UAE suspends over 2000 telemarketers’ mobile numbers and imposes fines for violations

UAE Enforces Strict Telemarketing Regulations: Over 2,000 Penalized

Dubai: The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has taken swift action against more than 2,000 individuals and businesses for violating the recently implemented telemarketing regulations.

According to Cabinet Resolutions Nos. 56 and 57 of 2024, the TDRA levied financial fines and suspended phone numbers on those detected utilizing personal numbers for marketing.

The new regulations, which came into force in mid-August 2024, aim to curb unsolicited marketing calls and protect consumer privacy.

The regulation requires businesses to market their products and services through designated phone lines and schedules.

According to the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, individuals are expressly barred from utilizing personal landline or mobile numbers for marketing reasons. The guideline states that it must not be in the company’s or consumers’ best interests.

The authorities warned that violators might face heavy penalties, including fines of up to Dh150,000 and license suspension or revocation. Repeat offenders may be denied telecommunications services in the UAE for one year.

The relevant statute specifies 18 specific violations related to telemarketing practices. Violators can be fined between Dh10,000 and Dh150,000 depending on the severity of the offence.

Individuals who engage in illegal telemarketing can face fines and disconnection of their phone lines. Officials also clarified that the use of personal numbers for telemarketing is strictly prohibited.

Officials also clarified that under no circumstances should companies engage in telemarketing with individuals on a do-not-call register. Under the new law, telemarketing calls are only allowed between 9 am and 6 pm.

If you refuse a product or service, the company should not call the customer again for this purpose. The telemarketing team cannot call you back if you decline the call or end the phone call.

Companies can only call you a maximum of two times a week if you don’t answer the call.