Do you also get annoyed when shopkeepers ask you to submit your mobile number for generating something? Well, the government has now spoken against it, and shopkeepers will no longer pester you to provide your mobile number. With online scams on the rise, revealing your mobile number can expose it to scammers who often carry out these scams through mobile phone and WhatsApp messages.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an advisory asking the retailers not to force customers to give their personal contact details for certain services, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh. This advisory was issued because many customers have complained that retailers refuse to provide services unless they share their contact number, as per a PTI report.
The Secretary explained that sellers often say they can’t give customers a bill unless they provide their personal contact details. However, this is considered unfair and goes against the Consumer Protection Act. There is no good reason for retailers to collect this information, and it restricts customers unfairly. The Secretary spoke to reporters and emphasized that this is not right.
“Sellers say they cannot generate the bill until personal contact details are provided. This is an unfair and restrictive trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act and there is no rationality behind collecting the information,” the Secretary said.
There is also a privacy concern with retailers asking for personal contact details. To address this issue and protect customers, the Ministry has given guidance to the retail industry and industry chambers like CII and FICCI.
In India, it is not mandatory for customers to give their mobile numbers to retailers in order to get a bill. However, customers often feel pressured by retailers who insist on having their contact number to complete transactions. They don’t have a choice to say no in many situations.
The Ministry’s advisory is an important step to address these customer complaints. It aims to ensure that retailers treat customers fairly, respect their privacy, and follow the rules. This will help protect the rights and interests of consumers when they interact with retailers for various services.
When shopkeepers have access to your phone number, they may use it to send you unsolicited marketing messages or make unwanted sales calls. This can be annoying and intrusive, consuming your time and resources. They will also not pay attention to the security and privacy of customers and may expose your data to online scammers.
