Portuguese regulator fines Vodafone over advertising changes
July 31, 2026 11.38 Europe/London By Julian Clover


Portugal’s communications regulator ANACOM has fined Vodafone €160,000 for changing the terms of hundreds of thousands of customer contracts without providing the legally required notice.

The regulator said Vodafone introduced mandatory advertising into its automatic TV recording feature for around 449,000 subscribers without giving customers at least 30 days’ written notice or informing them of their right to cancel their contracts free of charge if they did not accept the changes.

ANACOM said the case related to rules under the previous Electronic Communications Law. Current legislation continues to require providers to notify customers of contractual changes in a clear and durable format at least one month in advance, including details of any right to terminate the agreement without penalty.

The regulator said it would continue to monitor operators’ compliance with consumer protection rules covering contract amendments.

Vodafone has appealed the decision to Portugal’s Competition, Regulation and Supervision Court.