Khaleej Times, Thu, Jun 13, 2024 | Dhu al-Hijjah 7, 1445
Up to Dh150,000 fines: UAE announces tighter telemarketing rules
Emirates:
The UAE government has tightened regulations on telemarketing via phone calls,
implementing new controls and mechanisms. Violators will face administrative
penalties, including warnings and fines of up to Dh150,000.
Starting from mid-August 2024, gradual administrative penalties will be imposed
on violators, ranging from warnings and fines up to Dh150,000. The violating
company may face more severe measures such as partial or complete suspension of
activity, license cancellation, removal from the commercial registry, cutting
off telecommunications services, and deprivation of telecommunications services
in the country for up to one year.
The new regulations make it imperative for marketing companies to obtain prior
approval from the competent authority before engaging in telemarketing
activities.
Individuals are prohibited from making marketing calls using phones registered
in their names. All marketing calls must originate from phones registered in the
name of the licenced telemarketing company.
Marketing calls are only permitted between 9am and 6pm and it is strictly
prohibited to call numbers registered on the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR).
According to the law, if a consumer refuses a service or product during the
first call, a follow-up call is prohibited. A maximum of one call per day is
allowed if the consumer does not answer or ends the call.
Protecting the consumer's rights, the law allows them to have the right to
file complaints with the competent authority regarding any violations of
these marketing call regulations.
In May, the Cabinet approved a decision to regulate cold calling. The latest
measures by the Ministry of Economy and the TDRA aim to protect consumers
from unwanted telemarketing practices and enhance the overall quality of
marketing activities within the UAE.