5 min
As of 31 January 2025, the Stop Ads List has been added to the official register of advertising opt-out systems recognised by the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD). If you run direct marketing campaigns or work in a contact centre, this will have a direct impact on the way you work.
This new system requires companies to check whether a contact is on the List before sending a commercial message. The good news? With Outbound by Enreach, our telemarketing software automatically detects if a number is blacklisted and excludes it from your campaign.
In this article, we explain exactly what the Stop Ads List is, how it differs from the Robinson List and what you need to do to adapt your campaigns and systems – without complicating things.
1. WHAT IS THE STOP ADVERTISING LIST?
The Stop Advertising List is an opt-out system that allows anyone to register and stop receiving commercial communications. It’s free, easy to use and works across multiple channels: phone, email, SMS, direct mail and social media.
WHAT IS IT FOR?
- To protect people’s privacy.
Reduce spam and intrusive advertising.
Give people more control over what they receive.
To help companies run more transparent and respectful campaigns.
If you’re running direct marketing campaigns in Spain, you’re legally required to check this list before contacting someone. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to €20 million or 4% of your annual global turnover.
WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO BE APPROVED?
The AEPD rejected the list three times in 2024 because the initiative’s website was linked to private services, which is contrary to the neutrality expected of this type of system.
Finally, after several adjustments, the list was officially published at the beginning of this year, but with conditions: if it does not serve its purpose, the listing could be withdrawn.
2. LAWS REGULATING ADVERTISING OPPOSITION LISTS
These opt-out advertising lists are regulated by two main Spanish laws:
- Organic Law 3/2018 on the Protection of Personal Data and Guarantee of Digital Rights (LOPDGDD), which specifically regulates the use of such lists in Article 23.
- Law 11/2022 on General Telecommunications, which prohibits unsolicited marketing calls without prior consent in Article 66.1.
Both laws make it clear that if you carry out lead generation campaigns, you must check the opt-out lists published by the AEPD.
3. ROBINSON LIST VS. STOP ADVERTISING LIST
Both lists are complementary. So if you’re planning a campaign, you need to check both. One doesn’t replace the other.
4. HOW THE STOP ADVERTISING LIST AFFECTS CONTACT CENTRES
Now that the new list is in place, you’ll need to review how you manage your processes. Here’s what you need to know:
1. CHECK BOTH LISTS BEFORE MAKING CONTACT
Before you make a call or send an email, you need to make sure that the contact is not on either of the two opt-out lists. This applies whether you’re using your own data or someone else’s list.
2. AUTOMATE TO AVOID ERRORS
When you use our telemarketing software, we make it easy for you: simply upload a file of your contacts and our system will automatically check for matches against your blacklist or any opt-out list.
The result? Those contacts won’t be uploaded to the campaign, so you won’t be contacting people who have opted out. You stay compliant from step one – with no hassle.
3. GET CONSENT BY CHANNEL
It’s not enough to get a general “yes” from the user. You need to know which channel they’ve agreed to (email, phone, WhatsApp, etc.). And if they change their mind, you need to give them an easy way to unsubscribe.
4. TRAIN YOUR TEAM
Your team needs to understand what the opt-out list is, how it works and why it’s important. This will not only help with compliance – it will also improve the customer experience.
5. INDUSTRY RESPONSE: QUESTIONS, COSTS AND CONFUSION
The creation of this list hasn’t gone unnoticed. The AEERC (Spanish Association of Customer Relationship Experts) has expressed concern, and not without reason:
- The Robinson list already exists. Is a second list really necessary?
Having to check two lists means higher costs and more complexity.
It increases the risk of errors and penalties.
It can cause confusion for users who don’t know which list they are on.
The AEPD has left the door open to reviewing the operation of the list in the future. For now, it’s officially published – and it must be respected.
6. BEST PRACTICES TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
Compliance not only protects you legally – it also improves your brand image and customer confidence. Here are some simple but essential tips:
- Always review both opt-out lists before launching a campaign.
Clearly document the channels to which each user has consented.
Provide an easy and quick way to unsubscribe.
Automate opt-out management in your campaign platform.
Train your agents. - Stay informed of AEPD updates and regulatory changes.
7. IN SUMMARY: BEYOND COMPLIANCE, AN OPPORTUNITY
The Stop Advertising List is changing the rules – but it’s also a real opportunity to run better, more targeted campaigns.
If you’re working with clean data, targeting a well-defined buyer persona and only reaching users who have actively consented, your results will improve.
And if you’re using a platform that helps you follow these rules effortlessly, it’s even easier.
With our telemarketing campaign platform, Outbound by Enreach, you’ll find a dedicated privacy management section. Here you can upload blacklist files (.csv) and set how long personal data should be stored, helping you to stay fully compliant with GDPR.
Because responsible marketing is possible, easier than it seems – and better for everyone.
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