Spain Cracks Down on Spam Calls with New Regulations

In a significant move to protect consumers from scams and nuisance calls, the Spanish government has announced stringent new regulations aimed at curbing spam phone calls. This initiative, set to come into effect before the end of February 2025, is part of a broader effort to enhance digital safety in the country.

New Ban on Mobile Numbers for Spam Calls

Under the new regulations, mobile phone numbers will no longer be permitted for making spam calls. This decision follows previous measures taken by Spain, including the General Telecommunications Act of 2023, which banned unsolicited calls without prior consent. However, the earlier law still allowed companies to contact users if they had inadvertently granted permission, for example, through a tick box on a website.

The latest crackdown introduces a total ban on sales calls made from mobile numbers, which are often harder to trace and can be mistaken for calls from friends or family members. From now on, businesses will only be allowed to contact potential customers via landline numbers with local prefixes or toll-free numbers starting with 800 or 900.

Minister for Digital Transformation Weighs In

Óscar López, the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, emphasized the necessity of this measure. "We often receive calls from a mobile number, thinking it’s a friend or family member, only to discover it’s a salesperson or a con artist. This will now be banned," López stated.

Enhanced Complaints System and Penalties

The new regulations also include a robust complaints system that allows individuals to report offending mobile phone numbers to the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Office. Companies that fail to comply with these new rules will face significant penalties, further deterring the practice of spam calling.

Broader Efforts to Combat Phone Scams

This initiative is part of a larger strategy to combat phone scams, which have resulted in substantial financial losses globally. The Spanish government is also working on additional protections against scam messages and other forms of cyber fraud.

Impact on Consumers and Businesses

For consumers, this means a significant reduction in unwanted and potentially fraudulent calls. For businesses, it necessitates a shift in marketing strategies, ensuring that any contact with potential customers is made through transparent and traceable means.

As Spain continues to tighten its digital safety measures, this move aligns with the country's commitment to protecting its citizens from the growing threat of cyber scams and nuisance calls. Expats living in Spain can expect a more secure and less intrusive communication environment as these regulations take effect.