On 6 August 2023, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) announced Australia’s first police referral pilot in New South Wales (NSW). The pilot will aim to revolutionise how banks report technology-facilitated abuse, utilising artificial intelligence and other technologies to alert law enforcement.
In the age of digital banking and ‘apps’, bank users are more susceptible than ever to technological abuse. To combat this threat, CBA utilises a range of interventions to make online banking safer. For example, CBA blocks over 400,000 transactions annually by using artificial intelligence to detect inappropriate language sent via the CommBank app. The newly announced police reporting pilot, which will launch in mid-September of this year, will take safety precautions to the next level, and allow CBA to identify repeat abuse faced by victims. CBA will then reach out to the victim and ask consent to contact NSW police to report the abuse.
As a result, users will be provided with a streamline and fast process of reporting abuse. This pilot will not only support victims, but will also prevent abuse, paving the way ‘for more effective collaboration in the fight against domestic and financial abuse’ said Angela Macmillan of CBA Group Customer Advocate.
If you or someone you know with to discuss the issue further, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on (02) 8917 8700.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.