Consumer Affairs ministry issues advisory against retailers insisting on customers’ mobile numbers

Consumer Affairs ministry issues advisory against retailers insisting on customers’ mobile numbers

In India, it is not mandatory for customers to furnish their personal details to a seller to generate a bill

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an advisory directing retailers not to insist on the personal contact details of the customers for delivering certain services.

According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, customers have complained about many retailers not providing them services if they refuse to share their contact numbers.

Singh stated, "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."

Adding that it was a privacy concern, he said that an advisory was issued to the retail industry and industry chambers CII and FICCI to address the issue in the interest of the consumers.

It is not mandatory in India for customers to furnish their mobile numbers to a retailer to generate a bill. However, customers are put in an awkward situation by sellers insisting on a number to conclude transactions. Most of the time, customers are not given the option to opt-out.