Regulation on registering consumers not willing to receive calls and messages
Starting from January 2024, consumers in Serbia have the right to register in the Do Not Call Registry, allowing them to protect themselves from unwanted phone calls and messages offering products or services. This step provides consumers with the ability to control communication with traders, safeguarding their privacy and avoiding intrusive marketing campaigns.
Regulation:
The Regulation on Registering Consumers Not Willing to Receive Calls and/or Messages within Promotion and/or Sales by Phone ("Sl. glasnik RS", No. 118/2023, hereinafter: the Regulation) finally came into force on January 5, 2024. This regulation represents an essential step in protecting consumer rights by granting them control over communication with traders.
Objective and legal basis:
The idea of forming the Do Not Call Registry stems from the Consumer Protection Act ("Sl. glasnik RS", No. 88/2021), but it took time to adopt the Regulation that precisely defines the registration procedures. This registry is designed to protect consumers from unwanted commercial activities through phone calls, SMS, or emails, giving them the power to decide on communication with traders.
Registration procedure:
Operators are obligated, upon the request of users with whom they have a contract for using electronic communication services, to perform registration or removal of phone numbers in the Do Not Call Registry without charging any fees.
Procedure and registration methods:
Users can submit a request for registration or removal of phone numbers through the operator's website, using the provided application, or at sales points with proper identification. It's important to note that requests can be submitted only once per month.
Access to the Registry:
Traders have access to the Do Not Call Registry in two ways: without registration (i.e., "yes/no" checks) or with registration. Each consumer can verify whether their number is included in this registry through the website of the regulatory body responsible for electronic communications - RATEL.
Conclusion:
The Do Not Call Registry represents a significant step in protecting consumer rights from unwanted marketing activities through phone calls and messages. This initiative empowers consumers to control their communication with traders and safeguard their privacy.