site.btaCurrent Measures to Deter Mobile Operators from Violating Consumer Rights Are Ineffective, CPC Chair Says

The existing measures taken against practices of mobile operators in Bulgaria that violate consumer rights are not effective enough, as telecoms continue to apply them, said the Chair of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) Maria Filipova on Wednesday during a meeting of the Subcommittee on Monitoring Consumer Protection Activities and Restriction of Monopolies in the National Assembly.

The topic of the meeting is the reports received against mobile operators and the measures taken for consumer protection.

In Filipova's words, mobile operators have systematically failed for years to comply with prohibitions on unfair commercial practices, confirmed by court decisions.

She gave examples of price indexation of mobile service contracts, of not providing enough information to users from vulnerable age groups.

"What has brought me here to you is that if the orders that have come into force, confirmed by two courts, if the orders that have come into force and the penalties that have come into force in the amount prescribed by law are not an effective enough mechanism to deter mobile operators from violating our fundamental rights, then what could stop them. This means the measures currently in place are ineffective," Filipova said.

She asked why, in conversations, telecoms agree with determinations that certain practices are unfair and then challenge them in court.

The CPC Chair also pointed out that the maximum amount of the sanctions of BGN 50,000 has no deterrent and preventive effect on unfair practices.