New Delhi, June 20 (Agency) The Department of Consumer Affairs has sought public comments on Draft Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of “Unsolicited and Unwarranted” Business Communication, 2024. Draft Guidelines are placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs for public comments/suggestions/feedback. The inputs may be provided to the Department latest by 21st July, 2024, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in an official statement. The Guidelines have been drafted after detailed deliberations with various stakeholders including telecom operators, telecom regulators and telecom organizations. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) studied the impact of unsolicited and unwarranted communications on mobile users in depth in consultation with Telecom Regulations Authority of India (TRAI).
It was pointed out that despite TRAI regulations-Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018) in place, such misleading and deceptive communication have become a sore point for the mobile users. Do Not Disturb (DND) registry has been highly effective for registered telemarketers but the unwarranted communication from unregistered telemarketers and those using 10-digit private numbers remain unabated. In order to address the menace of pesky calls, a committee comprising of representatives from DoT, TRAI, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Vodafone Idea, Reliance and Airtel under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary Department of Consumer Affairs was constituted in February this year.
The Committee after extensive deliberations suggested a draft framework which was examined by the Department. The draft guidelines define “Business Communication” as any communication relating to goods or services including promotional and service communication but excludes personal communication. The guidelines are applicable on all persons and establishments who make or cause to make the business communication (Maker); engages the Maker of such communication; is the intended beneficiary from such communication; and in whose name such communication was made by the Maker. The draft guidelines classify any business communication as Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication if such communication is neither as per the consent nor as per the registered preference(s) of the recipient. The department is committed to safeguarding consumer interests and consumer rights, especially in the increasingly expanding and penetrative consumer space. The proposed guidelines will protect consumers from invasive and unauthorized marketing or promotion of goods and services.