SIC takes action against Claro and Tigo for consumer rights infringements

The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) of Colombia, as National Authority for Consumer Protection, sanctioned the telecommunications operators CLARO and TIGO for violating the consumer protection legal system. 

CLARO CASE: 

The SIC required CLARO to pay $1,534,000,000 COP (more than USD $392.000), for misleading advertising campaigns. One of them, also included abusive clauses limiting their own responsibility and shifting liability to the consumer’s applications for the mobile data usage. 

According to the SIC, CLARO indicated consumers through advertising pieces and campaigns, that it was possible for them to enjoy Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter applications without generating data consumption. Nevertheless, it was verified that activities such as logging in, calls or video calls and live broadcasting actually generate data consumption. These facts served as basis to sanction CLARO for not providing accurate information.  

TIGO CASE: 

Furthermore, the SIC imposed a fine of $1.343.000.000 COP (USD $343.656), to COLOMBIA MÓVIL (TIGO), for alleged practices that disregard the users right to maintain ownership of their mobile lines. 

TIGO was responsible for: 

• Reused and/or recycled mobile numbers of users without complying with current regulatory requirements. 
• Unilaterally modified service provision contracts. 
• Ignored the requests for information made regarding the preliminary investigations that were carried out for these infractions.