Forum reply on TODAY, 17 Jan 2014

I refer to Mr Lesley Ang’s letter, “Those who want to receive texts from businesses should opt in” (Jan 2).

The major local telcos have verified that, as of today, they do not charge for incoming SMSes received in roaming destinations, except in limited circumstances, such as when users are connected to cellular networks on certain cruise ships and ferries.

Individuals who wish to clarify such charges may wish to check with their telcos.

The Do Not Call Registry came into effect on Jan 2. If Mr Ang registered his telephone numbers before then, he should not receive any unsolicited telemarketing messages (call, SMS or fax) via the registered medium from Jan 2, unless he has given clear consent to the organisation.

If he registered on or after Jan 2, there is a 60-day period for the registration to take full effect because the registration could have taken place after some organisations had checked the registry.

For current customers or members of organisations, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has provided an exemption for organisations, as part of servicing their ongoing customer relationships, to send telemarketing messages related to those relationships via SMS or fax only.

Individuals who do not wish to receive these in-service messages can unsubscribe to such messages from the sender organisations. These messages must cease after 30 days.

Those who continue to receive unsolicited telemarketing messages from organisations to which they have not provided clear consent may lodge a complaint with the PDPC for investigation through our website (http://www.pdpc.gov.sg).

Amos Tan (Mr)
Director, Communications & Operations
Personal Data Protection Commission