Karimi & Associates Law Firm presents according to The UK Information Commissioner’s Office:
The UK Information Commissioner Office, ICO, has announced that three well-known companies will have to pay £495,000 as fines, due to sending millions of ‘frustrating and intrusive’ nuisance messages.
Andy Curry, Information Commissioner’s Office’s head of investigations, stated: “getting a ping on your phone or constant unwanted messages on our laptop from a company you don’t want to hear from is frustrating and intrusive.” He further added, “today’s fines show the ICO will tackle unsolicited marketing, irrespective of whether the messages have been orchestrated by a small business or organization, or a leading household name.”
We Buy Any Car company was fined £200,000 for sending more than 191 million emails. The firm also sent 3.6 million nuisance texts. Saga Services Ltd and Saga Personal Finance were fined £150,000 and £75,000 respectively for instigating more than 157 million emails between them. Sports Direct has been fined £70,000 for sending 2.5 million emails.
As the mentioned companies didn’t have the people’s permission to send such emails and messages, their actions were considered illegal and against the law. It is notable that The ICO’s investigations into the companies were sparked by complaints from the public.
“Companies that want to send direct marketing messages must first have people’s consent. And people must understand what they are consenting to when they hand over their personal information. The same rules apply even when companies use third parties to send messages on their behalf.” Andy Curry said.