# comments - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/opt-out-registry/comments/ - Published: 2026-10-02T16:21:12+02:00 - Author: dearSA _Advert_ _Advert – scroll down_ Displaying the **5** latest comments. [ view more ...](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/opt-out-registry/comments2/) | Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message | | 2026-11-12 08:16:08 +02:00 | Corli | Not fully | Political Party Loophole | | | | 2026-11-11 11:31:52 +02:00 | Ashley | Not fully | Undermining Express Consent | | Exceptions for express consent or the ability for users to selectively allow an organization in on the portal in an exclusions list while maintaining a blanket block on all others would be preferable. Political Parties & NGO's should not be except; but as options for the consumer to block as a category.Querying the database for cleansing should not incur a charge per blocked record, which is too much a burden on SMMEs / NGOs;Funding should come from an affordable base subscription. | | 2026-11-10 15:37:02 +02:00 | Tegan | No I do not | All of the above | Political Party Loophole | | | 2026-11-10 15:08:20 +02:00 | Righard | Not fully | All of the above | Penalising Non-Profits & Charities | I support the introduction of a National Opt-Out Registry to protect South Africans from unwanted marketing calls, SMSs and spam. However, the regulations should apply equally to everyone, including political parties, without exemptions. Small businesses and non-profit organisations should not face unnecessary costs or administrative burdens. Consumers deserve the right to privacy and control over unsolicited communications, but the system must be fair, affordable and practical for everyone. | | 2026-11-10 07:21:44 +02:00 | Justin | Not fully | All of the above | Excessive Costs & Monthly Red-Tape for SMMEs | Supports establishing a binding national opt-out registry to halt nuisance marketing calls, but demands the removal of political party exemptions, complete fee exemptions for registered NPOs and community charities, lighter compliance burdens for SMMEs, and the protection of voluntary, direct consumer opt-ins | [🟢 Arguments in Favour (NCC & Proponents)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/opt-out-registry/comments/#1770892117175-dfc38055-c8382881-c408f6e5-a1ae) - _Statutory Opt-Out Registry_ Replaces the voluntary, toothless industry list with a centralised, state-administered statutory registry with real enforcement powers. - _Enforcement & Penalties_ Enforces accountability by backing registry blocks with National Consumer Tribunal administrative fines and criminal penalties of up to 12 months imprisonment. - _12-Cent Cleansing Fee_ Shifts the operational cost of privacy protection onto commercial direct marketers who profit from consumer databases, sparing taxpayers. - _Political Campaigning_ Political participation and democratic canvassing are constitutionally protected activities distinct from commercial sales pitches. - _NPO / Charity Inclusion_ Financial solicitations are invasive regardless of who initiates them; consumers deserve protection from aggressive donation requests. - _Fresh Consent Restrictions_ Prevents unscrupulous corporate marketers from tricking consumers into signing away their opt-out block via buried contract clauses. [🔴 Arguments in Opposition (Civil Society & Critics)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/opt-out-registry/comments/#1770892117205-3c7c32e1-ce3d2881-c408f6e5-a1ae) - _Statutory Opt-Out Registry_ South Africa already enacted an opt-in model under POPIA Section 69; introducing a parallel CPA opt-out mechanism creates legal ambiguity and administrative conflict. - _Enforcement & Penalties_ Threatening small business owners with criminal records and prison sentences over administrative marketing list errors is disproportionate and heavy-handed. - _12-Cent Cleansing Fee_ Imposes an ongoing, compounding monthly financial drain on small businesses and non-profits that lack the budgets of massive corporations. - _Political Campaigning_ Carves out a self-serving loophole for politicians to inundate citizens’ phones during election cycles while everyday citizens cannot opt out. - _NPO / Charity Inclusion_ Starves community non-profits by treating charitable funding appeals identically to predatory corporate telemarketing schemes. - _Fresh Consent Restrictions_ Paternalistically invalidates a citizen’s explicit decision to subscribe to updates from a specific brand or local business. [ have your say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/opt-out-registry/#havasay)