Ministry of Economy and TDRA Announce New Telemarketing Regulations Effective Mid-August 2024

UAE, 10 June, 2024 : The Ministry of Economy and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) have issued new resolutions to regulate telemarketing practices, effective mid-August 2024. These resolutions cover phone calls, text messages, and social media marketing by licensed companies in the UAE, including those in free zones.

The Ministry of Economy will oversee the implementation, coordinating with the TDRA, the Central Bank of the UAE, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and local licensing authorities. Companies must obtain prior approval from the competent authority to legally practice telemarketing. Individuals are prohibited from initiating marketing calls using their registered phone numbers.

Key provisions include:

• Companies must avoid disturbing consumers, maintain transparency, and adhere to specified call times (9:00 to 18:00).
• Marketing calls should be limited to once a day and twice a week per consumer.
• Automated dialing systems are permitted, but companies must ask consumers if they wish to continue the call before marketing.
• Comprehensive training for marketers on professional ethics is required.
• Calls must originate from local numbers registered to the company's commercial license.

Consumers can file complaints about unwanted marketing calls. Companies must not disclose or sell consumers' personal data without consent and must respect the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR).

Penalties for violations range from warnings to fines (up to AED150,000), suspension of activity, license cancellation, and disconnection of phone services. Individuals violating regulations face fines up to AED50,000 and bans on obtaining telecom services.

The new resolutions aim to protect consumer privacy, reduce unwanted marketing calls, and ensure ethical business practices in telemarketing.

Source : www.wam.ae