The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a UK opt-out telephone list that is intended to prevent telemarketing calls to those who do not wish to receive them. The list is administered on behalf of Ofcom by the British direct marketing industry, who also run the Mailing Preference Service and Fax Preference Service. In 2005, the BBC reported that there were 10.5 million numbers registered.[1]
The TPS should not be confused with the Government Telephone Preference Scheme which refers exclusively to the system used by the General Post Office since 1952 and later BT to keep selected telephones operating during wartime when access to the telephone system by the general public would be denied.
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Residential users have been able to register on the list since May 1999 under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999. The list has statutory force under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. From 25 June 2004 corporate subscribers were also allowed to register on the list under Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2004
Companies can still contact their own customers regardless of TPS to offer new products and services so long as the customer has "already notified you that they do not object to receiving such calls" [1]. Genuine market research (from companies like Ipsos MORI and RCU) are also allowed and calls from overseas made by overseas companies on their own account cannot be controlled by registering with the TPS. Individuals and businesses may opt out on a case-by-case basis by objecting to these types of organisations directly. Unlike its foreign counterparts, TPS does not exempt charities, religious organisations and political parties.
Once a number is registered it may take up to 28 days to become fully effective. Then, it is unlawful for telemarketers to call a number on the list. The TPS has no enforcement power, so all complaints are passed on to the Information Commissioner's Office. The maximum penalty is currently £5,000. However, there have been no prosecutions undertaken as the legislation does not allow for prosecutions.