Shopkeepers cannot require a customer to give their mobile number in exchange for a good or service: Govt

For clients who are unnecessarily required to give their mobile numbers to shopkeepers when purchasing goods from the store, there is some good news. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued a warning to store owners not to request consumers’ cell phone details.

The department has taken serious note of this circumstance, said Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary for consumer affairs, in the advise. I implore you to properly warn the merchants that obtaining a customer’s mobile number at the time of the sale of any good or service should not be done without that customer’s express agreement and that doing so should not be made a requirement for purchase.

The Retailers Association of India (RAI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are a few of the organisations Mr. Singh has given the advise to.

The secretary claims that many complaints made to the national consumer helpline (NCH) concern how many retail shops need customers to provide their mobile numbers while making a purchase. Additionally, when customers refuse to reveal their mobile number, shops frequently refuse to provide the product or service and also deny requests for a refund or exchange