Centre says retailers can't force customers to share phone number, email ID

The ministry's advisory said that retailers can't take personal data from customers after the purchase of an item. If a customer refuses to share their data, retailers won't have the right to deliberately collect it from them.

The ministry said that if retailers are keen to tell customers about their products, brands, or other information, they need to get consent from customers before taking their mobile number or other personal details. Photo: Pixabay

When we go to retail shops, the problem that we often face is shop owners take our phone numbers without our consent and start sending messages to us about the latest offers or initiatives by their brands. That will no more be a problem as the Department of Consumer Affairs has prepared an advisory for retailers, which restricts them from taking the phone number of a customer without their consent.

The ministry said that an advisory would be issued to retailers in this regard soon and they needed to strictly follow it.

The advisory said that retailers can't take personal data from customers after the purchase of items, like their phone number or email ID.