The UAE Government announced that the new telemarketing laws would take effect on August 27. The laws has restricted telemarketers to calling customers only between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm, refraining from calling residents again the same day if they reject the service or product during the first call and outlawing the use of any coercion or deception to get customers to purchase goods or services. Financial fines for breaking the legislation can range from Dh5,000 to Dh150,000 for telemarketers and cold callers.
If the infraction is committed again, the financial penalties will increase. There are three categories in which all administrative fines have been listed: first, second, and third time. According to Cabinet Resolution No, if the offence is committed again, the penalties will get worse. (57) of 2024.
Enterprises that neglect to acquire prior authorisation before engaging in telemarketing operations will be subject to fines of Dh75,000, Dh100,000, and Dh150,000 on subsequent occasions. Businesses that do not give marketers thorough training on the code of conduct risk fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh50,000.
The company's business licensing prohibits calling numbers that are not registered, and those who do so risk fines ranging from Dh25,000 to Dh75,000. According to the form created by the government, the firms will have to maintain a record for every marketing phone calls made; repeated infractions might result in a penalty of up to Dh50,000.
Dh150,000 in penalties will be imposed on those who use the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR) to get subscriber details for marketing reasons.
If the business or individual records the call, they must inform the customer right away. Failing to comply with these regulations may result in a fine ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh30,000.
In addition, there are fines of Dh10,000 to Dh50,000 for those who do not record marketing phone calls with customers.
The businesses must submit quarterly reports to the appropriate authorities detailing any marketing phone calls they conducted within a month of the report's date. The business may be subject to an administrative fine of up to Dh30,000 if this regulation is broken.
An administrative fine of up to Dh30,000 may be imposed for repeated infractions if the caller fails to identify the firm and the reason for the call at the outset.
The authorities might impose a financial penalty of up to Dh75,000 if they fail to reveal the source from which the consumer's phone numbers and data were obtained when asked.
Furthermore, repeated infractions of pressuring the customer may result in a punishment of up to Dh50,000.
Fraud and cheating while calling a customer to sell a product or service can result in a fine ranging from Dh25,000 to Dh75,000.
Cold callers must only make phone calls between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Violators risk a punishment of Dh10,000, while repeat offenders risk a penalty of Dh50,000.
If the customer declines the goods or service on the initial call, there will be fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh50,000 for subsequent calls.
Dh10,000 to Dh30,000 in penalties will be imposed on callers who do not enquire about the customer's willingness to end the call before beginning their marketing services.
Furthermore, cold callers will face penalties from the authority if they return calls more than once a day or more than twice a week when the consumer does not answer. Repeat offenders of cold calling might face fines of up to Dh50,000.
Businesses who trade customer personal information for the aim of reprocessing it so that it may be used in marketing phone calls or disclose it without authorisation risk a punishment of up to Dh150,000 for a third infraction.
Callers who violate the terms of this resolution by using the company's telemarketing services might be fined up to Dh50,000.
Lastly, a Dh5,000 punishment will be applied if a natural person uses a phone number that is licensed under their name to conduct a marketing call for goods and services. For a first offence, all landline and cell phone lines registered in his or her name will likewise be disconnected until payment is received.
A second infraction will also result in a Dh20,000 fine and the removal of any numbers associated with the offender for three months.
If the same offence is committed a third time within 30 days, the penalty doubles to Dh50,000 and the offender is barred from using any telecommunications services from UAE firms for a year.
