Mobile firms asked not to share info

NEW DELHI: Taking strong note of unsolicited calls and SMSs, the local consumer commission has ordered mobile service providers not to share telephone numbers and other information about their customers with companies who promote business by tele-marketing.
   
Admitting a complaint filed against unsolicited communications by tele-marketing companies, the commission bench headed by Justice J D Kapoor restrained all mobile service providers from sharing information about their customers who have registered for the "do not call" facility.

"By this interim order, all mobile service providers are restrained from sharing any kind of information, including the disclosure of mobile telephone numbers, to banks or any other finance companies and other agencies who promote their business by way of tele-marketing," it said in a recent order.
   
The commission ordered that copies of its order should be served to the Cellular Operators of India and banks for compliance with it.
   
The directions came during the hearing of a complaint filed by Rajender Jaina, a resident of Connaught Place here, against Bharti Airtel. Jaina alleged that unsolicited calls and SMSs had infringed on his right to privacy and caused immense mental agony.
   
Jaina sought the impleading of nine multinational banks as parties to his complaint, which was allowed by the commission.
   
"Let notice be issued to Bharti Airtel Ltd and also to the banks from whom the calls were received by the complainant and these nine banks be impleaded as respondents," it said.