Consumers are regularly called by companies to, for instance, conclude a subscription or contract. If you do not want such calls, the Right of Objection offers a solution. Curious about how the Right of Objection works? On this page we will tell you all about it. Among other things, you can read how to make use of the Right of Objection, but also how to prevent receiving advertisements from companies and organisations in the future.
Some people receive calls from a company or organisation at the drop of a hat, while others receive regular e-mails or mail. When this happens unwanted, it undoubtedly causes frustration. Fortunately, you can avoid being contacted by phone, e-mail or mail by a company or organisation. How? By using the Right of Objection. When you use this, a company or organisation is no longer allowed to approach you in any way.
Using the Right of Objection
Anyone wishing to exercise the Right of Objection can do so in various ways. First of all, you can contact a company or organisation yourself and indicate that you no longer wish to be contacted by them. This can be done by phone, but also by e-mail or letter. Are you called and asked if you want to buy a product or service? Then you can indicate during this conversation that you no longer wish to be called. The person on the line must then stop the call immediately. Moreover, the company or organisation may not contact you again (by phone) in the future.
No more advertising
Besides telephone calls, you may also receive advertisements from companies or organisations of which you were once a customer or donor. Because your details are known to the company or organisation, they can send you addressed advertising and leaflets. A NO-NEE sticker is of no use in that case, as it concerns addressed printed matter. The Right of Objection also offers a solution if you no longer want to receive such advertising. You can send a company or organisation a letter or e-mail to make it clear that you no longer wish to receive the addressed advertising.
How to avoid unwanted phone calls from charities and lotteries
Have you played the Friends Lottery, State Lottery or National Postcode Lottery for some time? Or have you been a donor to CliniClowns, Oxfam Novib or Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij for years? Then the organisation behind the lottery or charity may contact you by phone. Even after cancelling charities or lotteries, this is possible. At least, if you do not include a passage about the Right of Resistance in your cancellation letter. If you do, you no longer have to worry about phone calls from charities and lotteries
There are companies that are known to contact consumers by phone frequently. Ziggo is an example of a company that spends a lot of time on telemarketing. Are you (former) customer of this company or have you given permission for (telephone) contact? Do not be surprised if you are regularly approached. If this frustrates you, you can indicate during the phone call that you never want to be called again. In that case, you exercise your Right of Objection. Do you want to cancel a contract or subscription? Then you can state in your letter of cancellation from Opzeggen.nl that you want to use the Right of Objection. You will then only block telemarketing from the company whose contract or subscription you are cancelling.
Where to go with complaints
Have you exercised your Right of Objection, but a company keeps contacting you? If so, don't leave it at that - file a complaint. Unfortunately, many people leave it at that. This is mainly because they do not know where to turn with complaints about telemarketing. To give you a helping hand, we have listed below a number of bodies where you can file a complaint if a company does not comply with the Right of Objection.
Meldpunt Telemarketing
If you want to report a telemarketing call you can do so through the Telemarketing Hotline. You fill in the form and submit it. The site will then ensure that your complaint reaches the company or organisation.
Consuwijzer
Those wishing to report unwanted phone calls can also turn to Consuwijzer. This is part of the Consumer and Market Authority )(ACM). The ACM may launch an investigation in response to your complaint. If the company cannot prove that it has permission for telephone contact, the ACM can impose a fine.
Complaint compass
A third way to complain about unwanted phone calls is through Complaint Compass. Here you choose the company or service provider concerned, write the complaint and fill in your details. Complaint Compass then asks the company to respond to the complaint.
Sample letter
Are you going to cancel a contract or subscription and want to prevent the organisation or company from contacting you in the future? Then make use of the Right of Resistance. You do this by including a passage about this in the cancellation letter. Because many people do not know how to go about this, Opzeggen.nl has prepared a sample letter. Thanks to this sample letter, it is a piece of cake to cancel your contract or subscription and indicate that you do not appreciate (telephone) contact in the future.
In these cases, companies are allowed to call you
With the new Telecommunications Act that came into force in July 2021, some people think that they can no longer be called by companies and organisations. This is a misconception, as there are indeed situations where telephone contact by a company or organisation is allowed. Below, we list the exceptions for you.
What is Right of Objection?
The Right of Objection is a legal right you can exercise when a company or organisation contacts you (by phone). If you indicate that you no longer appreciate contact, you may not be contacted again in the future thanks to the Right of Objection.
What can I do if I use the Right of Objection and still get a call?
If you use the Right of Objection but still receive calls from a company or organisation, you can file a complaint. This can be done at the Telemarketing Hotline, Consuwijzer and Klachtenkompas.
What is the difference between the Call-me-not Register and the Right of Resistance?
For the Bel-me-niet Register you could register, but for the Right of Resistance this is not possible. By the way, the Bel-me-not Register has been abolished since 1 July 2021.
May companies call me to sell me something?
In certain situations, companies are allowed to call you to sell something. Thanks to the Right of Resistance, this is only allowed if you have given your prior consent, are a customer of a company or have been so for the past 3 years and are a donor to a charity, have done voluntary work or attended a meeting.
What is the difference with the Right of Objection?
The main difference between the Right of Resistance and the Right of Objection is that the latter covers both the use and processing of personal data. The Right of Objection only relates to the use of this data.
May companies charge for the Right of Objection?
No, companies are not allowed to charge you when you use the Right of Objection.
How can I stop being called?
If you no longer want to be called, you use the Right of Objection. You can contact a company yourself, or you can indicate this when you receive calls. If you use the Right of Objection, you may not receive future calls from the same company.
Why am I still being called?
If you are no longer a customer or donor, you may still be called. Companies and organisations may call you if you have been a customer for the past 3 years. If you have exercised the Right of Resistance, you may no longer be called.
How do I avoid unwanted phone calls from companies and charities?
You can prevent unwanted telephone calls from companies and charities by indicating that you no longer wish to be called. To do this, you can contact the company or charity by telephone or send an e-mail or letter. When you receive a call, you can indicate during the conversation that you want to use the Right of Objection.