Close to 400,000 numbers registered on Do-Not-Call registry

So far, the PDPC has received two complaints from consumers about unsolicited SMSes. The consumers said they had registered their numbers on the DNC last month but received marketing text messages on Jan 2.

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From today, organisations conducting telemarketing activities are required to check their marketing list with the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry unless they have the individual's clear and unambiguous consent, if the marketing message is exempted, or if an exception applies.

The Do Not Call (DNC) provisions under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) generally prohibits organisations from sending certain marketing messages (in the form of voice calls, text or fax messages) to Singapore telephone numbers, including mobile, fixed-line, residential and business numbers, registered with the DNC Registry.

The DNC Registry, however, does not cover messages sent for other purposes, such as service calls or reminder messages sent by organisations to render services bought by the individual. Messages for pure market survey or research and those that promote charitable or religious causes are also not covered under the DNC provisions. Telemarketing calls or messages of a commercial nature that target businesses are also excluded from the DNC Registry rules.

An organisation that sends any specified message must ensure compliance with the DNC provisions, including the applicable regulations relating to the DNC Registry. In particular, under the DNC provisions, an organisation that sends a specified message addressed to a Singapore telephone number registered with the DNC Registry is guilty of an offence (unless clear and unambiguous consent in written or other accessible form had been given by the user/subscriber).

Go to www.pdpc.gov.sg for more details.