Indeed. The acquisition and utilization of a phone number list in saudi arabia. Especially one in such a big count as 3 million entries. Are surrounded by various legal. Regulatory. And ethical considerations. Indeed. With the exponential development and regulation in the fields of data privacy and the practice of telecommunication within saudi arabia. Businesses operating within its borders must work towards compliance with relevant laws to avoid penalties. Reputation damage. And ultimately loss of consumer trust.
Legal and regulatory environment in saudi arabia
While saudi arabia does not have a data protection law Saudi Arabia Phone Number Lists similar to europe’s general data protection regulation. It has provided certain regulations and instructions that involve the collection and processing of personal data. Such as a phone number. The sdaia is important in terms of regulating data privacy within the kingdom. Especially with the growing focus on digital transformation and using technology to manage personal information.
1. Saudi personal data protection law (pdpl)
Saudi arabia promulgated its personal data protection law in march of 2022. It is the first comprehensive data privacy law for the country and. As such. Includes the best practices of various international laws on data protection. Including the gdpr. Below are some portions of the law applicable to using phone number lists:
Consent: one of the primary philosophies
of the pdpl is businesses should acquire explicit consent before collecting or processing the personal information of any person. This again extends to consent for collecting a phone number for marketing and communication-related purposes.
Data processing: personal data shall be processed by a company only in accordance with specific. Legitimate purposes and should not be processed in any manner incompatible with the purpose for which it has been collected. As an example. A phone number. If utilized for either marketing or customer outreach. Requires explicit consent of the person and shall not be put to any use other than what has been consented to by that person.
Data subject rights: the pdpl
Provides various rights to data subjects. Such as the right to access their Buy Email Database List information. Rectify any inaccuracies. And demand the erasure of their personal data. Consequently. This means an organization should provide the means for effecting these rights.
Data protection and security: the appropriate level of technical and organizational measures shall be implemented by a company to ensure protection of the personal data processed. Including phone numbers. Against unauthorized or unlawful processing. Its accidental loss. Destruction. Or damage.
In saudi arabia. It has also imposed some strict regulations concerning telemarketing. This is so that consumers can be protected against unwanted or nagging marketing calls. Which could raise a question when dealing with big lists of telephone numbers.
National do not call registry
similarly. Saudi arabia’s tra or citc is involved in the regulation of telecommunication practices. Inclusive of telemarketing. It has developed a ‘do not call’ registry that could opt out individuals from unsolicited marketing calls. Every business has to check this list prior to making any call to ensure that it does not call prospects that might have opted out of such calls.
Consent to marketing communications: among others. The pdpl requires businesses to obtain an advance consent from any person before sending marketing messages to them. This presupposes that the phone numbers for marketing purposes have to be collected on a permission basis; these can include opt-in forms. Customer sign-ups. Or through various legitimate service-related interactions.
Opt-out: saudi law requires an easy opt-out from future marketing calls or Bulk Database messages. And it needs to be provided by the business. In other words. Every marketing contact needs to provide the un-subscription or opting-out options of receiving further messages.
Risks involved in using purchased phone number lists
Buying a 3 million phone number list for marketing or outreach in saudi arabia can pose a number of risks. Especially if it has been bought instead of naturally generated. These can be associated with causing legal. Reputational. And operational problems for businesses in the following ways:
1. Legal consequences
The pdpl sets serious legal penalties for the processing of personal data without consent or in breach of the regulations concerning the processing of data. Where a business has been found in breach. There could be significant issuance of fines or penalties-in fact. Reaching as high as sar 5 million or approximately usd 1.33 million-for failure to comply with the laws on data protection.
