Pretoria:South Africans now have the ability to block unwanted direct marketing through the new National Opt-Out Registry, a government platform created by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to limit unsolicited calls, SMS messages, and other electronic communications.
According to South African Government News Agency, the registry enforces Section 11 of the Consumer Protection Act, which allows consumers to block unwanted marketing. This initiative was enabled by the Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations, 2026, introduced by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau. At the registry's launch in Pretoria, Tau highlighted that South Africa ranks ninth globally in spam call intensity, with nearly 30% of calls being classified as spam or fraudulent.
Minister Tau emphasized that consumer alertness is not sufficient to combat sophisticated scam networks, which often use spoofing and AI. The registry aims to provide a significant step in managing direct marketing and curbing spam communications. Tau also noted that the right to privacy is constitutionally guaranteed, and individuals have the right to refuse direct marketing.
The registry allows consumers to opt out of direct marketing for free, requiring marketers to remove registered individuals from their lists. Any contact after registration can be reported to the NCC, aiding in law enforcement. Marketers must register with the registry and renew annually, with non-compliance barring them from contacting consumers.
NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu described the launch as a significant milestone, promoting responsible direct marketing and protecting consumers from unwanted communications. The NCC engaged with over 400 marketers in a webinar to discuss the system's rollout, incorporating their feedback.
Truecaller's 2026 South Africa Spam Report indicated a 25.2% increase in spam calls and a 58.9% rise in spam SMSes, highlighting the registry's necessity. The system requires marketers to register and cleanse their lists monthly, ensuring that blocked consumers do not receive unwanted messages.
The registry's phased introduction began with marketer registration starting on 15 September 2026, continuing until December 2026. The list cleansing phase will run from December 2026 to April 2027. Consumers will gain access to the registry in May 2027 to block unwanted marketing.
The NCC encourages both consumers and marketers to participate in the registration process and plans to implement a consumer education program alongside further guidance.