Security News > 2023 > November > UK data watchdog fines three text spammers for flouting electronic marketing rules

A "Debt management company" is itself facing a bill from Britain's data regulator for sending hundreds of thousands of text messages to households that opted not to receive marketing junk mail.

Misery loves company, and another entry in the ICO hall of shame this week is MCP Online, which is nursing a £55,000 penalty for making an unspecified number of "Unsolicited financial services calls about pensions," the ICO said.

These people could be your elderly parents, grandparents or even a neighbour who might have dementia and the last thing they need is a barrage of unwanted text messages or nuisance calls.

"High-pressured sales calls pushing financial products can cause real distress and harm to the people on the receiving end. That's why we support the government's recent consultation calling for a ban on cold calling for consumer financial services and products, and believe this could help reduce the amount of these predatory marketing calls."

ICO penalties for businesses that flout PECR come thick and fast, including five made famous in September for collectively making 1.9 million call to TPS members, and a pair of energy suppliers in June that posed as the National Grid and UK government.

The ICO issued 34 fines in 2022, the vast majority of which were for breaking electronic marketing rules.

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https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/11/03/ico_text_spam_fines/