UAE Enacts Stricter Regulations for Telemarketing Calls

In their attempt to enhance consumer protection, the UAE Ministry of Economy, in coordination with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), has launched new rules for telemarketing calls. these Rules apply to all the licensed companies this was accompanied by new drastic penalties for violation of the rules and regulation The rules apply to all licensed companies including the free zones.

In order to consider the key aspects of the new regulations, we can proceed following a three-step approach, which is explained as follows:

Fines and Penalties:

Business establishments found guilty of breaching the new telemarketing rules and regulations could be penalized between AED10, 000 up to AED150, 000. Those who are involved in unlawful telemarketing could be penalized with up to AED 50,000 fines besides receiving a prohibition on further communications.

Approval and Oversight:
Any firm that wants to engage in telemarketing activities must come to an agreement with the authorities. This follows that the Ministry of Economy is going to operate these regulations and get cooperation from related entities according to their jurisdictions.

Operational Restrictions:

• Call- centred telemarketing calls are allowed only during the morning and evening period from 9 without infringing the law.
• It is prohibited by law for the companies to make more than one call a day or two calls a week to the consumer if he/she has not replied.
• The script prohibits the continuation of the call, if the receiver has declined an offer.

Consumer Protection Measures

Professional Conduct and Training:
All marketing calls must be originating from the local phone numbers that are registered under the company’s license, while marketers should undergo constant training on professional etiquette. It also calls for proper documentation and filing of all marketing calls made in a specific period as well as submitting reports to the relevant regulatory authority.

Opt-Out Options and Complaint Handling:Opt-Out Options and Complaint Handling:
There will be provision for a Do not contact Registry for consumers willing to be excluded from marketing calls. They also have some measures that they follow in case a certain company wants to complain about the telemarketing services it has been receiving.

The new regulations thus have the objective of achieving a fair middle ground between commercial concerns and customer privacy to prevent improper and rude telemarketing campaigns.