UAE Fines Telemarketers Dh19.19m and Disconnects 9,433 Numbers
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The UAE has imposed cumulative fines of Dh19.19 million and disconnected 9,433 phone numbers as part of its campaign against unlawful telemarketing and unwanted promotional calls.
Figures released by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority show that 3,301 violations were recorded against individuals by the end of June 2026. Members of the public had reported 92,748 numbers linked to unwanted or non-compliant marketing calls. The figures have accumulated since the rules took effect in August 2024 and were not recorded in a single day.
The regulations prohibit the use of personal phone numbers for commercial promotion. Marketing calls must come from numbers registered to licensed companies, which must obtain the required approval and respect the national Do Not Call Registry.
Telemarketing calls are restricted to between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. A company may not call again on the same day after a consumer rejects an offer or ends the conversation. An individual using a personal number for marketing can initially face a Dh5,000 fine and suspension of numbers registered in their name, with higher penalties for repeat offences.
Residents and citizens can add their phone numbers to the Do Not Call Registry by texting DNCR to 2211. Registration prevents compliant companies from including that number in authorised telemarketing campaigns.
A suspected violation can be reported by sending the caller’s number to 2211 in the format 05XXXXXXXX. Joining the registry does not block every personal or service-related call; it is primarily intended to stop authorised promotional calls.
In practical terms, using a personal number for sales or promotional calls can now lead to fines and disconnection, while consumers can opt out and report suspected offenders through a simple text message.
