NCC launches opt-out registry as South Africa records 17.47bn estimated spam calls

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) in South Africa has introduced a new opt-out registry to help consumers block unwanted marketing calls and messages. This initiative follows a sharp rise in spam calls and messages, with Truecaller's 2026 South Africa Spam Report revealing 17.47 billion spam calls in the first half of 2026 – a 25.2% increase from the same period last year, and a 58.9% rise in spam SMS messages to 3.71 billion.

The launch of the National Opt-Out Registry is a response to Section 11.3 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which grants consumers the legal right to pre-emptively block unwanted direct marketing, but which has been largely ineffective due to the lack of a central registry. The registry will only be available for consumers to use from May 2027, after businesses have had six months to register and prepare their marketing databases.

The Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, emphasized that the registry aims to bridge the gap between consumers' legal rights and their ability to exercise them, preventing a decline in consumer confidence that has been exacerbated by sophisticated scamming techniques. While the registry is not intended to ban direct marketing – which supports jobs in the call centre and global business services sectors – it will ensure businesses honor consumers' preferences.

The NCC's acting commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu, described the launch as a significant step towards protecting consumers from persistent unsolicited marketing, noting it will promote responsible direct marketing. The registry will be rolled out in two phases, starting with businesses, followed by consumer use. Direct marketers can register from September 15, 2026, with a deadline of December for compliance.

From December 2026 to April 2027, businesses will have five months to clean their marketing lists against the registry at no cost, giving them time to adjust their systems and remove opted-out consumers before launching campaigns. From May 2027, consumers will be able to pre-emptively block marketers. Companies will be required to renew their registration annually and verify their contact lists monthly.

Contraventions of the registry's rules could result in administrative fines of up to R1 million or 10% of a company's annual turnover, whichever is higher. The NCC has launched a public education campaign to encourage both consumers and marketers to register. The Information Regulator chairperson, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, stressed that the registry will promote responsible marketing and enforce legal obligations on businesses.