From The Star Team
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, as it’s known in Spanish) has sought information from four businesses purportedly involved in discriminatory commercial practices against consumers in Puerto Rico, announced Interim DACO Secretary Francisco González de la Matta on Thursday.
The companies under scrutiny are Dyson, Paypal, JBL, and Mastercard. This latest round of inquiries is in addition to prior actions by DACO with other multinational corporations to ensure fair and just treatment for consumers on the island.
“These requests for information are essential in our strategy to address commercial discrimination,” stated González de la Matta. “Through these inquiries, we aim to make sure that multinational corporations adhere to regulations that provide fair treatment for consumers in Puerto Rico. It is intolerable that geographic restrictions exist that prevent Puerto Ricans from accessing goods or services that should be freely available.”
In the initial two rounds of information requests, DACO has already sought data from eight companies, including Apple, Yeti, Microsoft, TikTok, Samsung, Sony, H&M, and Nike. To date, all companies have replied, although Yeti, Nike, and Sony responded late, which will result in fines ranging from $10,000 to $30,000. Additionally, Apple, TikTok, Samsung, and Nike have been given extra time to submit the required information.
“The goal of these requests is straightforward: to ensure that consumers in Puerto Rico face no discrimination in obtaining goods and services,” added González de la Matta, who is a lawyer. “We not only insist on compliance, but we are also receiving proactive outreach from businesses eager to collaborate and explore solutions, so I am confident that this initiative will yield outcomes favorable for consumers on the island.”
The four companies recently targeted for information have 10 days to provide their responses. Noncompliance could result in penalties of $10,000 per day. In September, González de la Matta reactivated the Office of Commercial Anti-Discrimination, and up to now, 12 companies have been mandated to furnish data related to discriminatory commercial practices against consumers in the island.
