Government Extends Deadline for Public Comments on Unsolicited Business Communication Guidelines

The government has extended the deadline to August 8 for public comments on proposed guidelines aimed at curbing unsolicited business communications such as promotional calls and text messages. The extension follows requests from various stakeholders. The guidelines seek to protect consumers from unauthorized marketing and ensure compliance with TRAI's rules.

The government on Thursday extended the deadline for comments on draft guidelines to curb unsolicited business communications like promotional calls and text messages to August 8.

The move comes after requests from various federations, associations, and stakeholders, the food and consumer affairs ministry announced. The original deadline was July 21.

According to the ministry, it has received numerous suggestions and comments, which are under examination. The draft guidelines, crafted in consultation with stakeholders, including telecom firms and regulators, define 'business communication' and set guidelines for compliance with recipient consent.

Key features include applying to all entities involved in such communications, classifying communications as unsolicited if they lack recipient consent, and barring communications violating TRAI's commercial message guidelines.

The guidelines aim to tackle unregistered marketers using private numbers, which remain unregulated, and strengthen the 'Do Not Disturb' registry's effectiveness for registered telemarketers. The draft guidelines seek to protect consumers from invasive marketing.