When shopping at supermarkets for groceries, vegetables, clothes and other items, cashiers often ask for our mobile numbers. If we refuse, they claim defective goods, especially clothes, cannot be exchanged or refunded. This tactic is common even in branded stores. Sellers cannot insist on mobile numbers or deny valid returns. A purchase bill should suffice to replace defective goods or rectify deficiencies. Sharing numbers leads to unwanted calls and messages about offers and promotions and raises concerns about misuse or sale of personal data. Some cafés, restaurants and eateries also seek mobile numbers, promising discounts on future visits.
Legally, sellers or service providers cannot seek mobile numbers unless essential, and such requests cannot be linked to the exchange of genuinely faulty goods. On May 26, 2023, the Department of Consumer Affairs classified forced data collection as an “unfair and restrictive trade practice”. Customers are protected under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, which prohibits denial of standard services for refusing to share data. The government must require outlets to inform customers of these rights and allow them to decide whether to share their mobile numbers.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
