The CRTC has partnered with enforcement agencies from around the world to establish an International Do Not Call Network, expanding the scope of the National Do Not Call List that was established in 2008.
The CRTC and its Australian counterpart, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), will serve as the network’s inaugural co-chairs. In addition to Canada and Australia, there are 12 other member countries – including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Korea.
The international network will facilitate cooperation between agencies that enforce telemarketing rules in their respective countries. Its members will meet each year to establish best practices and work to develop what the CRTC called “robust” telemarketing laws. It will also work to harmonize international telemarketing policies to improve enforcement across different jurisdictions.
In a release, outgoing CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein said that enforcement agencies face a “common challenge” in tracking down companies and individuals that violate telemarketing rules while operating outside national borders.
“A global problem calls for global solutions,” he said. “Having a network that fosters collaboration will contribute to more effective cross-border enforcement activities and help reduce unwanted telephone calls to Canadians from foreign telemarketers.”
The CRTC is promoting international cooperation to enforce telemarketing rules. Working with Mexico’s consumer protection agency, the CRTC recently reached an agreement with two telemarketing companies in that country that were selling and promoting vacation packages to Canadians. According to the release, the companies have agreed to abide by Canadian do-not-call rules.
