South Africans get new way to block spam

South Africans now have a new tool to help stop unwanted marketing calls, SMSes and other electronic messages.

The National Opt-Out Registry was officially launched on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, giving consumers a central platform to block direct marketers.

According to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, the registry is aimed at strengthening consumers’ existing rights under the Consumer Protection Act.

Tau said South Africans are already becoming more cautious about answering unknown calls. He said the share of spam calls answered by consumers dropped from 10.2% in the first half of 2025 to 7.8% this year.

However, he warned that scam and marketing networks are becoming more sophisticated, including through spoofing and artificial intelligence.

How the National Opt-Out Registry works

According to Tau, consumers can register through the National Consumer Commission’s website and block a specific direct marketer across the industry.

Once a block is registered, the marketer must remove the consumer from its marketing lists.

This applies even where the person previously agreed to receive marketing messages, including consent contained in older contracts.

Consumers who continue receiving unwanted marketing after opting out can report the business to the National Consumer Commission.

To register online, consumers need a valid email address, their ID number and their names as they appear on their identity document.

The NCC will verify the information before activating the profile. Consumers can then log in and register or amend their opt-out preferences.

People without email addresses can contact the NCC’s contact centre to have a profile created.

New rules for direct marketers

The registry does not ban direct marketing.

Tau said direct marketing remains a legitimate business activity that supports jobs, particularly in South Africa’s call centre and global business services industries.

However, businesses must follow new compliance requirements.

According to the NCC, direct marketers must register annually and check their contact lists against the registry every month before launching campaigns.

Marketing communications must also be traceable and include the marketer’s name, address and contact number.

Companies that fail to comply may be referred to the National Consumer Tribunal. Penalties could reach R1 million or 10% of annual turnover.

Tau said full enforcement is expected from 15 April 2027, giving businesses time to adjust their systems before penalties are applied.