Consent: Processing of personal data is considered legitimate only with consent from the data subject. This requirement is crucial for unsolicited direct marketing. The law also gives individuals the right to oppose the processing of their personal data for prospecting purposes.
Prior Declaration/Authorization to ARTCI: Any processing of personal data must be declared to ARTCI prior to implementation. For sensitive data, which can include national identification numbers (and by extension, linked phone numbers) or transfers to third countries, prior authorization must be obtained from ARTCI.
Data Subject Rights: Individuals have fundamental rights, including the right to obtain their personal data in an understandable form, object to processing for legitimate reasons, and oppose processing for prospecting purposes. Data controllers must comply with requests for access, rectification, opposition, deletion, and erasure of data.
Purpose Limitation and Data Minimization: Personal data must be collected for "specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes" and "not further processed in a way incompatible with these purposes." Data must be "adequate, relevant, and not excessive."
Security and Confidentiality: Data controllers must implement security and confidentiality measures to protect personal data.
Cross-Border Data Transfer: Transfer of personal data to another country is allowed only when that country provides "a higher or equivalent level of protection for privacy, freedoms and fundamental namibia phone number library rights of individuals."
Given this stringent regulatory environment:
No Commercial Bulk Purchase of Personal Lists: Buying or obtaining large lists of personal phone numbers from third parties without verifiable consent trails and proper declaration/authorization from ARTCI is highly risky and likely illegal.
Prior Consent for Direct Marketing: For any direct marketing (calls or SMS) to individuals, explicit, prior consent and adherence to any opt-out mechanisms are essential. Companies must be able to prove consent and compliance if challenged.
B2B vs. B2C Distinction: While corporate contact numbers from public business directories may be used for legitimate B2B outreach, the purpose must be clearly defined, and the recipients must have an easy opt-out mechanism.
Transparency and Opt-Out: Any communication must clearly identify your organization, explain the purpose of the call, and provide a clear and easy mechanism for recipients to pportunities.