Measures on the regulation of marketing through telephone calls were introduced by the Dubai Consumer Protection Department, one of the agencies of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The purpose of these actions is to protect consumer rights and promote positive commercial practices. It was found that 159 companies in Dubai were fined 50,000 dirhams each for violating these resolutions since August 2024. These penalties were introduced in accordance with the provisions of Government Decree No. 56 and No. 57 of 2024 on the regulation of marketing through telephone calls and on violations and administrative penalties for actions that violate the provisions prescribed by Government Decree No. 56 of 2024.
Representatives of the municipality stated that these regulations help reduce unnecessary marketing phone calls, which ensures user convenience and does not violate their confidentiality. It also guarantees improved trust in companies by ensuring their compliance with channels and timing for marketing their products with the aim of establishing a positive business environment.
According to the organization's regulations, these decisions are applicable to all licensed companies in the United Arab Emirates, including those that operate in free zones and are considered significant in the telemarketing industry for selling their products and services.
The main principles of the new guiding principles for telemarketing include the inability to call subscribers who do not wish to receive marketing calls from participants of the "Do Not Call Register," which is managed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. It also establishes a timeframe for phone calls from nine in the morning until six in the evening, and at the initial stage of the call, consumers will be warned if the conversation is recorded.
The subordinate authority noted that consumers who receive unnecessary marketing calls can take measures to protect their rights and prevent the recurrence of such practices, visiting the site "https://consumerrights.ae/ar/Pages/default.aspx."
