Telephone Preference Services (TPS)
The Telephone Preference Services (TPS) is a database containing the mobile and landline telephone numbers of individuals who have opted out of receiving marketing calls. As of June 2024, over 17 million people have registered their preferences with this service. Compliance with TPS regulations is mandatory, and companies that fail to comply to these guidelines may face substantial fines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Introduction
What it is:
The Telephone Preference Services (TPS) is a central registry containing mobile and landline numbers for individuals and businesses who wish to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls. It is an essential resource for businesses to avoid contacting individuals who do not wish to receive such calls.
The specific data available within the TPS file typically includes:
Full Name: The complete name of the individual who has registered.
Landline Number: The landline telephone number(s) that the individual has registered.
Mobile Number: The mobile telephone number(s) that the individual has registered (if applicable).
Date of Registration: The date when the individual registered their number(s) with the TPS.
Legal Compliance
Relevant Regulations:
The TPS file ensures companies comply with both the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. It is important for businesses to respect an individual’s preferences to avoid potential complaints and maintain consumer trust. Failure to adhere with CTPS guidelines can lead to complaints being raised with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and in some cases, companies could face substantial fines.
Compliance Benefits:
By using the TPS file, companies ensure they do not breach PECR and DPA regulations, thus avoiding potential fines and legal issues. This also improves brand reputation by respecting consumer privacy preferences.
Benefits for Businesses
Operational Benefits:
Utilising the TPS file improves data accuracy as it identifies and suppresses telephone numbers that should not be contacted for marketing purposes.
Reputational Benefits:
Respecting consumer preferences aids a business to maintain a positive brand image and builds trust with current and potential customers.
Financial Benefits:
By avoiding fines from non-compliance and improving the targeting of marketing campaigns, companies can see an improved ROI and decreased operational costs.
Data Collection
Sources of Information:
The TPS data is administered by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and is collated from registrations by individuals directly with the TPS service.
Data Accuracy and Updates:
The TPS data is updated frequently, six days a week, to ensure the data available is accurate and relevant. New registrations are processed swiftly and added to the database, providing companies with the most up-to-date information available.
Application and Usage
Use Cases:
Companies utilise the TPS file to cleanse their marketing contact lists, so they do not call numbers registered on the TPS. This is vital for telemarketing campaigns. For companies primarily contacting consumers for sales and marketing purposes, screening against the TPS file is sufficient. However, if you are targeting business numbers, it is essential to cleanse your data against both the TPS and Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) files. For further details on CTPS, please refer to our CTPS information page.
Implementation:
Businesses can integrate the TPS data into their CRM systems or use it as part of their data cleansing services to routinely check and update their contact lists.
If you wish to register your number on the TPS to avoid unsolicited sales calls, please visit the Telephone Preference Service website. The TPS allows individuals, including consumers, sole traders, and (except in Scotland) partnerships, to register their objection to receiving direct marketing calls.
