India’s highest court has asked the government to curb mobile phone spam following a lawsuit against telemarketers and telecommunications companies, according to wire service reports.
The lawsuit, by Delhi resident Harsh Pathak, complained that telemarketing breached India’s constitutional right to privacy in that country.
The case highlights an emerging conflict between consumer privacy and India’s booming telecommunications industry. There are nearly 70,000 new telephone connections each day, a consumption rate exceeded only by that of neighboring China.
“We agree there are concerns about privacy. But at the same time there should be guidelines in place,” said Pankaj Shah, director of the Direct Marketing Association of India.
All eyes will now turn to India’s government, which must explain to the supreme court whether it is considering any guidelines or law limiting mobile phone spam.
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