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Unwanted advertising despite objection? How to stop it

Despite unsubscribing, advertising emails keep landing in your inbox, the phone rings with advertising calls or the mailbox overflows? You have a right for advertising to you to stop, and you can enforce it.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Prohibit the advertising

Your chances of getting your money back

You can object at any time to the use of your data for direct advertising (Art. 21 DSGVO); after that the advertising must stop. Advertising emails and advertising calls without your consent are unlawful anyway (§ 7 UWG).
If the company does not react, you can demand that it cease. You can additionally report unlawful telephone advertising to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Document your objection

    Record when and how you objected. Collect proof of the further advertising contacts.

  2. 2

    2. Demand that it cease

    Ask the company in writing to cease all advertising to you and to block your data for this purpose, with a deadline.

  3. 3

    3. Supervisory authority / Federal Network Agency

    For persistent violations you can complain to the data protection supervisory authority; report unlawful advertising calls to the Federal Network Agency.

  4. 4

    4. If it recurs

    If the advertising continues, a cease-and-desist claim and possibly further steps come into consideration.

Frequently asked questions

Is a company allowed to keep sending me advertising despite my objection?

No. If you object to direct advertising (Art. 21 DSGVO), it must stop. Advertising emails and advertising calls without your prior consent are moreover unlawful under § 7 UWG, regardless of the objection.

What can I do about advertising calls?

Unlawful advertising calls (cold calls) are prohibited. Ask the company to cease and report the violation to the Federal Network Agency; it can impose fines. Note the date, time and the phone number.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.