A lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to ban unwanted calls, text messages, and emails.
Tarlac Rep. Christian Tell Yap said House Bill 270 is “a protective measure for all mobile phone subscribers and email users from unwanted calls, text messages, and e-mails.”
“It prohibits and penalizes unsolicited commercial or promotional advertisements without the prior consent of the receiver, promoting fair, responsible and less intrusive marketing practices,” Yap’s note, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.
The lawmaker further said the measures would establish a “No Call, No Text and No Email Registries” policy through the National Privacy Commission, which will serve as listings for subscribers who do not want to receive any similar communication.
“It seeks to protect mobile phone subscribers and email users from unwanted calls, text messages and e-mails that intrude, disrupt and disturb their activities. Further, the measure aims to promote the adoption of more responsible and accountable business practices from marketing and sales agents,” Yap said.
Under the bill, commercial or promotional advertisements via SMS—also known as push messages—may only be sent to a subscriber who has given prior consent or has specifically opted in to receive said messages without additional cost, ABS-CBN further reported.