As a customer, I complained about Airtel’s annoying and incessant interruption in the form of promotional short messages, and phone calls playing ads. That was last year. Today, I am happy to see the following in the product¹ accompanying instruction/information pages (under Useful Tips):

We respect your privacy

Airtel communicates various promotional offers that are of significant benefit to you. If you do not wish to be informed about such benefits, you can unsubscribe by filling up the form given on our website www.airtel.in. Your request will be implemented within 48 Hours from the date of submission.

While I have serious doubts about “significant benefits”, I am happy to see Airtel finally respecting customer’s privacy by providing a way to opt out of the promo-crap.

You’ll, however, need to squint to notice the opt-out link—Do Not Disturb Registry—located on airtel.in site’s footer; the URL isn’t printed on the product accompanying instruction/information page.

I suppose it is going to take Indian companies (and consumers alike) a while to realize that offerings like protection of customer privacy are more of a feature, than a bug. Until then, telemarketers will have a field day.

1. SIM cards, or recharge coupons. [←]

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