Anatel establishes new rules for blocking abusive telecom calls

Anatel, Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency, has established new rules for telecommunications operators regarding the blocking of abusive and mass calls. The measure aims to combat unwanted communications, including telemarketing, debt collection, donation requests, and fraud attempts.

Under the new regulations, operators implementing anti-spam mechanisms must provide these tools to their entire consumer base at no additional cost. Consumers will be automatically included in the system but retain the right to opt out at any time through a simple, free process, with operators required to process such requests within 24 hours.

Companies are free to choose their own technology to identify and treat calls, as the agency has not mandated a single technological system. Once implemented, operators must notify Anatel within seven days, providing detailed descriptions of the system, its criteria, and the procedures for contesting blocked calls.