Legal requirements deliberately ignored – Federal Network Agency imposes record fines in 2023

After the Federal Network Agency (https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de) switched off around 9,800 telephone numbers in 2023 to combat number misuse (https://www.pressetext.com/news/20240115014), the amount of the fines imposed was announced today, Friday. 1.435 million was paid to the tax authorities in fines for unauthorised telephone advertising. In comparison: in 2022, the figure was 1.15 million euros.

Call centres and co affected

The reason for the high amount of fines is the many extreme cases of unauthorised telephone advertising in which companies deliberately ignore the legal requirements. According to the Bonn authority, the proceedings were predominantly conducted against companies operating in the energy market and call centres commissioned by them.

In 2023, the Federal Network Agency imposed fines totalling 285,000 euros in three cases and 275,000 euros in one case relating to the energy sector alone. “Many companies are still not complying with the legal requirements when making advertising calls,” said Klaus Müller, President of the Agency.