CIC directed TRAI to evolve clear and categorical guidelines on auto renewal of VAS in next three months.

CIC directed TRAI to evolve clear and categorical guidelines on auto renewal of VAS in next three months.

Telecom Subscribers have been facing problems with activation of value added services (VAS) without seeking explicit consent of the subscribers. Activation of value added services without seeking explicit consent of the subscribers. Activation of any value added service (VAS) without seeking explicit consent is against the subscribers and is prohibited by TRAI regulations.

To add to the problems of subscribes, the companies are putting these value added services on “Auto-Renewal Mode”. The subscribers are compelled to get them de-activated in case the subscribes are not interested in such VAS. This is against the principle of ethical business practices and TRAI is not showing its inclination to step in to put a stop on such unethical business practices.

Mr. S.K. Virmani had taken up the issue with TRAI under RTI Act 2005. Not getting proper information from TRAI , Chief Information Commission was approached as laid down in RTI Act 2005. Chief Information Commission (CIC) heard the matter on 17/07/2013 and delivered its judgement in the hearing of Mr. S.K. Virmani vs. TRAI and directed TRAI to evolve clear and categorical guidelines keeping in view ethical business practices in next three months time. Earlier TRAI informed CIC that “There are no regulatory guidelines issued form TRAI for disallowing auto-renewal facilities for value added services and special tariff vouchers.