Technology discrimination
1 August, 2026
Last week, I described the discrimination I experienced when St George Bank removed my ability to access certain financial services because I don’t use a mobile phone.
From the enormous response I received to that blog, it looks like many of our readers are experiencing discrimination like this, too.
In a society where discrimination is an ugly word, locking customers out of essential services because of the technology they happen to use is an ugly action that makes a mockery of their claims to provide equal access and inclusivity. ‘Our Access and Inclusion Plan (2025–2028) builds on our 25-year legacy of working to deliver equal access for all’, says Westpac CEO Anthony Miller1, while St George Bank continues to deny me the same service as mobile phone users.
Our readers have shared their experiences and their frustrations with us, too, and they include:
· not having mobile phone access because there is no service in areas of regional Australia
· not being able to visit the beach anymore because the only way to pay for parking is with a mobile phone
· not being able to access online services because they require mobile phone numbers.
Here are some tips from our readers about what to do if you’re experiencing technology discrimination from an organisation or business.
· Speak up! Letting an organisation know you can’t access information because you don’t use a mobile phone can result in them helping you in other ways.
· Can’t access a security code via a mobile phone? Ask for a key fob (security token) which can be mailed to you – and is more secure than an SMS to your mobile.
· Check out banks that allow security codes to be sent by email, such as NAB, ANZ, Westpac, Heritage and Bendigo Bank.
And you can remind them that their actions in denying you services make a mockery of the claims on their website to care about equality, diversity and inclusivity.
Remember, you are not the problem. It’s not that you can’t access their services because there is something wrong with you (EHS, injury, financial hardship etc). Rather, it’s their problem. They have failed to provide adequately for people without mobile phones.
Do we really want see people coerced to become mobile phone users?
Absolutely not!
Research shows us that mobile and wireless device use is linked with brain tumours, cancer, oxidative stress, harmful effects on sperm, addiction, anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, poorer leaning, memory and concentration problems, headaches, behaviour problems, vision problems, chromosome damage, hormone changes, sleep problems, fatigue, hyperactivity, ‘popcorn’ brain, poorer eating habits, obesity, reduced fitness and more.
Not to mention the financial costs and privacy concerns.
And, as one reader pointed out, the fewer people who use mobile phones, the fewer mobile phone towers will be needed and the less radiation they’ll emit.
Thank you to the many readers who shared their thoughts and experiences on this topic.