Political parties warned against buying voters’ contact details ahead of elections

By Thapelo Molefe

The Information Regulator has warned political parties that they cannot buy voters’ contact details or share them with third parties for micro-targeting without their consent, as parties prepare for the upcoming local government elections.

Information Regulator chairperson Advocate Pansy Tlakula issued the warning during the launch of the National Opt-Out Registry by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau on Wednesday.

The issue was raised during the briefing after questions were asked about whether the new opt-out system would apply to political campaigning and how political parties would be affected by the regulations.

National Consumer Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said political parties contacting potential voters to communicate their political messages would generally not fall under the direct marketing provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.

“Our view is it is not,” Ratshisusu said when asked whether political campaigning constituted direct marketing.

He said political parties could contact voters about