Article 21 of the constitution provides for this right to life, which has been held to include “Right to Privacy”. In the recent case, where Supreme Court issued notices to Mobile Companies was a right step in this direction.
The unsolicited calls from agencies on your mobiles, are a direct attack on your privacy. Similar is the case with Email Spam, which is well-recognized cyber crime all over the world, but Indian IT Act, 2000 doesn’t include provision for Spamming. But action for the same can be taken under “Law of Torts” for Nuisance. Last year, VSNL won the case for spamming under Law of Torts.
Last month, CNBC uncovered how databases are sold and what information it contains. They made secret deal with the seller and had hidden cameras with them while deal was being struck. It was surprizing to find database not only included Mobile no or email IDs but also other information like mobile plan, age group, etc. 😯
When such sensitive information is contained in the Database, no doubt its been leaked by Mobile companies but they have denied it. Though they didn’t deny the chances of leak out by the agencies, whom they appoint on contract basis !
The Private Banks are also responsilble in leaking out information and also responsible for making unsolicited calls for Loans, Credit Cards, etc. And in some cases, sending out cheques, credit cards in some individuals name, without any request being made.
In December, one of my cousin received a cheque of Rs 20,000/- from HDFC Bank as a loan amount, without any request being made. Still he was cooperative enough to drop back the cheque with the Bank, after making clear to them that he never requested for a cheque.
For more than a month, HDFC bank kept on saying, they havn’t received the cheque back and asked him to fill up an indeminity bond. But we slapped them with a Legal Notice… after which they accpted of having received the cheque back and also apologized many times on phone to him 😛
Mostly all the private banks, are indulging in such Unfair Trade Practices. Manpreet’s case was also interesting, he had CitiBank Credit Card made out in his name, without even applying for it and I think he received the bill too 😆
I also received an Add-on card card from ICICI Bank last year, when I enquired why that have been sent… they said the original card holder had requested the same, which was in my Dad name. But luckily my Dad was out of the country for around 2 months, so they had to accept the cards back.
Then in another case, a private bank offered free Credit Card, which was followed by another credit card, which was not accepted, still charges featured in next month’s statement. This was done by Standard Chartered Bank, when they offered free credit cards to Doctor Community.
Further, they always have hidden condition attached to all the financial products offered by them.
This is the way Private Banks work in India :yes:
shradha says
3/28/2005 at 12:35 pmsorry commenting in the wrong post … but loved the pic in ur last post … the ‘jhoola’ looks beautiful :clap:
manu says
3/28/2005 at 7:01 pmOh wow…I can’t believe all is this happening in India also.
In US, couple of years back they started a ‘no call’ list. People who sign on to that could not receive unsolicited calls on their phones (junk calls come only on landlines here – atleast as of now). So if they still receive calls, the co calling could be liable to a legal action against them. Many co’s have ended up paying out huge sums of money because of this.
As far as credit cards are concerned – everyone with a good credit keeps getting credit cards in mail, even when they have not requested for the same. Pre-approved credit cards are part of every day’s mail…and not one…but mostly our mailbox is full of 2-3 of these. I guess this is why ‘identity theft’ has become so common in US. People have to be extra cautious to discard away anything with their personal information in the right manner (shredding, etc).
Govind says
3/28/2005 at 10:20 pmHmm, I thought private banks offer better service compared to government ones. Seems like Govt. banks are better compared to them.
At least they wont send credit cards with out request. 🙂
Ankur says
3/28/2005 at 11:35 pmThanks Shradha 🙂
Here also Hutch has provided for the number, which we can dial for discontinuing unsolicited calls. But this has been provided only after Supreme Court issued notices.
Credit Cards in Mail 😯
It seems ‘Identity theft’ is ctaching up in India too. I think this is what Manpreet experienced 🙂
Ankur says
3/28/2005 at 11:44 pmRight Govind:!:
Nationalised Banks are far better than Private Banks, when it comes to billing a customer. Like just today, I was surprized to find Rs 220/- debited as charges by ICICI Bank, due to insufficient funds :razz:. These all are the hidden charges, which Private bank make from a customer.
In case of drafts, if we compare the chrges…
If you have to get a draft. ICICI bank will charge you minimum of Rs 55/-. Some other private bank, will charge you Rs 28/-
Whereas, Nationalized Bank such as Dena Bank will charge you Rs 7/- to a account holder and Rs 11 to others, when the draft amount is less than Rs 1000/-
This is indeed a big difference…
Manpreet says
3/29/2005 at 3:52 pmDamn.. these banks & mobile phone companies…
After repeated requests, citibank still hasn’t cancelled my card.. maybe i need to take them to court… archer you can help in this regard!! 🙂
Also, I’m sick with my Airtel connection.. keep getting messages all the day.. sometimes even in middle of night to subscribe to their services.. whatever…really they are a nuisance…
Ankur says
3/31/2005 at 12:12 pmHutch also send messages, which reads… on producing this SMS at our Showroom, you will be entitled to 30% discount 😕
This is realy nuisance…
abhi says
4/1/2005 at 12:17 amthis is a job well done by the government :clap:. but then again, dosen’t companies get the right to know if their employees are working efficiently?!
Ankur says
4/1/2005 at 2:19 pmAbhishek has got a new blog link again :faint: