South Africa: New Opt-Out Registry for Marketers to Be Enforced

On December 14, 2026, South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) officially launched the National Opt-Out Registry, a long-awaited system designed to empower consumers to block unwanted direct marketing communications. This initiative, first mooted 16 years ago and initially proposed under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in 2008, aims to provide South Africans with a single, free mechanism to opt out of unsolicited calls, SMSes, emails, and other electronic communications. Minister Parks Tau highlighted the previous lack of a central registry, forcing consumers to individually chase marketers, a problem the new system seeks to resolve. Direct marketing companies have been able to register since September 15, 2026, and have a five-month grace period from December 2026 to cleanse their marketing lists at the NCC’s cost before full enforcement commences on April 15, 2027. Consumers will gain the ability to block unwanted marketing from May 2027.