Vodacom continues to violate consumer privacy rights and laws

After the previous complaint 'resolution' on the 19th April - we are now receiving even more Vodacom popups subscription ads on our phone. We have repeatedly attempted to unsubscribe / cancel all pop-ups from Vodacom; after each attempt we receive an sms saying "You have requested to stop all Vodacom subscription services - you will soon receive a confirmation sms confirming that you have been unsubscribed from all services. It is now two days later and after numerous further attempts - we are still waiting for Vodacom's confirmation sms. Needless to say we are still receiving pop ads.

Based on thousands of identical complaints on numerous social media sites dating back over a decade (!), it is clear Vodacom uses this process to deduct airtime from their customers under the guise that their customers subscribed to these services.

According to the consumer protection act, the electronic communications act and POPIA all companies must a working unsubscribe option in their communications and are not legally allowed to send unsolicited marketing communications (email and sms or any other electronic channel). Vodacom's unsubscribe option is not working as indicated in numerous previous complaints - Vodacom is therefore breaking the above SA consumer protection laws.

Referring to your response to my previous complaint on the 18th April. Please note that publishing private customer cell numbers on a public website is a breach of the SA consumer privacy act.

Accordingly we will now take this matter up with the: National Consumer Commission (NCC) Direct Marketing Association of Southern Africa (DMASA) Wireless Application Service Providers' Association ICASA

Vodacom are fully aware that they are violating consumer privacy and consumer rights and clearly believe they can continue with impunity. This also indicates that some of the regulating bodies are almost certainly complicit in Vodacom's (and other cell operators) actions.