The advertising exclusion systems sector in Spain has undergone a historic change with the launch of the Stop Advertising List, a tool that ends the more than 15-year monopoly of the Robinson List. This new initiative, driven by the Spanish Association for Digital Privacy (AEPD) and endorsed by the Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD), offers citizens an innovative and effective alternative to prevent the sending of unwanted commercial communications.
The End of a Monopoly
Since its creation in 2009, the Robinson List, managed by the Spanish Association of Digital Economy (Adigital), has been the only option available for citizens to protect themselves from commercial harassment. While this service has been free for users, companies conducting advertising campaigns have been required to consult it and pay for its use. However, the arrival of the Stop Advertising List has put an end to this monopoly, offering a more comprehensive alternative tailored to current needs.
The Stop Advertising List not only allows users to block advertising in traditional channels such as postal mail, phone, or email, but it also includes social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, among others) and messaging applications like WhatsApp. This novelty makes it a more versatile tool suitable for an increasingly digital world.
What Does the Stop Advertising List Offer?
The Stop Advertising List is presented as a comprehensive solution for those who wish to avoid spam. Among its most notable features are:
- Complete Free Service: Like the Robinson List, it is a free service for citizens.
- Wide Coverage: It allows users to block advertising across multiple channels, including social networks and messaging applications.
- Customization: Registrants can choose which sectors they want to exclude from commercial communications.
- Flexibility: It is possible to register multiple phone numbers, email addresses, or social media profiles, as well as modify or cancel registration at any time.
Additionally, the Stop Advertising List includes an innovative option: the registration of deceased persons by representation, something that the Robinson List does not offer.
A Backing with Obstacles
The creation of the Stop Advertising List has not been an easy path. The initiative’s promoters submitted four requests to the AEPD over two years before obtaining approval. The initial requests were rejected for various reasons, including a connection to legal services promoted on the list’s website. After addressing these objections, the AEPD finally included the Stop Advertising List on its official page, alongside the Robinson List, on January 31, 2023.
Impact on the Business Sector
The emergence of the Stop Advertising List poses a challenge for companies that conduct direct marketing campaigns. From now on, these companies will need to consult both lists before sending commercial communications, which entails additional effort and higher costs. According to regulations, both the Robinson List and the Stop Advertising List have an economic cost for companies starting from 30,000 queries, which increases operational expenses in the sector.
However, for citizens, the existence of two advertising exclusion systems is good news. It not only expands the available options but also fosters competition, which could improve the quality and effectiveness of these services for the benefit of users.
A Tool at the Service of Privacy
The Stop Advertising List is an initiative of the Spanish Association for Digital Privacy, a non-profit organization founded in 2019 with the aim of defending citizens’ digital rights and data protection. Its social approach and commitment to privacy distinguish it from the Robinson List, which is managed by an association of entrepreneurs with economic interests in the advertising sector.
Furthermore, the Stop Advertising List allows users to join free of charge, giving them access to additional advantages and benefits without having to pay fees.
A Step Forward in Consumer Protection
The creation of the Stop Advertising List marks a significant advance in the protection of consumer rights. In a world where spam has become a constant nuisance, tools like this allow citizens to exert greater control over the communications they receive.
With the Stop Advertising List, users are no longer subject to the monopoly of the Robinson List. They now have a more comprehensive alternative tailored to their needs, enabling them to block unwanted advertising across virtually any communication channel.
In short, the Stop Advertising List has not only broken the monopoly of the Robinson List but has also set a precedent in the defense of privacy and digital rights in Spain. In a context where invasive advertising continues to be a recurring problem, this tool emerges as an effective and necessary solution to protect citizens from commercial harassment.
References: News on Telephones, Article about the Stop List, AEPD Resolution, Information on the AEPD website.