IDA to allow texting and faxing despite DNC Registry

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http://www.zdnet.com/sg/singapore-adds-do-not-call-exemption-for-firms-with-existing-customers-7000024637/

Businesses in Singapore can still continue to send text or fax messages to existing customers without having to first check with the Do-Not-Call (DNC) Registry when this list comes into effect January 2.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) on Thursday introduced a new "exemption order" covering this.

It explained that the exemption was introduced in recognition of customers who may wish to continue receiving information, via text or fax, from businesses with which they have an ongoing relationship, even though they have registered with the DNC.

 A bank or credit card company, for instance, can continue to send its existing credit-card holders telemarketing messages about related services, such as a rewards schemes for its credit-card customers.

Despite the exemption order, businesses are still required to include instructions in their text and fax messages on how consumers can opt out of future messages as well as enable them to do so using the same medium on which the messages is received.

Upon the customer's opt-out request, the organization must stop sending such messages.

The DNC registry comes into effect on January 2, 2014.

Companies will have 60 days to ensure compliance during the first six months after the registry's operations, and 30 days thereafter.

In a statement, IDA said the new exemption order does not apply to voice calls, so businesses will still need to check with the DNC registry before embarking on any telemarketing calls.