The legality of using a Portugal phone number list hinges entirely on how you acquired the list and how you intend to use it. Simply having a list isn't illegal, but using it, especially for marketing purposes, involves strict regulations.
The primary legal framework governing data use in Portugal is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which applies across the European Union. This regulation imposes stringent requirements on handling personal data, and phone numbers are considered personal data.
Key GDPR principles you must adhere to:
Consent: You generally need explicit, unambiguous consent from individuals portugal phone number list before you can contact them, particularly for marketing. This means they must have actively opted-in, often through a clear checkbox they ticked, and they must be informed about what they are consenting to. Using numbers without this consent is illegal.
Lawful Basis: You must have a lawful basis for processing the data. Consent is one basis, but others (like contractual necessity or legitimate interest) have specific conditions and may not be suitable for marketing calls.
Data Source: How did you get the list? Purchasing lists is often problematic. If the data was scraped from the web or obtained without individuals' knowledge or consent, using it is illegal. Even if purchased, you might inherit liability if the original collector didn't obtain consent.
Purpose Limitation: You can only use the data for the specific purpose for which consent was given.
Right to Withdraw Consent & Opt-Out: Individuals have the right to withdraw their consent at any time and must be able to easily opt-out of communications (e.g., via an 'unsubscribe' mechanism or by dialing a specific number like 220).
Data Minimisation: Only collect and use the data you actually need.
In summary: Using a Portugal phone number list for marketing or other communications is highly likely to be illegal unless you have clear, documented consent from each individual on the list obtained in compliance with GDPR. Ignoring these rules can lead to significant fines and legal action. Always ensure your data practices are transparent, ethical, and fully compliant with GDPR.