Table of Contents
This report provides a comprehensive examination of Dynata, a prominent entity in the market research industry, addressing its operational scope, reasons for consumer contact, data handling practices, and methods for managing unwanted communications.
The analysis aims to clarify Dynata’s role and equip individuals with the knowledge to navigate interactions with the organization effectively.
Introduction: The Mystery Caller Explained
Many individuals have encountered calls from an entity identified as Dynata, often leading to questions regarding its legitimacy and purpose.
It is important to establish from the outset that Dynata is a legitimate market research company, not a scam or a sales operation.1
While their calls are not fraudulent, they can be frequent and, for some, intrusive.1
This report will delve into Dynata’s identity, the rationale behind their outreach, their methods for obtaining contact information, the types of data they collect, and, critically, how individuals can manage or cease these communications, including identifying potential imposter scams.
The immediate clarification of Dynata’s legitimacy is crucial, as it addresses a common underlying concern about unsolicited calls in an environment rife with fraudulent attempts.
This foundational understanding allows for a more receptive exploration of Dynata’s operational details and the practical steps available to consumers.
What is Dynata? A Global Leader in Market Research
Dynata stands as a global leader in the market research sector, recognized for its extensive reach and sophisticated data collection capabilities.
The company operates under its current name, having previously been known as Survey Sampling International (SSI) and Research Now SSI.
Beyond its primary corporate identity, Dynata also manages several well-known consumer survey panels, including SurveySpot, Opinion Outpost, OpinionWorld, and Choozz.2
The core business of Dynata revolves around delivering high-quality first-party data.
This data is utilized by businesses worldwide to derive precise insights, effectively target specific audiences, and confidently measure the impact of their initiatives.4
Dynata aims to simplify market research by offering solutions characterized by speedy data collection, real-time insights, and customizable options.5
Dynata’s services cater to a diverse clientele, powering global business decision-making across various sectors.
Their partners include researchers, brands, media agencies, publishers, pollsters, academics, and consultancies.4
More specifically, they serve private equity firms, consulting firms, investment managers, and venture capitalists, assisting with critical functions such as investment due diligence, strategic advisory services, and market opportunity assessments.5
Notable past clients include major corporations like Nestle, PepsiCo, Spotify, and Starbucks, in addition to various political groups.6
The operational methodology of Dynata primarily involves conducting surveys to gather feedback on current trends and opinions from the general public.1
These surveys are deployed across multiple channels, including online platforms, SMS, and phone calls, leveraging Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) technology.7
Dynata boasts the industry’s largest professional CATI team globally, supported by 2,000 technology-enabled voice stations in call centers worldwide.7
Their expansive network comprises over 70 million verified consumers and business professionals, which underpins their capacity to conduct comprehensive and reliable research.5
The breadth of Dynata’s client base, ranging from consumer brands and political pollsters to private equity and academic institutions, coupled with their emphasis on “first-party data” and “real-time insights,” points to a significant evolution in market research.
This approach moves beyond mere opinion gathering, focusing on providing highly granular, actionable data that directly influences high-stakes business and political decisions.
The demand for such precise information, which can inform investment strategies and mitigate risks, drives Dynata’s comprehensive and rapid data collection services.
This strategic focus positions Dynata not just as a data collector, but as a key enabler of competitive advantage in various industries.
Why Dynata Might Be Calling You
Individuals typically receive calls from Dynata because they fit the demographic profile required for a specific survey being conducted on behalf of one of their clients.2
These surveys are designed to gather feedback from the general public on a wide array of topics, spanning from consumer brand preferences to political viewpoints.1
The methods by which Dynata obtains phone numbers are varied and reflect the pervasive nature of data aggregation in the modern digital economy.
Your number may have been selected as part of a sampling process aimed at securing diverse responses across different demographic groups.3
Dynata sources phone numbers through several channels, including public records, opt-in surveys, and partnerships with other organizations.3
A significant source also includes data brokers, which are entities specializing in compiling and selling personal information.3
Additionally, numbers may be acquired from previous studies in which an individual participated.3
Dynata also collects personally identifiable information (PII) and business contact details from third parties such as information service bureaus, social media platforms, and organizers of industry conferences or events.8
This extensive array of data sourcing methods illustrates that individuals’ contact information is widely available and traded, making it challenging to avoid unsolicited contact entirely without proactive measures.
While Dynata is a legitimate company conducting genuine survey research, their calls are often perceived as annoying due to their frequency, potential length (sometimes exceeding an hour), and the typical absence of compensation for participation.1
This creates a paradox: a legitimate business with a high A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 9 can simultaneously face significant public annoyance and a low customer review rating (1.26 out of 5 stars) on the same platform.6
This divergence suggests that while Dynata may adhere to certain business standards and respond to complaints from a corporate standpoint, the consumer experience of their core service—unsolicited and often lengthy calls—can lead to considerable dissatisfaction.
The frequent calls and perceived lack of compensation or issues with their e-Rewards program directly contribute to this consumer frustration, regardless of the company’s legitimate purpose.10
Your Data and Dynata: What They Collect and Why
Dynata employs a multi-faceted approach to data collection, encompassing information directly provided by individuals, data gathered through automated means, and data acquired from third-party sources.
This comprehensive strategy allows them to build detailed consumer profiles.
When individuals register for an account or participate in a survey, they may be asked to provide Personal Data such as their name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, occupation, education level, and gender.11
A unique panelist or respondent identification number is assigned to each participant.11
Furthermore, individuals may choose to provide sensitive Personal Data, including information related to health conditions, sexual orientation, political opinions, race, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or trade-union membership.
In such cases, explicit consent is obtained where legally required.11
Content like photos and videos may also be collected if voluntarily submitted.11
Beyond direct input, Dynata collects data through automated means.
With explicit consent, they may obtain location information from mobile devices.
This location data is utilized for location-based surveys or to share traffic patterns with clients, such as purchasing behavior linked to visited locations.8
When interacting with Dynata’s services or websites, information is collected via automated technologies like cookies, digital fingerprinting, and watermarking.8
This includes details about the device and its capabilities, operating system, other installed applications, network and internet service provider, time zone, browser type, and referring/exiting pages.8
Access to device functionalities such as push notifications, camera, microphone, or photo library may also be requested and collected if granted.11
This automated data helps Dynata improve its services, assess user engagement, and understand content and product interests.11
Notably, this information can sometimes be used to recognize users across different devices, such as smartphones, computers, or tablets.8
Dynata also enriches its data sets by acquiring Personal Data, behavioral information, and demographic details from various third parties.
These sources include data management platforms, advertising networks, information service bureaus, and sample suppliers.8
This third-party data can encompass age, gender, geographic location, and mobile advertising IDs.8
Such acquired data may be used to send communications to individuals, with an option provided to opt-out of receiving further messages.8
The collected data is primarily used to operate, evaluate, conduct, and enhance Dynata’s business operations.
This includes completing transactions for their products and services, improving existing offerings, developing new solutions, and managing opt-out or unsubscribe requests.8
The data also facilitates the creation and delivery of targeted communications related to an individual’s or company’s interactions with Dynata.8
Dynata’s privacy policy indicates that information may be shared with third-party service providers.
Furthermore, the company reserves the right to transfer information about individuals in the event of a sale or transfer of all or a portion of its business or assets.6
The extensive and multi-layered data collection methods employed by Dynata—combining direct input, automated tracking, and third-party acquisition—point to a sophisticated strategy for building comprehensive consumer profiles.
This approach goes far beyond simple survey responses, suggesting a trend towards hyper-segmentation in market research where clients demand incredibly granular data for highly targeted strategies.
The demand for such precision from clients drives Dynata’s aggressive and multi-faceted data acquisition, enabling them to offer “precise insights” and “audience activation”.4
The ability to recognize users across multiple devices through automated means, coupled with Dynata’s stated policy of sharing data with third parties or during business transfers, highlights significant privacy implications.
Even if an individual successfully opts out of phone calls, their digital footprint, collected via cookies and device information, might still be linked across their various devices and used for internal analysis or shared with other entities.
The clause regarding the transfer of business assets means that personal data could potentially end up under the control of an entirely new organization.
This creates a complex web of data flow that can be challenging for an individual to fully track or control, even with existing opt-out mechanisms.
Dynata’s advanced tracking capabilities and data sharing policies, while consistent with standard business practices, inherently complicate an individual’s ability to achieve comprehensive data privacy and control over their information once it has been collected.
Stopping Unwanted Calls: Your Action Plan
For individuals seeking to stop unwanted calls from Dynata, several actionable steps are available, ranging from direct communication with the company to device-level blocking and leveraging national registries.
The most direct and often effective method is to contact Dynata directly to be placed on their no-contact list.
Dynata provides specific phone numbers for this purpose:
| Action | Region | Phone Number |
| Opt-Out from Survey Calls | North America | 1-833-757-1746 |
| Opt-Out from Survey Calls | Outside N.A. | 1-801-341-0764 |
| Speak About a Call Received | North America | 1-866-360-9678 |
| Speak About a Call Received | Outside N.A. | 1-801-379-4094 |
While direct opt-out is usually effective, some individuals have reported receiving calls even after requesting to be removed from the call list.1
In such instances, or for immediate cessation of calls, blocking Dynata’s numbers directly on a smartphone is a viable alternative.1
On Android devices, this can typically be done by opening the Phone app, tapping the three-dot “More” menu, selecting “Call History,” choosing Dynata’s number, and then tapping “Block / Report Spam.” Alternatively, numbers can be added to a blocked list under Settings > Blocked Numbers.1
For iOS users, the process involves opening the Phone app, navigating to the “Recent” tab, tapping the “i” icon next to Dynata’s call history, and then selecting “Block contact.” Numbers can also be added via the iOS Settings menu under Phone > Blocked Contacts > “Add New…”.1
It is important to note that blocking numbers on a device addresses the call volume but does not enhance data security.1
Another measure is to register a phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov).
This registry is designed to stop legitimate telemarketing calls, including those from companies like Dynata, as businesses face fines from the FTC for contacting numbers on this list.2
However, this registry is generally ineffective against scam or spam calls.2
While Dynata offers direct opt-out mechanisms and device-level blocking is possible, the reported instances of calls persisting after opting out, coupled with the broader difficulty of removing personal data from data brokers, suggest a systemic challenge in fully controlling one’s digital footprint.
This indicates that even with direct action, individuals may face an ongoing effort against the pervasive nature of data collection and sharing in the modern information economy.
Dynata’s reliance on various data sources and its data sharing practices can potentially undermine the effectiveness of a simple opt-out request, leading to persistent unwanted communications.
Spotting the Fakes: How to Identify a Scam Call Posing as Dynata
Given Dynata’s legitimate status and frequent outreach, scammers may impersonate Dynata representatives to defraud individuals by attempting to extract sensitive personal data or sell fraudulent products.1
Recognizing the characteristics of a legitimate Dynata call versus a scam is crucial for personal protection.
A genuine Dynata call will never request highly sensitive personal or financial information.
Specifically, legitimate Dynata representatives will not ask for:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN).1
- Financial information, such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or routing numbers.1
- Logins or passwords for your email or any other online accounts or applications.1
- Any form of payment for taking a survey. Dynata does not sell anything or charge participants for their surveys.1
- Remote access to your phone, computer, or any other electronic device.1
The following table provides a clear comparison to help distinguish between legitimate Dynata calls and scam attempts:
| Category | Legitimate Dynata Will Ask For | Scammers Posing as Dynata Will Ask For |
| Personal Data | Name, email, phone, basic demographics (e.g., age, gender, occupation, education), survey responses 2 | Social Security Number (SSN), other highly sensitive personal identifiers 1 |
| Financial Information | None 1 | Credit card numbers, bank account numbers, routing numbers, payment for surveys 1 |
| Access/Payment | No payment, no device access 1 | Logins/passwords for accounts, remote access to devices, money/payment for services 1 |
| Survey Participation | Will not force or coerce answers; you can decline questions 2 | May pressure or guilt you into answering all questions, especially sensitive ones 2 |
Common red flags include any demand for sensitive information like SSN, financial details, or login credentials.
If a caller attempts to pressure or coerce you into answering questions, particularly highly personal ones, or tries to sell you something or request money, these are strong indicators of a scam.2
Similarly, any request for remote access to your devices should be treated as fraudulent.2
If any of these red flags are encountered, it is advisable to hang up immediately.1
The clear guidance on identifying fake Dynata calls underscores a significant consequence of Dynata’s legitimate and high-volume calling activity: it inadvertently creates a fertile ground for scammers.
The widespread public awareness of Dynata’s name, resulting from their frequent outreach, makes them an attractive entity for malicious actors to impersonate.
This is a common tactic where legitimate, well-known organizations are mimicked by fraudsters, leveraging public familiarity to exploit individuals.
Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Communications
Dynata is a legitimate and significant player in the market research industry, dedicated to gathering high-quality data for a diverse range of clients.
While their operations are lawful and contribute to data-driven decision-making across various sectors, their methods of contact, particularly frequent phone calls, can be perceived as intrusive by individuals.
The analysis has shown that Dynata’s extensive data sourcing and sophisticated profiling techniques are driven by the demand for granular insights in today’s data-intensive environment.
Individuals now possess the knowledge and tools to effectively manage communications from Dynata.
Direct opt-out mechanisms provided by Dynata, coupled with device-level blocking capabilities and the broader protection offered by the National Do Not Call Registry, empower individuals to significantly reduce unwanted calls.
Furthermore, understanding the distinct characteristics of legitimate Dynata calls versus fraudulent impersonations is crucial for safeguarding personal and financial information.
By remaining vigilant and utilizing the provided strategies, individuals can assert greater control over their communications and protect their privacy and peace of mind.
Works cited
- Who Is Dynata and Why Are They Calling You? – Lifehacker, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://lifehacker.com/who-is-dynata-and-why-are-they-calling-you-1850819389
- How to Stop Dynata Calls: Everything You Need to Know – wikiHow, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.wikihow.com/Dynata-Call
- Dealing with Dynata Calls: How to Stop Unwanted Survey Calls – NewReputation, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://blog.newreputation.com/stop-dynata-calls/
- World’s Largest First Party Data Platform | Dynata – World’s Largest First Party Data Platform, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.dynata.com/
- Market Research Simplified: Harnessing the Power of Dynata, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.dynata.com/market-research-simplified-harnessing-the-power-of-dynata/
- How To Opt Out of Dynata: Regain Your Data Privacy – ProPrivacy.com, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://proprivacy.com/privacy-service/guides/dynata-opt-out
- Survey capabilities – Dynata, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.dynata.com/platform-services/survey-capabilities/
- Privacy Policy – Dynata, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.dynata.com/privacy/
- Dynata LLC | BBB Business Profile | Better Business Bureau, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/plano/profile/market-research/dynata-llc-0875-91023738
- Dynata LLC | BBB Complaints | Better Business Bureau, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/plano/profile/market-research/dynata-llc-0875-91023738/complaints
- 1. Personal Data That May Be Collected About You – Dynata Privacy Policies, accessed on August 5, 2025, https://www.dynataprivacy.com/privacy/en-uk/General/Privacy-Policy/index.html
