Alpha Bank Fined 1.8 Million Rubles for Spam Calls to Tomich Residents
Going Steady with Spammy Calls: Alfa-Bank Fined for Nuisance Calls and Messages, partially paid the fine using a legal leniency
Hear that whining sound? It's Tomsk residents being bothered by Alfa-Bank's persistent calls and messages, and they've reported it to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS). The bank has been slapped with a nearly 2 million ruble fine for these nuisance communications, but Alfa-Bank only paid half, taking advantage of a lenience period as stated by FAS' press service [2].
According to the press release, the residents of Tomsk complained about the harassing calls they received directly from Alfa-Bank. The FAS found that the numbers from whence the calls originated belonged to Alfa-Bank.
"The Tomsk office of the FAS of Russia has brought AO "Alfa-Bank" to administrative responsibility for flooding residents with advertising messages and calls without consent. The fine totals 1.8 million rubles (600,000 rubles for each breach). Alfa-Bank utilized the leniency period permitted by law and paid the fine amounting to 900,000 rubles", the statement read.
It's also stated that another case against Alfa-Bank is under consideration due to illegal advertising, and a lawsuit for administrative misconduct may also be filed [3]. Remember when Bank Uralsib got hit with a similar fine on April 21st? That's right, our bank buddies aren't learning their lesson quickly [4].
But wait, there's a twist. Russian courts have recognized a constitutional right to privacy that could potentially be violated due to sending unsolicited marketing messages[1]. This private right isn't just within the realm of emails and texts—it also includes phone calls. So, say goodbye to those pesky spam calls, or we might see more bank accounts carrying even heftier fines.
[1] (https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/16/russia-ruling-recognizes-right-privacy)[2] (https://ria.ru/20210426/alfabank-2792519633.html)[3] (https://www.rbc.ru/business/26/04/2021/5eb7d14e9a7947500a0b9333)[4] (https://ria.ru/20210421/uralsib-2792512213.html)
- The antimonopoly regulators in Tomsk found Alfa-Bank guilty of sending nuisance calls and messages without consent, earning the bank a fine of 1.8 million rubles.
- Despite the fine, Alfa-Bank only paid half, using a legal leniency period that allowed them to pay 900,000 rubles.
- This isn't the first time a bank in Russia has faced such a penalty; Bank Uralsib encountered a similar fine on April 21st.
- The ruling recognizing the right to privacy in Russia could potentially prevent unsolicited marketing messages, including phone calls, and lead to heavier fines for banks that do not comply.
