Government cracks down on spam calls – here’s how to opt out

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says there will be zero tolerance for companies that fail to play by the rules as government clamps down on spam calls.

Tau made the comments following the launch of the National Opt-Out Registry, which gives South African consumers a free, government-administered way to stop unsolicited communications from telemarketers.

Listen/read: Government steps up interventions on 17bn spam calls

This includes unwanted direct marketing calls, SMSes and other electronic communications.

The registry, managed by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), places an obligation on direct marketers to register on the system and cleanse their list monthly before running any direct marketing campaign.

This is to ensure that consumers who have blocked a direct marketer do not receive unwanted communications.

According to the rules, direct marketers must also renew their registration every year. An unregistered marketer may not contact consumers for direct marketing purposes. Every communication must be traceable to the marketer and include its name, address and contact number. There will be no hidden numbers or untraceable sources.

“I repeat: compliance is not optional,” Tau said at a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.

“The commission will enforce the law in full. There will be time to comply, so there will be no excuse not to.”

Tau warned that contraventions could 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).

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According to Truecaller’s 2026 South Africa Spam Report, South Africans received 17.47 billion spam calls between January and June 2026, up 25.2% from the same period in 2025.

Spam SMSes increased by 58.9% to 3.71 billion.

This puts South Africa ninth globally for unwanted telemarketing.

Roll-out

The NCC will roll out the registry in two phases.

Phase 1: Registration

The system opened to direct marketers for registration on 15 September and will remain open until December. Failure to register after this period may constitute a contravention of Section 11 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), read with the Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations, 2026.

Phase 2: Cleansing

The NCC will give direct marketers five months, from December 2026 to April 2027, to cleanse their marketing lists at no cost. This period will allow marketers to understand the cleansing process and prepare to interface with the system.

Blocking spam calls

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From May 2027, after the two phases have been completed, consumers who have registered on the Opt-Out Registry will be able to pre-emptively block direct marketers from sending unwanted communications.

“You register on the National Consumer Opt-Out Registry through the National Consumer Commission’s website. You can block a specific direct marketer or opt out across the entire industry,” Tau explained.

This applies even if a consumer previously opted in.

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To register:

Consumers need a valid email address and ID number. Those without email addresses can contact the NCC’s call centre to have their profiles created.
Consumers must use their name or names as they appear on their ID document.
After registration, consumers will receive an email confirming their registration.
An NCC agent will verify the information provided before approving the profile.
Once activated, the consumer will receive another email containing a username and password.
Consumers can then log in and register their pre-emptive block, or opt out.
Personal information can be updated when necessary.
Consumers can amend their pre-emptive block options at any time.
Changes will take effect 30 days after they are registered.
Non-South African residents living in South Africa can also register.

A grace period of up to 30 days will be allowed before amended details are updated.

Marketers that continue contacting consumers after a block has been placed can be reported to the commission through the portal.

Tau reiterated that the crackdown is not an attack on the marketing industry.

“This is not a ban on direct marketing. Direct marketing is a legitimate business activity. It supports jobs, including our global business services and call centre sector, which employs many young South Africans.

“We want this sector to grow, we support this sector to grow, but it must grow on the basis of consent and respect.”

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