VodafoneZiggo, a major Dutch telecom operator, has acknowledged its responsibility for telemarketing practices, both for its own actions and those of third-party companies that conduct telemarketing on its behalf. This commitment comes after the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) initiated an investigation due to numerous complaints about unsolicited telemarketing calls.

As part of its commitment to ACM, VodafoneZiggo has pledged to ensure that all telemarketing calls made on its behalf will only target individuals who have given prior consent. This means that the company will tighten its oversight of telemarketing activities and enforce compliance among the companies it collaborates with. The ACM has agreed to end its investigation following this commitment.

Martijn Ridderbos, a board member of ACM, emphasized the importance of VodafoneZiggo's acknowledgment of responsibility, stating that it sets a precedent for other companies in the industry. He noted that moving forward, individuals will only receive commercial offers via phone if they have explicitly consented to such calls, which is expected to reduce unsolicited telemarketing.

The commitment also includes provisions that require all telemarketing companies working with VodafoneZiggo to adhere to these rules. If individuals withdraw their consent, they must not be contacted again. VodafoneZiggo will be responsible for ensuring compliance among its partners and will implement stricter monitoring processes.

In response to the situation, VodafoneZiggo has also agreed to donate €25,000 to the National Foundation for Elderly as a gesture of goodwill. The ACM has been proactive in reminding telecom and energy companies of their obligations regarding telemarketing, emphasizing the need for explicit consent from consumers before making calls.

ACM plans to enhance its enforcement of telemarketing regulations, allowing consumers to report unsolicited calls through its consumer information portal. This will help the authority identify irregularities and take necessary actions. The ACM will conduct audits to ensure that businesses comply with the established telemarketing rules.