Telephone companies should adequate their technological systems to ensure user safety

The Committee for Consumers Defense approved on Wednesday, November (5) the obligation for the phone companies to pay fines for losses suffered by their users in case of telephone tapping and illegal data acquisition.

The approved text is the amended Bill proposed by the rapporteur, Deputy Vinicius Carvalho (PTdoB-RJ), to Bill 2899/08, by Deputy William Woo (PSDB-SP). The text adapts the enforcement of the fine to what is established in the Consumer Defense Code (Law 8.078/90).

The original project established a fine of 10,000 minimum wages, if the company is inefficient in guaranteeing its users privacy. According to the code, the fine – which should be applied in addition to other civil and penal sanctions – varies according to the importance of the violation, the obtained advantage and the financial condition of the supplier.

Privacy
In addition to the fine, the text binds them to implement means to ensure privacy to their users. “The telecommunication-service providers forget that they should adequate their technological systems to provide safety to their users with the same speed and efficiency they invest in competition technology to overcome their competitors” stated the rapporteur.

Procedure
The Project was deemed conclusive power and will be submitted to deliberation by the Committee for Science and Technology, for Communication and Information Technology; and for Constitution and Justice and Citizenship.

Report - Noéli Nobre
Editing - Newton Araújo Jr.