How do I stop spam texts and marketing I never signed up for?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
You have a right to object. Under the Data Privacy Act and its Implementing Rules (IRR Rule VIII §34(b)), a data subject may object to processing for direct marketing — and that objection is absolute: once you object, the company must stop and can no longer use your data for marketing without fresh consent. The NPC holds that contact details collected for one purpose (like signing up for a service) cannot be reused for marketing without your separate, informed consent. Reply with the opt-out keyword (e.g., STOP), send a written objection to the sender's Data Protection Officer, and if it continues, file a complaint with the NPC.
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Frequently asked
Do I have to give a reason to opt out of marketing?
No. The right to object to direct marketing is absolute — you don't have to justify it. Once you say stop, the company must cease marketing to you and cannot resume without your fresh, separate consent.
The texts come from an unknown lender or scammer — what then?
If they harvested your number without consent, that is unlawful processing you can report to the NPC. For loan and scam spam you can also report the numbers to your telco and to the NTC, and flag scams to the authorities; keep screenshots showing the number, date, and content.
What should my written objection say?
Address it to the sender's Data Protection Officer, state that you object to all processing of your data for direct marketing under the DPA, demand deletion of your contact details from their marketing lists, and keep dated proof. If they ignore it, that refusal strengthens your NPC complaint.
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