Collecting and storing phone numbers for marketing is a powerful strategy—but it comes with strict legal responsibilities.
To protect your business and respect your users,
you must follow data protection laws and implement proper
consent and storage practices.
In this article, we’ll break down the key steps to for SMS marketing and communication.
1. Get ExCplicit and Informed Consent
You cannot legally send marketing messages to someone who hasn’t given clear and informed consent.
To comply:
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Use opt-in forms that south africa phone number list clearly state what users are signing up for
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Explain what type of messages they’ll receive and how often
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Provide a link to your privacy policy
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Require users to actively agree (e.g., checking a box or replying “YES”)
Consent must never be assumed. Silence or inactivity does not count.
2. Understand Applicable Laws
The legal standards for collecting and storing phone numbers vary depending on your location and audience. Here are key laws to know:
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TCPA (USA): Requires prior express written consent before sending SMS marketing
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GDPR (EU): Requires explicit
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opt-in, data minimization, and clear data usage policies
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PECR (UK): Similar to GDPR, with
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added rules around electronic communications
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CASL (Canada): Requires consent and proof of subscription
Always research your region’s laws and follow them closely.
3. Use Secure and Compliant SMS Platforms
Choose an SMS marketing platform that:
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Follows data protection regulations
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Offers opt-in/opt-out automation
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Keeps an audit trail of subscriber consent
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Encrypts data during transmission and storage
Popular tools like Twilio, Klaviyo, and Postscript offer compliance features to help protect your list.
4. Store Data Securely
Phone numbers are considered building or acquiring a targeted and verified database personal data. You must store them securely to prevent unauthorized access.
Best practices:
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Use encrypted databases or cloud storage
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Limit access to only essential team members
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Regularly update software and monitor for breaches
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Set automatic backups in case of data loss
Also, avoid storing numbers in unprotected spreadsheets or email platforms.
5. Only Collect the Information You Need
Keep your data collection minimal. In most cases, you only need:
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First name (optional for personalization)
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Phone number
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Consent timestamp
Don’t collect sensitive or excessive data unless you have a legitimate, legal reason to do so.
6. Provide Easy Unsubscribe Options
Legally, you must allow users to opt out at any time.
7. Maintain Accurate Consent Records
Keep a record of:
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When and how consent was obtained
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What message or offer was used during sign-up
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The IP address or device, if available
This documentation is crucial if your business ever faces a legal inquiry or complaint.
8. Honor Data Requests Promptly
Under data protection laws, users can request:
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Access to the data you’ve stored about them
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Deletion of their information
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Updates or corrections
Respond to these requests within the legal trust review timeframe (often 30 days) and make the process simple and transparent.
Final Thoughts
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building trust. When you legally collect and securely store phone numbers, you’re respecting your audience and setting the foundation for long-term, effective communication. Treat data with care, and your business will benefit from stronger engagement and a better reputation.