Customer-initiated conversations: When a customer messages you first on WhatsApp (e.g., for customer support), this implicitly provides consent for you to reply to their specific query. For further marketing messages, you still need explicit opt-in.
Offline Opt-in:
In physical stores, use sign-up forms where customers can explicitly provide their phone number and consent for WhatsApp communication.
b) Illegitimate Acquisition (AVOID AT ALL COSTS):
Scraping: Using software to extract phone numbers from websites, social media, or other online sources.
Buying/renting databases: Acquiring lists of numbers from third-party vendors. These lists are almost always illegally obtained and do not come with valid consent.
Using unofficial WhatsApp tools: Employing third-party software that claims to send bulk messages or extract numbers from WhatsApp groups.
Why illegitimate acquisition is whatsapp number list dangerous (especially in Bangladesh):
Legal Penalties (PDPO 2025): The Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025, in Bangladesh, is stringent. It mandates free, specific, clear, and withdrawable consent for processing personal data. Non-compliance can lead to severe fines and other legal consequences.
WhatsApp Account Ban: WhatsApp has sophisticated systems to detect and ban accounts that engage in spamming, bulk messaging without consent, or use unofficial tools. Your business number can be permanently blocked.
Reputational Damage: Being flagged as a spammer will quickly erode customer trust and damage your brand's reputation.
Ineffectiveness: Unsolicited messages are almost always ignored, deleted, or reported. They do not generate positive ROI.
When legitimately building your list, you might categorize them based on the communication method:
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