 145° IP65 9 15 x 5.5 China
Doorbell x4
Swann Buddy Video 215 57 63 25 80 58 55 63 9 (B) 9 1080p 180° ns 9 9 9 9 9 14 x 6 x China
Doorbell 3.5
Kogan SmarterHome Smart 235 53 66 43 60 50 10 61 9 (B) 2MP 145° IP54 9 9 13.5 x 6 China
Doorbell 2 Pro x3
TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend products with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% and above. Price Recommended retail or typical retail price as of
January 2023. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of video (30%), sound (20%), application (20%), installation (10%), recharging (10%), privacy and security (10%).
IMAGE: GETTY
*May require paid subscription. **Claimed. Eufy doorbell has two resolutions and angles of view for top and bottom cameras. (A) 16GB built into external HomeBase2
unit. (B) MicroSD, 128 GB maximum. (C) MicroSD. na Not applicable. ns Not stated. The Orion, Tmezon and Kogan products are battery-operated only, but all other
models can be both battery-operated or hardwired to an existing powered doorbell. .

60
Lock it down
Don’t bother with a brain-dead bolt. A good-quality smart THE PRIVACY
ISSUE
lock can improve home security, says Peter Zaluzny
How do smart
A
re you still opening your access feature that grants
door with a key like some locks work? single, or short-term, entry
sort of caveman? A smart ‘Smart lock’ is a bit of a with a temporary code that
lock can turn this boring catch-all term for locks that expires after a set number of
chore into the most exciting part don’t use a key. We test uses or a pre-set time period.
of your day. models that have Bluetooth, All of the smart locks
Smart locks can be controlled using Wi-Fi or both, as these in our test are AA battery-
a range of online and offline access wireless connection powered. They include a
options, including PIN (personal methods tend to fit with charge indicator, usually in
identification number), biometrics, what consumers think the app, which you need to keep an
geofencing and even smartphone of when they hear ‘smart device’. eye on. If the battery dies, the lock will
apps that connect via Bluetooth. Other unlock options include PIN, stop working and you may end up
Smart locks also add security and biometrics (fingerprint) and key fobs. stuck outside waiting for a locksmith
monitoring features that can help Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity gives (unless it has a back-up keyhole lock).
keep your home safe. But like any you the option to use an app as a key, Some do allow you to power the lock
online device, there are some risks and features like geofencing or remote from a power bank or smartphone via
you should consider before buying. access. Some even have a temporary USB, but this isn’t a longterm solution.

SMART LOCKS TEST
KEEPING THE KEYHOLE a Wi-Fi bridge between the lock and

Most smart locks include your home network which increases
a traditional keyhole lock the overall cost.
that’s designed as SMARTPHONE
a handy backup in case All but a couple of models
you lose your phone, Most smart in our test require a
forget the code, if the locks include smartphone during
batteries die or if the the initial set-up.
a traditional
lock’s smart features However, most don’t
fail altogether. Keyless
keyhole lock that’s force you to keep
units can look sleeker, designed as a using it to unlock
but you run the risk handy backup the door unless you
of being stuck outside want to change certain
in the worst-case scenario. settings. But you will miss
A locksmith might be able to out on a lot of extra features and
open a keyless unit if you lock security tools without a smartphone.
yourself out, but it can be difficult
and time-consuming. Buying the right lock
SECURITY FEATURES The easiest way to mount a smart lock
All but the most basic smart is to find one that can use the existing
locks include security and holes on your door. Pay attention to
monitoring tools. They all auto the setback of the hole from the edge
lock after a certain period of time and of the door, and the diameter of the
offer access logs, which keep track of hole for the lock to fit into. The two
who has come, gone and attempted main types of traditional lock
to enter. These features may need to mechanisms are:
be manually activated. Deadbolt: A long, cylindrical bar that
User accounts are a must if you slides back and forth between the
live in a household with more than door and frame.
one person. The admin account has Latch: A spring mechanism with
complete control while access can a smaller, triangular-shaped bar that
be restricted for other users. For fits into the frame.
example, an adult user could open the If you match the fitting correctly,
lock via an app whereas a child who is the traditional lock mechanism can
too young for a smartphone may only be swapped out with a smart lock
have the option for PIN entry. with little to no boring required.
Meanwhile, the external parts of
Required tech a smart lock, such as the handle or
INTERNET CONNECTION keypad, just bolt onto the door.
Although smart locks are generally There are some exceptions,
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled, you however. These are:
can get smart locks that are able Barrel-only smart lock: A deadbolt
to function completely offline. tube that fits into the mechanism’s
However, networking adds extra cylindrical bore. They have a small
features and functions that can footprint with no handle, screen,
help improve home security. keypad or interface of any kind
Bluetooth locks have an app with and can only open via an app.
extra features and functions. Wi-Fi Key turner smart lock: This type
connectivity opens up remote access doesn’t have an internal lock
IMAGE: GETTY
so you can receive updates in real mechanism, it simply piggybacks

time and control the lock when you’re onto your existing deadbolt or latch
not home. However, this may require lock (on the inside of the door), and

is operated with an app. Requires SECURITY SETTINGS authentication, enable automatic
minimal installation, but does need Most smart locks have one updates and look for products that
an existing compatible lock in order or more of these options come with long support cycles.
to work. available, though you BLUETOOTH
Mortice smart lock: An older typically need to activate Bluetooth locks send data
lock design that houses the lock them through the accompanying app. to and from a connected
mechanism in a large rectangular Anti-peep: Lets you add a random smartphone or tablet, to
block called a pocket. The selection of numbers before and after authenticate user details and open
mechanism can be a deadbolt, the actual code to confuse anyone the door. Without proper encryption,
latch or both in some cases. Though who may be watching. hackers can grab information used
you can replace a deadbolt or latch Away mode: Emits an alarm and to open the lock as it’s travelling from
with a mortice lock, carving out the sends alerts to your phone during your mobile device.
extra pocket space is a lot of work. an unauthorised entry. Unlike Wi-Fi, someone needs to be
Lock mode: Disables access for all within range of the device to intercept
Protecting your privacy users except admins. data. Bluetooth has a clear line of sight
There are risks involved when Lockdown mode: Disables access range of up to 240 metres, depending
using a connected device of after a few failed entry attempts for on the version installed on the smart
any kind, including smart locks. a set period of time. The time can lock. It’s up to the manufacturer to
While you might assume hacking be adjusted. make sure that proper encryption tools
is only a risk for Wi-Fi-enabled You will also need to follow are in place. But this information isn’t
models, Bluetooth can be the usual security rules for smart always readily available for consumers.
compromised as well. But there devices, particularly Wi-Fi locks That’s not to say your data is definitely
are a few preventative measures with remote access. Use a strong, at risk, but it is worth contacting the
you can take. unique password, enable two-factor company if you have any concerns.
MANAGING OLD
ACCOUNTS
Remember to delete
old user accounts when
someone moves out of your home
and check one-time access codes
to ensure that they have expired after
use. You also need to disable remote
access for former users and reset your
administrator password, just in case.
Are they easy to install?

This all depends on your DIY skills,
but installing a smart lock should
be within the capabilities of most
people who have access to YouTube
and a basic tool kit. Key turners,
in particular, are specifically made
for easy mounting.
Deadbolts and mortice locks
should be straightforward, as long
as the required space has already
been bored out, or you’re replacing
an existing lock. Any additional work
on the door probably requires the
help of a specialist like a locksmith,
or a carpenter, particularly if you
don’t have much DIY experience.

SMART LOCKS TEST
DEADBOLT DOOR LATCH LOCK

$279 $189
79% 73%
Eufy T8510T11 Orion DL031HA
Our top scoring model is packed with a range of entry Even though this model didn’t quite get
options including PIN, fingerprint and smartphone a recommendation, it’s the top scoring latch model in
app via Bluetooth. Remote access is also available, our test and definitely worth considering if you don’t want
but you need to buy the optional Wi-Fi bridge to access to use a deadbolt. Bear in mind, however, that it’s as big
this and other networking features. It has a back-up as a mortice lock so installation may get quite involved,
keyhole and a micro-USB port for emergency power especially if you need to start carving out chunks of wood.
if the batteries die. While it has the best ease of use The optional app isn’t required during set-up, which is a
score in our test, we couldn’t adjust the auto lock period plus, but connecting it to the lock opens up a bunch of
despite this setting being available in the app – it just extra features. You will need Wi-Fi connectivity to access
didn’t work. You will need a phone to set things up, but these though, because this lock doesn’t have Bluetooth.
after that it can operate offline and without Bluetooth Back-up entry options include a keyhole and emergency
if you’d prefer. power via micro-USB.
Online account required for app

Privacy and security score (%)
Geofencing (auto-entry)
Unlock range score (%)
Lock mechanism type
Door thickness (mm)*

Key fobs included
Country of origin
Fingerprint entry
Unlock score (%)
Remote access
Recommended
Guest access
Away mode
App entry
Anti-peep
Bluetooth
PIN entry
Keyhole
Price ($)
Wi-Fi
9 Eufy T8510T11 Deadbolt 279 79 82 78 80 61 9 (B) 9 9 9 9 (B) 9 9 35–55 9 China

9 Schlage S1 C5 Deadbolt 238 78 81 78 80 64 9 (B) 9 9 9 (B) 9 9 9 35–55 9 China
9 Ultraloq U-BOLT-SN V2.26 Deadbolt 149 77 80 78 80 55 9 (B) 9 9 9 9 (B) 9 9 35–45 9 China
Lockly PGD7YAZMB Deadbolt 200 73 73 78 80 55 9 (B) 9 9 9 (B) na 9 35–50 9 China
Orion DL031HA Latch 189 73 68 80 na 68 9 9 9 4 9 9 9 9 35–55 9 China
Lemaar 59200GBLK Latch, 319 72 67 80 na 68 9 9 9 2 9 9 9 33–50 9 ns
deadbolt (A)
Kogan KASHFNGDLKA Latch, 130 69 61 80 na 68 9 9 9 2 9 9 9 9 35–100 9 China
deadbolt (A)
Lane L520844 Deadbolt 348 69 66 74 80 62 9 (B) 9 9 2 9 (B) 9 9 35–51 9 China
Nuki Smart Lock 3.0 - Euro - Key turner 319 68 68 71 53 78 9 (B) 9 (C) (B) na 9 na Romania
INT 220799
Samsung SDS SHP-DS705 Deadbolt 235 66 62 74 53 79 9 9 2 9 9 9 40–50 Korea
TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend products with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75% or more. Price Recommended retail or typical retail price as of February
IMAGE: GETTY
2023. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of ease of use (50%), unlocking (30%), unlock range (10%) and app privacy and security (10%). Models without Bluetooth don’t
undergo the unlock range test. For these, the CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of ease of use (50%), unlocking (40%) and app privacy and security (10%). * Adjustable
range supported by the lock. (A) Mortice lock. (B) Available with optional bridge. (C) Via existing lock keyhole. na not applicable. ns not stated.

64
Secure sound } A smart soundbar

may be handy for music
streaming when the TV
Improving your TV sound shouldn’t come at a cost to is off, but if you don’t
your privacy. Denis Gallagher highlights the issues need Wi-Fi don’t use it.
} Almost all soundbars
O
ur listening panel results (either through Google Chromecast, will deliver a better audio
show that, with few Alexa or sometimes Apple Siri). This experience than the sound
exceptions, soundbars means you can simply talk to the
you will get from a TV.
deliver better sound than soundbar to play an album from your
that produced by your TV speakers. favourite music streaming service or
Simply plug the soundbar into your podcast in much the same way as
TV and whatever you’re watching will you would your smartphone. to standby energy, with all the
generally sound better. If you feel uncomfortable knowing models in the table scoring 40% or
that your soundbar’s mic is always below for this assessment and more
Is your device listening? listening for a command, you can than half scoring 0%. This means
WI-FI PROS AND CONS either disable the feature on the they’re drawing at least 2W even
Wi-Fi support on a soundbar allows soundbar or remove the device from when the unit isn’t doing anything.
you to stream music at the highest your local network. Of the models with BLUETOOTH SUPPORT
quality possible through your wireless Wi-Fi connectivity, the JBL and Sony An alternative to having yet another
home network. But it also models require another device device connected to the internet
means there is yet another (such as your smartphone is to use Bluetooth (all models in
device in the home that or a smart speaker) to this test have Bluetooth support)
is connected to the Soundbars operate the voice to stream your favourite music
internet, often with with Wi-Fi are assistant and this may from your smart device, without the
various permissions among the worst be a better option soundbar needing to be connected
enabled that you performers when it if you’re concerned to the internet.
may or may not have about privacy at home.
comes to standby
explicitly given. Also note that What is ARC and eARC, and
energy which cable?
Most of the soundbars soundbars with Wi-Fi
with Wi-Fi include direct are among the worst The simplest audio connection
support for voice assistance performers when it comes between a TV and soundbar is the

SOUNDBARS TEST
optical audio connection or Toslink. BEST OVERALL

But while this is a handy connection, it
can’t deliver the highest quality audio.
The HDMI audio return channel $399 $1499
(ARC) provides an automatic two-way
transfer of audio between the TV
and soundbar, as well as additional
controls for volume and power via
a single HDMI cable connection
between the soundbar and the TV.
The latest HDMI 2.1 standard has
support for the latest video formats
85% 81%
Polk Signa S2 Dali Katch One
such as 8K and even higher frame
rates (good for gamers), as well as The fact that this model is still widely While not cheap, this model impressed
audio formats such as uncompressed available after several years supports our listening panel with very good
5.1 and 7.1-channel audio, including our high regard for what must be the stereo quality and excellent
high bit-rate 3D audio formats such as best priced performance soundbar performance for movie audio. There
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These higher we have tested. It doesn’t support are multiple audio input options, two
quality audio technologies are very Dolby Atmos or DTS-X, but HDMI ARC optical (Toslink) audio inputs, a 3.5mm
demanding and require an enhanced makes it compatible with your 4K auxiliary input connection and HDMI
audio return channel or eARC. player and TV and should satisfy most ARC support; making this a good
Don’t worry if you find that your of your requirements. option for use as a soundbar and
TV is compatible with eARC, but Our listening panel felt it did such as a premium speaker for music. The
your soundbar is only compatible a good job with the stereo separation selection panel on top gives you easy
with ARC. You’ll still be able to listen that it felt like there was an additional access to the various sources, whether
to high-quality audio through your height channel when assessing the you’re watching TV or listening to
sound system. However, due to movie audio. music on a CD player or on your
bandwidth limitations, you won’t hear At less than 6cm high, this is also a smartphone via Bluetooth with aptX.
the full audio experience on offer. great soundbar for a TV that isn’t wall While not particularly heavy, at
Don’t spend more than $30 on mounted as it won’t obstruct your view around 17cm high, the soundbar
HDMI cables for your soundbar or when in front of your TV on a table. could obstruct viewing if placed in
devices to connect to your TV. Look There’s no Wi-Fi so it doesn’t front of the TV. Ideally it should be
for the term ‘HDMI with ethernet’ in support music streaming services by placed below a wall-mounted TV
the model description for the best itself, but Bluetooth lets you enjoy using the funky leather straps or
price and performance cable option. music directly from your smartphone, on a table using its wooden feet.
tablet or laptop. An auxiliary port also While the Dali Katch One costs
means you can plug in an iPod or other more than four times as much as the
Shop Ethical rating music player using a 3.5mm jack. The Polk Signa S2, you do get a powerful
BRAND RATING NOTES Other listening panel was impressed with the sound, a striking design and loads of
brands in our vocal clarity, the clear sound delivered audio options.
Bauhn (Aldi) C review not
mentioned when playing stereo passages, and
Denon F
here don’t have the surprisingly good audio separation
Hisense F a Shop Ethical when listening to movies.
JBL F rating. For While the lack of smart features
more on Shop
Kogan F Ethical ratings and support for higher end audio
LG C and what they formats may point to a mid-priced
mean, see soundbar, the overall sound quality
Panasonic F
p73.
delivers at a level much higher than
Polk F
the asking price.
Samsung F
IMAGE: GETTY
Sony F
TCL F
Yamaha C
COSTS PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Annual standby running cost ($)
Multichannel listening score (%)
Number of internal speakers

Automatic room calibration
Soundbar dimensions (cm)

Subwoofer / rear speakers

Standby energy score (%)
Music quality score (%)
Voice quality score (%)
Subwoofer weight (kg)

Soundbar weight (kg)

Multichannel claim
Remote score (%)
Warranty (years)
Recommended
Auxiliary input
Dolby Atmos
HDMI inputs
Price ($)
DTS-X
Wi-Fi
9 Polk Signa S2 399 1.40 85 97 93 97 58 60 80 9/ – 0 9 2.1 4 5.5 x 90 x 8.5 1.8 5.3 1
9 Dali Katch One 1499 1.20 81 92 83 92 61 60 80 –/– 0 9 ns 10 16.5 x 86 x 9 3.7 na 1
9 Bose Smart Soundbar 300 599 6.50 78 83 90 93 61 50 0 –/– 9 0 5.1 5 6 x 69.5 x 10.5 3.2 na 1
9 JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam 349 3.90 78 80 78 90 79 60 20 –/– 9 9 9 1 5 5 6 x 71 x 10.5 2.8 na 1
9 JBL Cinema SB110 199 0.70 77 83 78 82 67 40 100 – / – 0 2 3 9 x 95 x 5.5 2.7 na 1
9 LG SN5Y 399 3.10 77 90 85 80 70 50 40 9/ – 9 1 2.1 4 6 x 89.5 x 9 2.4 5.8 1
9 Samsung HW-Q930B 1499 21.30 77 90 83 90 66 50 0 9/ 9 9 9 9 1 9.1.4 8 6.5 x 111 x 12.5 5.4 9.8 1
(front speaker configuration)
9 Hisense HS218 199 1.80 76 83 78 83 66 60 60 9/ – 0 9 2.1 4 6 x 96 x 8.5 2 5.5 1
9 Bose Smart Soundbar 700 1050 3.20 75 83 84 80 61 70 40 –/– 9 9 0 ns 4 6 X 97.5 X 11 4.8 na 1
9 Denon DHT-S217 275 3.20 75 73 82 83 66 60 40 –/– 9 1 9 2.1 6 6 x 89 x 12 3.4 na 1
9 Hisense U5120G 599 2.20 75 73 72 87 78 50 40 9/ – 9 9 2 5.1.2 11 7.5 x 120.5 x 11.5 5 7 1
9 LG SN4 349 3.00 75 87 78 80 70 50 40 9/ – 9 1 2.1 2 6 x 90.5 x 9 2.1 5.3 1
Denon DHT-S316 495 1.40 74 85 83 73 65 30 80 9/ – 0 9 ns ns 5.5 x 90 x 8.5 1.8 5.2 1
JBL Bar 9.1 (rear speaker 999 10.00 74 77 77 87 70 60 0 9/ 9 9 9 9 9 1 5.1.4 9 6.5 x 92.5 x 12 3.6 11.1 1
configuration)
Panasonic SC-HTB700 599 1.20 74 85 75 76 68 50 80 9/ – 9 9 2 3.1 3 8 x 105.5 x 12 4.6 5.3 1
Samsung HW-B650 599 5.10 74 87 80 80 69 50 0 9/ – 1 5.1 7 6 x 103.5 x 11 3.1 5.2 1
Sony HT-A5000 1399 3.80 74 77 80 77 77 60 20 –/– 9 9 9 9 1 5.1.2 9 7 x 121.5 x 14.5 6 na 1
Yamaha YAS-209 499 5.80 74 90 83 83 62 50 0 9/ – 9 9 1 2.1 6 6.5 x 92.5 x 11.5 2.7 8.6 1
Klipsch Cinema 400 699 4.60 73 80 75 87 68 60 0 9/ – 0 9 2.1 4 8 x 102 x 9 2.9 7.2 1
Monster MT-SB512DA 999 2.30 73 83 77 73 69 70 40 9/ 9 9 1 9 5.1.2 ns 8.5 x 96.5 x 11.5 3.4 4.2 2
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 1399 3.00 72 83 77 87 50 50 40 –/– 9 9 9 0 ns 9 6 x 104.5 x 11 5.8 na 1
Sony HT-G700 595 2.80 72 73 66 88 70 50 40 9/ – 9 9 1 7.1.2 3 6.5 x 98.5 x 12 3.3 7.3 1
Bose Smart Soundbar 600 799 3.30 71 77 77 80 57 60 40 –/– 9 9 9 0 ns 5 6 x 70 x 11 3 na 1
Denon Home Sound Bar 799 7.20 71 90 80 80 61 40 0 –/– 9 9 9 1 9 4 6 7.5 x 65 x 12 3.3 na 1
550
LG S75Q 499 2.60 71 60 78 80 70 40 40 9/ – 9 9 1 3.1.2 5 6.5 x 89 x 12 3.8 5.8 1
Samsung Q600B 699 5.10 71 90 80 83 52 50 0 9/ – 9 9 1 3.1.2 9 6 x 103 x 10.5 3.8 5.5 1
Sony HT-S400 449 3.30 71 77 72 80 67 60 20 9/ – 0 2.1 2 6.5 x 90 x 9 2.4 7.3 1
Yamaha SR-C30A 399 2.40 71 77 72 77 69 50 40 9/ – 0 9 ns 2 6.5 x 60 x 9.5 1.3 5.5 2
Denon DHT-S517 745 3.50 70 70 83 77 56 50 20 9/ – 9 1 9 3.1.2 7 6 x 105 x 9.5 2.5 4.3 1
Samsung Q800B 1099 16.10 70 87 75 83 58 50 0 9/ – 9 9 9 1 5.1.2 11 6 x 111.5 x 12 5.1 9.8 1
Yamaha SR-C20A 279 1.10 70 70 68 73 70 50 80 –/– 0 9 ns 3 6.5 x 60 x 9.5 1.9 na 2
TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend soundbars with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75% and above. Price Suggested by manufacturers as of February 2023. Annual
standby energy cost Based on 30c/kWh with the soundbar in standby mode for 19 hours per day. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of stereo sound quality (40%), multi-
channel sound quality (30%), ease of use (20%), remote control (5%) and standby energy (5%). na Not applicable ns Not stated. All models in the table support Bluetooth for audio
playback using a smart device. All have ARC support using an HDMI connection, and all have optical audio as an alternative if you can’t use HDMI ARC. The Yamaha and Dali
models have two Toslink connections, and the other models in the table have one. However, not all models we’ve tested over the years include Toslink so check before you buy.
All come with a wall mount except the LG SN4 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The Bose and Panasonic models were made in Malaysia; the Samsung, Yamaha and Denon
Home Sound Bar 550 models were made in Vietnam; and the rest were made in China.
VPN BUYING GUIDE
Private practice
If you want to take your online privacy to the next level,
it might be worth using a VPN, says Steve Duncombe
ne of the best ways a secure ‘digital tunnel’ between
O to protect your online

privacy is to use a VPN
(virtual private network).
A VPN gives your devices a private,
secure internet connection and
you and your online destinations.
It also routes your information
through various servers so that
it can’t be traced back to you.
As far as websites can tell,
} A VPN service will help
keep your online location
and activity private.
allows you to get around blocked you’re at the location of one of } We recommend paid
overseas websites. They’re also many worldwide servers that your
services over free ones –
good to use when you’re on a public encrypted data passes through.
Wi-Fi network. This allows you to get around some free VPN services
In a nutshell, a VPN helps keep geographical restrictions or extra may be less secure, or
your secrets – especially financial costs that can come from shopping you may be subjected
information – safe. A VPN encrypts overseas online. To the website to ads, slow speeds and
IMAGE: GETTY
any information sent and received you’re visiting, it’ll look like you’re other limitations.
by your computer so that it can’t based at the location of the nearest
be intercepted and decoded, like server used by your VPN service.

68
Four reasons to use a VPN and you could be putting yourself BEWARE FREE MOBILE VPN APPS
1. To protect yourself from online at more risk than if you weren’t using An investigation into 150 free mobile
identity theft while using a public a VPN at all. Any free service has to VPN apps by Top10VPN.com in late
Wi-Fi internet connection. make money somehow to keep 2018 (updated in 2021) found that
2. To maintain your privacy it going. 25% of them failed to protect users
by preventing others having A free service may be due to domain name system and
access to your online doing it ‘on the cheap’ and other leaks, and 85% were found
activities, location may not be able to afford to have excessive permissions or
or identity. to have their security as up functions, creating the potential for
3. To access content only to date as paid services. But users’ data to be manipulated or sold
available in other countries even if they’re on the up and to third parties.
due to geoblocking, such up privacy-wise, you could Simon Migliano, head of research
as watching Hulu or BBC pay in other ways through at Top10VPN.com, said, “Every time
TV from outside the US or ad-riddled browsing, slow you connect to a VPN, you’re trusting
UK. We believe consumers speeds and limits on data the service provider to be responsible
should have the right to and time spent online. And with your browsing data. This is why
buy overseas products if the service is free then it’s so critical that VPN companies
and content without maybe you’re actually the publish enough information about
geographical restrictions. product. They have to pay themselves and their policies to
4. To get around bandwidth for their servers somehow, allow consumers to make informed
throttling, which is when which could mean tracking choices.” He added that “while these
your internet service provider information about your online findings show most free VPNs should
(ISP) detects and de-prioritises activity to sell to third parties. be avoided, there are a handful of
certain types of internet So if you’re tempted to services that are perfectly legitimate”.
traffic, such as torrent try a free VPN service, The bottom line is that if your
downloads or streaming read the terms and privacy is important enough to you
video, and slows down your conditions very carefully. to use a VPN, then it’s important
connection. Turning on your But this is important even enough to pay for. Only use reputable
VPN prevents the ISP from if you’re using a paid service. services, and remember that the real
detecting the type of information There are no ‘standard’ terms and price of a so-called free app may be
being transferred, so you should conditions, and they’ll vary from paid in ways you wouldn’t agree to
regain normal speed. company to company. if you knew.
How much do VPNs cost?

If you want reliable download speeds,
support, easy set-up and the most
features, the cost of a paid VPN is
well worth it. Most VPN services will
generally cost anything from $5 to
$15 per month for an individual (not
business) user, but choosing one
based on the cheapest price isn’t
the best way to go.
While price can play a part in your
final decision, where multiple services
offer similar benefits, you need to look
at how each provider meets your
particular needs.
WHAT ABOUT ‘FREE’ VPNS?
Should you go with a free VPN
service? For most people, the answer
is probably no. Choose the wrong one

VPN BUYING GUIDE
What a VPN
won’t do A VPN is no
With all this talk
about how a VPN
replacement for
will secure your properly installed
identity and protect and configured
you while online, it’s antivirus software
worth noting what a
VPN won’t do.
IT WON’T SECURE
YOUR HOME NETWORK
CONNECTION
You still need to make sure your
home router or mesh network is
securely connected to the internet.
Make sure encryption is turned on
(the WPA2 setting is the best many What to look for in a VPN provider
are capable of, but the newest and O Wide support via numerous O Online and/or phone support
best setting is WPA3), and use a servers in different countries. for customer and technical
strong password to stop others O Unlimited data transfers, with issues, preferably 24/7 because
getting access to your network, no excess data usage charges. problems can occur around
using up your data allowance by O Unlimited reconnections, the clock, and support services
piggybacking on your connection allowing you to connect as could even be in a different
and possibly even getting access many times as you like. time zone.
to your private information. O Virtual location choice, allowing O Stealth tools to prevent the
IT WON’T PROTECT YOUR you to choose a specific virtual VPN being blocked (see
COMPUTERS FROM MALWARE location, like the USA or the UK. 'The VPN backlash', p70).
A VPN is no replacement for properly O Deep packet inspection O Ease of cancellation has
installed and configured antivirus protection, preventing the become particularly important
software on your computer. That identification of VPN data in today’s highly competitive
should always be turned on and in transit by third parties (e.g. market where huge discounts
kept up to date. Though some VPN government, hackers, ISPs) using are routinely offered for new
services include antivirus checking deep packet inspection methods. users. Joining a VPN service is
in their list of features, this should O Multiple OS support, with usually easy, but some services
be seen as an extra level of protection programs and apps for operating make it a lot easier to sign-on
and should never be relied on for systems across computers than to opt-out. To discontinue
general protection. and mobile devices, including some services you might have
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, to cancel via PayPal separately,
Public hotspot danger Android, and Windows mobile. email the VPN service directly,
The explosive growth of public Wi-Fi O Privacy policy – does the or even lodge a support request.
hotspots is a boon for on-the-go provider log and store any Ideally, a VPN service will give
consumers. It’s also a boon for personally identifiable you the option of making a
criminals who prey on information about you? Providers one-off, fixed-time purchase
unsuspecting customers may keep track of the number without activating a subscription.
using laptops and of connections to their servers Not many do this, but some let
mobile devices and when they occur, for load- you simply turn off (end) your
with unprotected balancing and maintenance subscription in your user
connections. purposes, but shouldn’t save management area on their
Free Wi-Fi is logs of who you are and what website. Look for a subscription
IMAGE: GETTY
commonplace at you connected to. Check the for a specified time (e.g. 1, 3, 6, or
cafes, restaurants, public provider’s privacy policy carefully. 12 months) rather than ongoing.
libraries, airports, schools,

hotels and local businesses, and VPNs are often mentioned in the even web browsing, but you should
government and major telcos are context of getting around geoblocking, have the right to opt out of this
getting on board as well. so that you can watch legitimate tracking when needed.
This sounds great, but hackers commercial online content which There are numerous other reasons
can ‘camp’ at a popular Wi-Fi hotspot is otherwise restricted from viewing for wanting to hide your IP address,
(or nearby within signal range) in your geographical area. Getting including:
and ‘sniff’ your network around geoblocking is not O encrypting your information
traffic to see what the same as online piracy, transferred over public wireless
you’re doing. They VPNs are in which copyrighted systems
can intercept any content is downloaded O shopping overseas online to get
now mainstream
transmissions without payment. Like around location-based artificial
(i.e. email, web tools for everyone torrents, VPNs are price inflation
browsing) that aren’t to use to protect legitimate internet O preventing anyone from tracking
encrypted, possibly themselves online tools, but they can your web browsing
gaining access to be used for legal O leaving no digital footprint of your
your passwords and or illegal purposes. identity, whereabouts and online

other private information. There are other ways to browsing and activity
For example, you should get around geoblocking, such O getting around bans or blacklisting
never use banking websites or as using a proxy service. However, of your IP address
apps at a public Wi-Fi hotspot this simply bypasses region checking O getting around censorship filters
without a VPN. How likely is it that and doesn’t protect you by encrypting and government snooping that in
your information will be intercepted your data stream. Using a VPN hides some countries can put you at risk
at a hotspot if you don’t use a VPN? your IP address for all your internet of losing your job, your freedom or
Who knows? But is it worth taking the activities including browsing, email, possibly even your life. A VPN can
risk? Definitely not. instant messaging and VoIP (voice help you communicate with the rest
over IP) and encrypts all data. of the world in a way that can’t be
Isn’t a VPN a piracy tool? traced back to you.
The short answer is no. The ongoing Why hide your IP address?
controversy around the streaming A lot of online services know where The VPN backlash
of overseas videos has put the you’re connecting from as soon as The rise in popularity of VPNs
spotlight on VPNs. Once the domain you go online and they keep tabs prompted a backlash of sorts,
of business users and hackers, VPNs on you from then on. This might with some websites blocking
are now mainstream tools for everyone add some convenience to your online them so that you can’t access
to use to protect themselves online. shopping, social network posts or the site if you’re using a VPN.

VPN BUYING GUIDE
This sort of traffic blocking forces What happens to However, they will admit that they
people to abandon the safety of your metadata? need to record certain non-personal
the VPN or not use the website. The information that VPN services connection information for a time
There’s also the case that you might track is always a hot topic, especially so that they can provide a good
not be blocked outright – perhaps since data retention laws came into service. This can help them track
your internet connection is running effect in Australia. Under those peak demand times, for example,
slowly because it’s being ‘throttled’ laws, telecommunication and so that they can balance the load
by your ISP. This throttling of your internet providers must hold on their servers to work more
speed can be imposed by an ISP onto communications metadata effectively. Again, you
simply because you’re using a VPN. for all customers for should check the
Fortunately, there’s a way around it. two years. fine print of your
Many VPN services now include Metadata includes VPNs can VPN provider
the option of using so-called stealth information about help protect and query them
technology in their product (though when, where, how, your right to specifically about
it may not be actually labelled as what, from where legally access any concerns.
such). Stealth tools can disguise and to whom it was Laws that affect
your VPN traffic as regular web sent. It doesn’t relate goods and the handing over
traffic, even when subjected to to the content of the services online of user information
deep packet inspection. communication, so to the authorities vary
Most commonly, stealth tools the body of an email, the from country to country.
disguise VPN data packets as regular details of a text message, all A legal requirement for
HTTPS traffic. Because HTTPS the content on webpages and a provider in one country may
connections are often used for secure phone conversations are not not necessarily be the same in
transmissions including passwords, considered metadata. However, another country. But no matter
credit card numbers and more, they metadata gives away certain where you are, just using a VPN
don’t get blocked. Stealth mode can information that can give insight is unlikely to provide you with
impose extra overhead on traffic, so into communications, which is why much protection if you’re suspected
use it only if required. law enforcement agencies want it of criminal activity. VPNs can help
If you can’t access certain websites stored. Critics say the system can protect your right to legally access
when you’re using a VPN or if you be open to abuse. goods and services online, but
IMAGE: GETTY
suspect your traffic is being throttled, VPN providers know users want CHOICE does not endorse or
turn on stealth mode (if you have it) privacy and most will state that condone the use of VPNs for
and see what difference it makes. they don’t log personal information. any illegal activity.

72
INDEX
USING THE INDEX All articles are from the past 12 months.
* Indicates a correction or clarification (see Checkout).
HOME & LIVING Vacuum cleaners Jun*, Sep Money-saving tips Jun
Air conditioners Jul, Nov Dyson Gen5detect stick vac Superannuation
portable Feb Dec/Jan death benefit nominations Tap timers Aug
Air fryers May, Nov stick vacs Jun, Feb Jul, Oct
Air purifiers Apr robot vacs Jun how much you need to retire FOOD & DRINK
Bathroom cleaners Dec/Jan Washing machines Nov, Feb, Apr* Sep Butter Feb
Bathroom, reducing plastic Aug scams Apr Coffee pods Nov
Carpet shampooers Mar ELECTRONICS & Cooking on a budget Oct
Ceiling fans Nov TECHNOLOGY CONSUMERS & DATA Mayonnaise May
Cleaning products Dec/Jan Apple iPad 10th gen Apr Airbnb data algorithm May Meal delivery kits Nov
Clothes dryers Sep Batteries Jun Anonymity online Apr Nootropic drinks Oct
Cooktops Tenavolts AA Rechargeable Sep Cashback sites Sep Peanut butter Oct
ceramic Oct Best digital products Sep Dark patterns, Supermarket house brand
induction May, Apr Best NBN providers Sep deceptive web practices Nov taste test round-up Oct
Money-saving tips Jun Bluetooth trackers Feb Insurtech, data-driven
Dishwasher detergent Oct Digital acces for the elderly Mar car insurance May HEALTH & BODY
Dishwashers Jun, Dec/Jan e-Readers Aug, Mar Personal data First-aid kits Sep
Dishwashing liquids Jul, Apr Headphones May, Dec/Jan breaches Apr Sleep tips Jul
Doonas Jul Home office Dec/Jan on the dark web Apr
Dryers Sep Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 Oct Rental apps May SHOPPING
Eco-friendly laundry Aug MacBook Pro 14-inch Aug Carbon neutral businesses Aug
Electric heaters Jun Mesh routers May BABIES & KIDS Electronics stores,
Espresso machines Aug, Apr Onyx Boox Nova Air C e-Reader Button batteries Mar best and worst Sep
Food processors Aug Jul Thermometers Jul Ethical shopping on a budget
Fridges Aug, Mar Power banks May, Mar Aug
Frypans Oct Printers Jun TRAVEL Extended warranties Dec/Jan
Hibachi grill Oct Relish DAB+ digital radio Jun Car rental Feb Grocery delivery services
Home heating tips Jul Security cameras Jun Flight cancellation rights Feb Dec/Jan
Humidifiers Jul Security software May Lost or damaged passport Apr Packaging materials review
Kitchens, keeping cool Dec/Jan Smartphones Dec/Jan Luggage Feb for recyclability Apr
Laundry detergents Sep Soundbars Dec/Jan, Apr Qantas travel credits Jun Plastic packaging recycling Aug
Mattress toppers Jul Speakers, wireless Dec/Jan Travel insurance Feb Product reliability survey Sep
Mattresses Jul, Feb TCL Nxtpaper 10s Mar traps Feb Shonky Awards 2022 Nov
care tips Jul Tech tips to make life easier May Travel money cards Feb Shop Ethical ratings Feb
Microwaves Aug, Mar TVs Oct Shrinking pack sizes Jul
convection Mar VPN guide Apr OUTDOOR Supermarket tricks Feb
hacks Oct Lawnmowers Feb Unit pricing Jun
Mould and damp Dec/Jan INSURANCE & MONEY Outdoor kitchens Dec/Jan Utilities
Ovens Oct Bankruptcy advice Mar Pet scams Aug paying bills Mar
Paper towels Oct Buy now, pay later car loans Jun Pizza ovens May switching providers Mar
Pill boxes Feb Credit cards & retirees Nov
Pillows Jul Cryptocurrency HOME IMPROVEMENT TRANSPORT
care tips Jul regulation Jul Reducing energy use Aug Dashboard cameras Mar
Rangehoods Jul scams May Smart doorbells Apr Electric cars Mar
Refrigerators – see fridges Financial health check Smart locks Apr Fuel apps Aug
Rice cookers Oct for the New Year Dec/Jan Smart meters Mar Fuel costs, how to save Jun
Splurge vs save appliances Jun Health insurance discounts Sep Solar battery trial Nov Lemon car sales
Steam mops Dec/Jan Home insurance Nov Solar panels & installation in remote communities Nov
Toasters Aug extreme weather events Oct Jun, Mar Roadside assistance Jun


ISSUES BY THEME
May 22 The technology issue
June 22 The cost of living issue
July 22 The sleep issue
August 22
The conscious consumer issue
September 22
The product reliability issue
October 22 The food issue
November 22 The Shonkys issue
December 22/January 23
The summer issue
February 23 The travel issue
March 23 The energy issue
April 23 The privacy issue
CONTACT US
Shop Ethical ratings Shop Ethical CHOICE, 57 Carrington Road, Marrickville, NSW, 2204
rates the environmental and social Email ausconsumer@choice.com.au
impact of companies (not products) Customer Service 1800 069 552
using independent sources. Where (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST or AEDT)
available, we publish Shop Ethical ratings
in CHOICE magazine for the brands WEBSITE ACCESS
whose products we test. This rating To browse all our test reports and reviews, when and as
is not included in our own scoring. If a
often as you like, contact Customer Service to add website
brand doesn’t appear in our Shop Ethical
access to your membership package.
tables, it means there’s no rating for that
company. Shop Ethical regularly reviews
CHOICE HELP
its ratings, but those that appear in
CHOICE are correct at the time we went Do you have a problem with a product or a service? Find
to press. For more, visit ethical.org.au. out what your rights are at choice.com.au/choicehelp.
If you need more advice, email our Customer Service team.
RATING KEY
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B Some praise, no criticism CHOICE members get free access to our CHOICE Shopper
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View the CHOICE Privacy Policy:

choice.com.au/privacy-policy.

74
CHOICE TEAM
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NEXT
MONTH
REUSE
& REPAIR
Out with the new,
in with the old
Second chance New uses for old tech Meal extenders

How, when and where to buy Don’t ditch your old iPod, Kitchen appliances to breathe
used whitegoods & electronics phone or tablet just yet new life into leftovers
Plus Simple phones, freezers, robot vacs, headphones & more

APRIL 2023
SAME SAME,
BUT DIFFERENT
So you CAN improve on
HARD WORD
Our long-serving rogues’ gallery of dodgy ads, toe-curling typos
the original? and misadventures in marketing, as sent in by you – our tickled,
angered and bewildered readers. And thanks to the timeless
Silverwater, NSW 2128, in 2023 for the publisher, CHOICE, 57 Carrington Road, Marrickville 2204.
ISSN 0009 496X. Print post approved 100000729. Wholly printed in Australia by IVE Group, 83 Derby Street,
shonkiness of so much advertising, you’re always spoilt for
choice – so keep ’em coming. Email high-quality unedited
photos to hardword@choice.com.au. This month, thanks go to
Mal Cockburn (Sprung! Another leek), Mark Harvey (Roped in),
Mikey Hillyer (Udderly obvious) and Rod Ziems (Same same,
but different).
Compiled by Daniel Wynne
ROPED IN
This rope is not as multipurpose
as initially thought.
UDDERLY SPRUNG!
OBVIOUS ANOTHER LEEK
Mikey Hillyer, 9, was moo-ved to Is this a case of “one, two, many”?
send us this allergy advice.

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CHOICE Australia - April 2023

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APRIL 2023

Handle with care

P concept, so why does it

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4 Checkout 72 Index 64 Soundbars

26 Incognito mode 48 Induction cooktops

29 Superannuation scams 52 Air purifiers

32 Lost in transit 56 Smart doorbells

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The latest consumer ACCC inquiry into interest rates

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$3 million penalty for misleading

Lender fined for COVID

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Widespread support for

Unfair, but not illegal

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Product safety pledge

on their pricing promises.”

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Big tech served by

US Supreme Court case could

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and emotional harm can be pronounced,

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Apple iPad 10th-generation

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Time for banks to step up and block scams,

YourSuper comparison tool helping people retire with more

I n 2021, the government introduced the YourSuper

Low-fee debit cards to use overseas

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RANTS AND RAVES

D oes everything feel a lot less

ASK THE EXPERTS ASK US

In a previous issue you recommended the LG OLED42C2PSA

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The company that’s organising the installation of our new

a test run on the one pyrolytic oven

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In mid 2018, I had a top-of-

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CHOICE SOCIAL MEDIA Join the conversation

Community Alison V: From our experience, hard

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} If you’ve been caught

Data defence but act quickly.

A in September last year that

changed right away and you should

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Don’t give personal information

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to see if scammers have used your Some password medical records or

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even more egregious examples unless

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