Report violations through private messages: Consumer Protection Authority

Muscat: The Consumer Protection Authority has asked social media users to make use of the private messaging features of the platforms to report violations by commercial establishments instead of posting pictures in public. This is to ensure that the Authority's inference collection procedures and evidence chain is not disturbed.

In a statement, the Authority said, "Some consumers, while submitting complaints on social media, mention names of the establishments in public domain and publish pictures before the authenticity of the violation can be confirmed. We ask all consumers to report violations through the private messaging feature of the social media platform in order to avoid obstructing the Authority's procedures and to preserve evidence of the violation."

The Authority also indicated that publishing of such photos before a violation can be ascertained and a decision made by authorities, could expose the poster to legal action by the commercial establishment, which would dispute the post.