Chile's Senate unanimously approved, in general terms, a bill banning promotional calls from companies to people who have not given their consent. The text amends Law 19,496 on consumer protection and sets fines of up to 1,000 UTM, more than CLP 72 million, according to Puranoticia and Meganoticias. The deadline for amendments is November 6.
What the anti-spam call law proposes
- Prior, express and specific consent: companies may only call or send promotional messages to people who have authorized it.
- Identifiable calls: advertising, promotional and out-of-court debt collection calls must be recognizable as such.
- Fines of up to 1,000 UTM per violation, more than CLP 72 million.
| Bill provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law it amends | Law 19,496 on consumer rights protection |
| Senate vote | Approved in general terms, unanimously |
| Consent | Prior, express and specific |
| Maximum fine | 1,000 UTM (more than CLP 72 million) |
| Amendment deadline | November 6, 2026 |
The debate: what about debt collection calls?
The discussion revealed differences over the law's scope. According to Diario Estrategia, some senators argued the regulation should focus only on advertising without consent, while others asked to include debt collection related to existing contracts. That point will be decided during the amendment stage.
What stages remain
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| General approval in the Senate | Done, unanimously |
| Amendment period | Until November 6, 2026 |
| Detailed discussion (committee and Senate floor) | Pending |
| Second reading in the Chamber of Deputies | Pending |
| Enactment and publication | Pending |
Until the law is published, current rules remain in force. A bill approved in general terms can still change during the detailed discussion.
What you can do about spam calls today
- Ask to be removed: Chile's consumer law already lets you demand that a company stop sending you advertising, and it must explain how.
- Use your phone's blocking tools: Android and iPhone let you silence unknown numbers or mark them as spam.
- Never share data over the phone: no bank will ask for passwords or codes in a call.
- File a complaint with Sernac (Chile's consumer agency) if a company keeps calling after you asked it to stop.
- Check what you accept: many authorizations to receive advertising are given when accepting terms and conditions.
Promotional campaigns increase before dates such as Black Friday, as we cover in when Black Friday 2026 is in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
Are spam calls already banned in Chile?
Not yet. The bill was approved in general terms by the Senate and still has several stages to go.
How large are the fines?
Up to 1,000 UTM per violation, more than CLP 72 million, according to the bill approved in general terms.
Does the law cover debt collection calls?
That is under discussion. The text seeks to make them identifiable; any further regulation will be decided in the amendments.
Which law does the bill amend?
Law 19,496 on consumer rights protection.
