How to Block SMS Ads, Marketing Calls For Etisalat and Du Users in UAE?

If you’re and Etisalat and Du user in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who is tired of SMS ads and marketing calls, you have the option to block these texts and calls through a simple SMS to designated numbers.

SMS has become a relic of the past, with the exception of messages from businesses reminding you about bills, doctor appointments, or notifying you about fines and bank transactions.

However, these crucial texts are just a fraction of what populates your inbox. Take a look, and you’ll likely find an extensive list of unopened messages, many of them from stores advertising discounts and services.

The constant need to delete these ads can be exhausting. And when these advertisements invade your phone line, the intrusion can be downright unbearable. Picture yourself racing against the clock to finish work, only to be interrupted by a marketing call.

Recognizing this community-wide issue, UAE authorities have implemented anti-spam regulations. Furthermore, they’ve empowered residents to block all unwanted promotional messages and calls with just a few taps. Here’s how you can take control:

How to block SMS ads in UAE?

According to guidelines set by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Etisalat and Du users looking to block all SMS advertisements can follow these steps:

1. Type “Ball” and send it to 7726.
2. Your telecom operator will then block all texts from senders that start with “AD-“.
3. If you find other ads useful and want to block only some of them, you can specify by typing “B [Sender Name / Number]” (Example: B AD-SHOP) and sending it to 7726.

How to block marketing calls in UAE?

The UAE has established a ‘Do Not Call Registry (DNCR)’, allowing residents to sign up with their phone numbers to indicate that they do not wish to receive telemarketing and promotional calls.

Subscribing is straightforward and free:

1. Type DNCR and send it to 1012.
2. Your number will be automatically added to the registry.
3. To unblock calls, SMS ‘UDNCR’ to 1012.
4. To check your number’s status, send ‘Check IDNCR’ to 1012.

For those in Dubai, blocking and reporting spam callers can be done by visiting dnd.ded.ae. Once the form is filled out and submitted, a team from the Dubai Economy will ensure the consumer’s contact number is removed from the reported company’s database.

Read more: How to Apply for Late Fee Exemption While Renewing Your Emirates ID?.

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