It a source of frustration and irritation for many South Africans: an annoying marketing phone call from a “private number” trying to sell you an upgraded cell phone plan or insurance package. And even after declining the offer politely, a persistent agent forces you to hang up, leaving you to wonder how on earth they got your number in the first place. Well, this is the world of telemarketing, where companies make it their business to compile databases containing the personal information of hundreds and thousands of people. This information is