FLASH NEWSUAE Telemarketing Fines Hit Dh19 Million

Dh19 Million in Fines for Telemarketing Violations in UAE

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has issued Dh19.19 million in fines and disconnected 9,433 mobile numbers for telemarketing violations as of June 2026. This crackdown is part of the TDRA’s efforts to combat unwanted marketing calls and protect the privacy of individuals. The authority has reported that 92,748 numbers have been flagged by the public, resulting in the disconnection of numbers associated with violating telemarketers.

The TDRA‘s campaign targets individuals who use personal mobile numbers for telemarketing or business promotional activities, which is against the regulations. Using a personal number for such purposes may result in regulatory action and applicable penalties. The initial fine for making marketing calls from personal numbers is Dh5,000, along with the suspension of all phone numbers registered under the individual’s name until the penalty is paid. Repeat offenders can face fines escalating up to Dh50,000 and a 12-month ban from receiving services from UAE telecommunication companies.

To empower residents and enhance their calling experience, the TDRA is urging the public to utilize the ‘Do Not Call Registry’ (DNCR). Residents who wish to opt out of authorized telemarketing campaigns can easily register their numbers by sending an SMS with the letters ‘DNCR’ to 2211. Furthermore, if residents receive an unwanted telemarketing call, they are encouraged to report the violator by sending the caller’s number via SMS to 2211.

The regulations, which came into full effect in August 2024, were designed to shield consumers from aggressive cold-calling tactics. Licensed telemarketing firms must follow strict operational guidelines, including restricting call timings to between 9am and 6pm, prohibiting follow-up calls if a consumer rejects a product during the initial contact, and banning the use of pressure tactics. Companies violating these rules face severe administrative penalties, with fines ranging from Dh10,000 up to Dh150,000.