24/05/2017

“The mass sending of over 300,000 marketing text messages without following the rules is simply not on,” commented Steve Eckersley, head of enforcement at the Information Commissioner’s Office, after his organisation slapped a hefty penalty on yet another company to breach the rules governing electronic marketing communications.

Concept Car Credit limited, which is based in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester and deals in used cars as well as finance, told the ICO that it had obtained the data to send off the texts from other organisations

‘Concept Car Credit Limited enforcement notice’ explains that, as instigator of the texts, it had failed to meets its clear obligation to ensure the recipients had given their consent to receive them. It was fined £40,000.

Steve Eckersley said: “We have published clear guidance (‘Direct Marketing: Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations’) on how to comply with the law and have a helpline which gives businesses further advice. There’s no excuse for getting it wrong and intruding into people’s everyday lives with spam texts.”

ICO also issued an enforcement notice ordering the company to stop sending unlawful texts. It could face court action if it fails to comply with it.