Dubai: If you are an Etisalat user, you might have received the following text message from Etisalat on your phone: “Important Update
Dear customer, in order to continue enjoying your Apple Services, Google Play store and other App Store purchases, please dial *101*70# from your Etisalat mobile number and select a monthly Cap Limit. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
This message follows the earlier announcement issued by the UAE Telecommunications Authority (TRA) asking telecom providers in the UAE to implement a new rule to ensure safe transactions when purchasing from mobile app stores.
In an announcement issued by TRA, app purchases will no longer be processed through the customer’s mobile number as of November 1. Alternatively, customers are now required to set a limit in order to prevent surprise charges on their phone bills, also known as “bill shock”.
“As of November 1, 2019, purchases from mobile application stores will not be processed through the mobile number. The purchase will only be activated if the customer sets a limit on the value of purchases from the app stores by communicating with the service provider,” said the TRA.
The telecom authority further clarified that prior to the new rule, customers were able to purchase from app stores by either charging it on their credit card or on their monthly phone bill without any limit.
“We have now imposed a zero purchase ceiling for app purchases and only the owner of the line, not the user, can set a cap within his budget,” it said.
The move is line with the TRA’s efforts to protect consumers in the UAE.
