The National Consumer Commission (NCC) of South Africa has introduced a registry that allows consumers to opt-out of receiving unsolicited direct marketing phone calls, SMS texts, and other electronic communication. This move aims to curb the alarming number of spam calls and messages received by South Africans. According to data from Truecaller, a popular mobile application used to identify unknown incoming calls and block unwanted communications, South Africans received 17.47 billion spam calls between January and June.
The number of spam calls in South Africa has seen a significant increase of 25.2% over the first half of 2025, with the country now ranking ninth in the world for spam call intensity. Close to 30% of calls from unknown numbers are classified as fraudulent or spam. Trade, industry, and competition minister Parks Tau stated that South Africans continue to be targeted at an alarming scale, with millions of Africans experiencing unwanted calls daily.
Minister Tau emphasized that while alertness is crucial, it cannot substitute for a proper regulatory backstop. Scam and marketing networks are becoming more sophisticated, using spoofing and artificial intelligence to target consumers. The national opt-out registry is designed to address this issue by empowering the NCC to administer the system, which places an obligation on direct marketers to register and cleanse their lists monthly.
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) amendment regulations have been gazetted, giving the NCC the authority to manage the National Opt-Out Registry. Direct marketers will be required to register on the system and ensure that their lists are updated monthly to avoid contacting consumers who have blocked them. The registry will be phased in, allowing direct marketers and consumers to register on the system.
Minister Tau stressed that direct marketing is a legitimate business activity that supports jobs, particularly in the global business services and call centre sector, which employs many young South Africans. However, this sector must grow on the basis of consent and respect. The commission will give direct marketers five months from December to April 2027 to cleanse their lists, and from May, consumers who have registered on the registry will be able to block direct marketers.
The NCC will enforce the law in full from April 15, 2027. Contraventions can be referred to the National Consumer Tribunal, which may impose administrative fines of up to R1-million or 10% of annual turnover, whichever is greater. Minister Tau warned companies that appoint agencies and call centres to market on their behalf to ensure they are registered and compliant.
The introduction of the opt-out registry is a significant step towards protecting consumers from unwanted marketing calls and messages. Direct marketing has been legislatively regulated in South Africa since 2002, and the NCC's efforts aim to strengthen these regulations. The commission had previously announced its plans to augment and complement the system by seeking service providers.
Key points
- South Africa's National Consumer Commission launches opt-out registry to block unwanted marketing calls and SMSes.
- The country received 17.47 billion spam calls between January and June, a 25.2% increase over the first half of 2025.
- The registry will be enforced from April 15, 2027, with contraventions facing fines of up to R1-million or 10% of annual turnover.
