Optus has scrapped plans to appoint an independent consumer advocate announced after the telecoms giant was sued for selling unneeded products to vulnerable customers, ultimately paying a $100 million fine.

Singtel-owned Optus agreed to the penalty after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleged the company acted unconscionably when it sold phones and contracts to more than 400 people, pressuring them to buy services they did not want or could not afford. In some cases, they were pursued for debts run up after agreeing to the plans.