COME January 2 next year, consumers can start adding their phone
numbers to the national Do-Not-Call registry to avoid getting calls
and messages from telemarketers.
The Government-funded registry is a key part of the new Data
Protection Bill, which became law on Jan 2 this year. The law aims
to protect personal information from being stolen or
indiscriminately collected and used for marketing purposes.
From next year, consumers will be able to opt out of telemarketing
calls, faxes, as well as short message service (SMS) and multimedia
messaging service (MMS) messages. The Do-Not-Call framework also
covers messages sent via instant messaging apps - with the most
widely used being WhatsApp.
"From the businesses' perspective, technological advances have
given insights into customers' needs, wants and behaviour.
Businesses collect data to deliver personalised services and
customised products," said Minister for Communications and
Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim on Wednesday at the launch of the
Personal Data Protection Commission, which is tasked to enforce the
newly-minted Personal Data Protection Act.