Telecoms Dubai fines companies millions for telemarketing violations By Megha Merani February 25, 2025, 6:46 PM Alamy via Reuters Connect Authorities introduced regulations in 2024, restricting telemarketing hours to 9am to 6pm AED8 million issued in fines 159 companies failed to comply Telemarketing hours restricted Dubai has slapped a total of AED8 million ($2 million) in fines on 159 companies for breaching new telemarketing rules, in the emirate’s first crackdown on nuisance calls. Authorities introduced the regulations in August 2024, barring companies from calling numbers on the national “Do Not Call Registry” and restricting telemarketing hours to 9am to 6pm. The Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade initially warned 174 companies before penalising those that failed to comply. The rules apply to all UAE businesses, including free zone firms. Authorities say the enforcement drive supports Dubai’s economic agenda to attract investment while ensuring consumer protection and fair business practices. Social media warning after UAE telemarketing crackdown The bricks-and-clicks battle to win over GCC shoppers Despite the crackdown, industry experts told AGBI last year that telemarketers may increasingly shift to social media and WhatsApp. Cold calls, particularly from real estate, trading and crypto companies, remain a persistent complaint, with many operating through third party platforms that make them harder to trace. A survey by Insight Discovery last year ranked telemarketers, call centre operatives and credit card issuers among the least trusted professions in the UAE.
