The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has significantly ramped up its efforts to curb unauthorized cold-calling, imposing a staggering Dh19.19 million in fines as of mid-2026. Since the implementation of stricter regulations in 2024, authorities have cracked down on the misuse of personal phone numbers for commercial promotions, resulting in over 3,300 individual violations and the disconnection of 9,433 numbers. By flagging nearly 93,000 numbers based on public reports, the TDRA is sending a clear message: personal mobile lines are strictly for private use, and abusing them for business purposes will lead to heavy financial penalties and service suspensions.

To protect residents from intrusive marketing, the TDRA encourages the public to utilize the ‘Do Not Call Registry’ (DNCR) by texting ‘DNCR’ to 2211, while also reporting violators via the same channel. These regulations also impose rigid standards on licensed marketing firms, including restricted calling hours, bans on aggressive sales tactics, and hefty fines of up to Dh150,000 for non-compliance. With penalties for individuals reaching as high as Dh50,000 and the threat of year-long communication bans for repeat offenders, the authority’s aggressive enforcement marks a decisive shift toward ensuring a harassment-free digital experience across the nation.