The Nigerian Communications Commission has stated that it will sanction telemarketers who get unauthorized access to telecom subscribers’ phone lines for use in their businesses.
It stated that it was untrue that telemarketers get their customers’ phone numbers from the commission.
The NCC disclosed this in a public notice titled, ‘Unauthorised Use of Telecom Subscribers’ Phone Numbers and Other Personal Information by Telemarketers,’ signed by the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta.
The commission explained that it fully abides by the principles and rules guiding the protection of privacy for consumers of telecommunications services and no service provider or telemarketer is authorised to invade, harvest, or use subscriber data in any form or guise without the express approval of the consumer, except otherwise provided by law.
It said, “The protection of the data of telecom subscribers by the Commission is guaranteed in Section 35 (1) of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, 2007; Section 9 (1) of the Nigerian Communications (Registration of Communications Subscribers) Regulations,2022; and Section 4.2 (a) & (b) of the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice.
“Therefore, any telemarketer involved in harvesting telecom subscribers’ phone numbers and other personal details through dishonest means and using such for commercial purposes without regulatory approval is hereby strongly warned to desist from his illegal act, as anyone found guilty shall be arrested and prosecuted in keeping with the law.”
“This can be done by sending STOP to 2442 Short Code for FULL DND. Telecom consumers, who observe such illegal activities by telemarketers, are also encouraged to report such cases to the commission by calling the NCC Toll-Free Number 622 for necessary enforcement actions,” it added
