Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nepal has released a draft Electronic Commerce Directive to regulate online shopping through mandatory registration, digital payments, data protection, and grievance mechanisms. The proposal strengthens consumer rights, introduces compliance oversight, and aims to formalize and modernize the country’s growing eCommerce ecosystem.
Qatar has suspended Talabat’s services for one week after finding the delivery platform guilty of misleading practices and consumer protection violations. Authorities cited deceptive product descriptions and failure to ensure service guarantees, while Talabat pledged cooperation and launched an internal review to resolve the issue.
Kenya and Nigeria are tightening oversight of digital lending with new regulations. Kenya’s CBK has licensed 153 digital credit providers under laws to curb predatory practices, while Nigeria’s DEON Regulations mandate registration, ethical recovery, fair interest rates, and data protections to safeguard consumers in a rapidly expanding credit market.
Oman’s TRA has introduced strict new rules on telecom pricing and promotions to prevent price wars, protect consumers, and maintain fair competition. Measures include limits on offers, intervention triggers on steep price drops, and stricter oversight of dominant operators, with the framework set for ongoing review.
Pakistan’s mobile phone market continues to strengthen its local assembly capabilities, significantly reducing dependency on imports and enhancing domestic production. Meanwhile, regulatory vigilance remains high with strong consumer complaint resolution, reflecting efforts to ensure quality and reliability in telecom services.
The Bangladesh regulator mandates up to 20% broadband price cuts, following extensive supply chain analysis and market reforms. New tariffs and consumer compensation policies aim to increase affordability and ensure service accountability, enhancing digital inclusion across the country.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is rolling out new initiatives to improve telecom transparency. Key updates include a regulation to ensure accurate billing systems and the launch of the “Commercial Caller ID” project, requiring corporate call centers to identify themselves and their purpose, aiming to protect consumers.
The UAE will leverage advanced digital technologies and AI-driven mechanisms to combat counterfeit goods and commercial fraud. This initiative, discussed at a forum organized by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, includes tightening sanctions, enhancing quality control, and increasing public awareness to protect consumer rights and ensure market fairness.
The UAE Ministry of Economy has launched a National Digital Platform to track the prices of essential commodities. The platform provides real-time data on goods like oil, eggs, and sugar, allowing officials to monitor prices and ensure compliance with established price ceilings, supporting market stability and consumer protection.
India has introduced stricter regulations for telecom service providers, imposing fines up to Rs 10 lakh for failing to curb unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and SMS spam. The new rules simplify the complaint process and enforce faster actions against spammers, aiming to enhance consumer protection and digital communication security.