DED cracks down on website for offering unauthorised services

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has ordered closure of a website that offered to issue medical licenses without appropriate permission to carry out any such activity. The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED, acting on a complaint received, found out that the company was actually licensed to design computer networks and information systems but not anything related to the medical sector.

Following the discovery, the Electronic Compliance section in CCCP fined the website owner for non-compliance and engaging in unauthorised activity. The website was also given a deadline to straighten its record and choice of amending the activities permitted under the license.

Commenting on the incident, Mahir Al Marzouki, Head of Electronic Compliance in CCCP, said the Department of Economic Development is committed to protect the rights of businesses as well as consumers and to uphold transparency and competitiveness in the e-commerce sector.

“Dubai, and the UAE in general, are witnessing a fast and steady growth in e-commerce across various sectors. The Department of Economic Development is accordingly maintaining a close watch on online service providers and transactions to protect consumers and safeguard the reputation enjoyed by Dubai as a safe retail and services destination,” Al Marzouki said.

“There are different guidelines and requirements that govern business activity in Dubai. For example, approval from different government agencies have been made mandatory for some activities in order to ensure standards and efficiency. Likewise, some professional activities require certain level of experience and experience for the employer and employees. We monitor compliance with these standards and requirements,” said Al Marzouki.

CCCP receives complaints relating to e-commerce transactions and websites offering such services are required to display information on the channels available for consumers to raise a complaint in Dubai, including the Ahlan Dubai number 600 54 5555.“The Department of Economic Development has expanded our consumer awareness campaigns to include consumer groups and businesses engaging in online transactions,” said Al Marzouki.