Canada's CRTC clamps down on telemarketers

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canada's main telecom regulator, is taking a hard line on telemarketers, issuing citations against 85 companies that violated telemarketing rules.

In its latest effort, the regulator said that 74 telemarketers did not register with the National Do Not Call List operator, nor subscribed to the National Do Not Call List.

Another 11 companies faced fines totaling CAD 41,000 (USD 41,369) for what it said were "more significant breaches."

"Today's announcement should serve as a reminder that registering as a telemarketer is a basic requirement," said Andrea Rosen, the CRTC's Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer. "Anyone making telemarketing calls to Canadians while not registered and subscribed to the list is strongly encouraged to come into compliance as soon as possible."

Canada, of course, is not the only country that's had issues with telemarketers. In the U.S., the FCC recently enacted rules that will require telemarketers to get written consent from consumers to make automated calls known as "robocalls."

For more:
- see the release

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