Plea to regulator over telecom firm's 'ringback tone services'

TDT/Manama

A leading telecom firm in the Kingdom is accused of violating the privacy of customers as it is allegedly offering ringback tone advertisements replacing standard acoustic signal.

Many customers have urged the telecom regulator in the Kingdom to look into this violation of norms.

The customers claim that the firm is invading their private space and that also "without their consent".

Speaking to Tribune, a customer who doesn't want to be named, said he is totally frustrated with this violation.

"I am paying the company for offering me this service and how can they sell my private space.

"People who give me a ring get frustrated after listening to Tamil or Hindi songs.

"Moreover, many even disconnected calls thinking they have dialled a wrong number."

The customer said he is not against the ringback tone service advertisements but it should be offered only after obtaining his consent.

Echoing a similar view, another customer said the regulator should also probe into breach of privacy rules.

"I am an Indian national who hails from the state of Tamil Nadu. And they are offering options to set Tamil songs as ringback tones to those who call me.

"This means they have probed into my identity without my consent, which is nothing but identity theft."

Tribune views that telecom firms collecting personal data don't have a right over it and they should be obtained only with the customers' consent.