(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) is drafting a code of conduct to ensure that senders of marketing and advertising messages through mobile phones comply with legal, regulatory and social obligations.
The code will also ensure the protection of customers' right to receive such commercial information and stop receiving it whenever they want to in a simple process.
The CRA, mandated to regulate the telecoms sector and protect customers, announced in a statement yesterday it is monitoring reports in local press and social media about telecom customers receiving scam or spam messages on their mobile phones.
"CRA also have received some complaints about this issue," it said in the statement.
According to CRA, these unwanted messages fall into two categories: Messages received through the short messaging service or SMS, and messages received through over-the-top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, etc.
CRA, which has engaged with the service providers to address these two categories, advised telecom customers in Qatar to help address this situation until stringent measures are in place.
Regarding SMS, the CRA clarified that both Ooredoo and Vodafone have mechanisms and processes in place to block specific numbers for individuals, or for all customers in Qatar if the same number is found to send scam message to multiple customers.
Ooredoo has in place a Fraud Management System as well as Customer Care Management System to investigate all complaints related to spam, scam and premium services.
Ooredoo customers who receive spam and scam messages can:
Stop spamming messages by texting "Unsub ServiceName" to 92600 or to stop all bulk SMS senders, send "Unsub all" to 92600; block an unknown or spamming sender via Ooredoo's mobile app; block an unknown or spamming sender via Ooredoo helpline 111 or website, or report cases via Facebook and Twitter.
Vodafone customers who receive spam and scam messages can:
Block an unknown or spamming sender via Vodafone helpline 111 and website or report cases via Facebook and Twitter.
The CRA pointed out that most of the OTT applications allow users to report and block unwanted senders.
"If you need any assistance in how to use the app, contact your service provider through their customer service hotline. If you continue to receive messages from unknown numbers through the OTT applications, contact your service provider to block that number."
The CRA reiterated that it takes the consumer protection mandate very seriously. Most of the customer complaints received by the CRA are about related premium services, the customers' inability to unsubscribe, spam and scam, etc.
The CRA investigates these complaints and works with the service providers to resolve them in keeping with Telecommunications Law and By-Law, as well as the Consumer Protection Policy and the Advertising Code.
"We are now exploring additional mechanisms and regulatory enforcements that will further clarify the use of telecom services. In doing so, we have and will continue to engage with relevant external authorities and service providers to increase customer benefits while safeguarding their rights," the CRA added.
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