proposed "do-not-call" registry

the ministry for information, communications and the arts (mica) is seeking the first public consultation on the proposed consumer data protection law or national do-not-call registry.

this proposal was announced early this year and will be tabled for consideration by parliament in early 2012.

what is the proposed consumer data protection law?

under the proposed framework, telemarketers must check against names in registry before making cold call or sending sms. Individuals in registry who receives unsolicited call may make complaint to new data protection commission.

data protection commission has the power to investigate complaints and fine offending parties. the minimum fine for telemarketers breaching do-not-call registry, for example, would be a hefty $1 million.

currently, there is no consumer privacy law but only specific regulations requiring protection of customer information in 3 areas: banking, telecommunications and health care.

my comments:

i give my two thumbs up for the proposed "do-not-call" registry because i have had my fair share of daily unsolicited calls (which will probably be on-going) from the following companies:

a. insurance
b. banks - marketing of charge/credit cards, and funds' transfers
c. housing agents
d. time share
e. hotels/resorts
f. spas
g. overseas calls probably from call centres located in asia
h. others

to make the new proposed law more comprehensive, it should be widened to include or cover unsolicited emails and private and public sectors.

despite the passing of the spam control act in 2007 (so long ago already?), i suspect many consumers (myself included) continue to receive unsolicited emails on a daily basis.