I did some research into whole not being able to offline backup, just some notes that may be useful and strongly shows our side of the argument. it is one thing to force us to now pay for small tiny data files that we have had for years...and yes the whole SE thing...that is not going to last forever. But it is another to interfere with our rights, when it comes to our own financial data. We own it, MYOB doesn't, the software package is just a recording vessel. In my case I have had to upload offline files x 4, that is an extra financial burden. I also have two operating online files, one of which needs to go dormant for a while, this holds 13 years of history, and now i cannot make one final historical dormant back up unless I pay for it....doesnt that equate to holding our financial information in its entirety to ransom? Especially after already paying 13 years of subscriptions????
Under Australian Consumer Law and the Privacy Act:
- The business owns its financial records.
- The software provider does not own the data.
- The provider cannot restrict access to your own historical records in a way that causes financial harm as in charging for a complete historical back up of an online file.
If MYOB’s system design prevents us from accessing the full entirety of our own historical data unless we pay them again, that can fall under:
Misleading or deceptive conduct ACL s18
Unconscionable conduct ACL s21
If they knowingly create a situation where:
- you cannot access your own records
- you are forced into a paid tier
- you suffer detriment e.g., inability to provide records to owners, auditors, ATO
Interference with data access
Not illegal by itself, but becomes illegal if:
- it contradicts advertised features
- it causes financial loss
- it restricts access to legally required records
The real issue: data sovereignty
MYOB is effectively saying:
You can only have a full offline back up your own business data if you pay us.
That raises legitimate concerns about:
- Instant unrequested full access to your own financial information,
- data ownership,
- reliance on MYOB’s cloud,
- risk if MYOB has outages, which happens quite often
- long‑term access to historical records, especially for tax compliance.
These concerns are valid, and we want you to listen MYOB.
That's a very interesting research! Thank you for going deep into this!
Furthermore, has anyone contacted ACCC about what is going on with MYOB yet?
MYOB, are you paying attention? Will you respond to all of our concerns?
No Disrespect Eliane, but if your asking about going to the ACCC, have you reached out to them. Not everyone has the time to do this themselves, especially at this time of the year when we are busy getting last Financial years figures completed to hand over to company accountants.
Again no disrespect intended.
No problem, I don't feel disrespected and my question was genuine and like you and everyone else in here, I'm also busy ending the Financial Year for the company I work for. The timing for all MYOB changes that affect us could be strategic and frustrating, as none of us have the time to deal with it at this minute.
