Page 113 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - AUGUST 2024

9/3/24, 1:12 PM TDRA, MoEc Tighten Telemarketing Regulations to Protect Consumers - Telecom Review
that companies follow the appropriate guidelines and timings for promoting their products or
services, and to minimize the number of unwanted marketing calls.”
Telemarketing Regulations

The Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2024, which pertains to the regulation of marketing
through telephone calls, has clearly outlined the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.

The Ministry of Economy will oversee the implementation of this decision and report to the
Cabinet. The TDRA manages the ‘Do Not Call Register’ (DNCR), while the Central Bank
handles telemarketing for banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies, and the
Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) focuses on marketing calls related to securities
and commodities trading.
During the briefing, the Ministry of Economy reviewed the commitments set out in Resolution
No. 56 of 2024 for licensed companies in the country when making marketing telephone
calls.

Companies engaging in telemarketing must first obtain approval from the relevant authority,
train marketers on ethical conduct including DNCR usage, and use local telephone numbers
registered under licensed telecommunications companies.

They must establish communication channels for interested consumers, avoid contacting
those on DNCR, and maintain detailed records of all marketing calls as per regulatory
requirements.
Additionally, they must adhere strictly to specified calling hours, disclose their identity and
purpose at the call's outset, and provide data sources if requested by authorities, while
refraining from using unregistered numbers.

Her Excellency Safia Al Safi explained that the provisions will apply to all licensed
companies in the country including those in free zones, which market products and services
through marketing phone calls or one of their employees.

The provisions will also apply to individuals, where natural persons are prohibited from
telemarketing of products or services provided in their name or on behalf of their clients via a
fixed or mobile telephone number licensed by UAE-based telcos.
‘Do Not Call Register’ Initiative

“Cabinet Resolutions have been issued to establish clear boundaries and regulations for
companies engaged in telemarketing,” said H.E. Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi, TDRA’s Deputy
Director General (DDG) of the Telecommunications Sector. “At TDRA, we have launched the
‘Do Not Call Register’ initiative, introduced as ‘DNCR’, which empowers recipients with the
right to opt out of receiving marketing calls from specific sectors or all sectors.”
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2024, the TDRA can impose penalties and fines on
individuals who make marketing calls using their own or their client’s licensed phone
numbers. The penalties are as follows:
For a first offense, there is a fine of AED 5,000, and all phone numbers registered
under the individual's name will be suspended until the fine is paid.
If the violation is repeated within 30 days, the fine increases to AED 20,000, and all
registered numbers will be cut off for three months.
A third offense within the next 30 days results in a fine of AED 50,000, and the
individual will be denied telecom services for 12 months.

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