The Information Commissioner’s Office announced that it has issued a monetary penalty against Direct Assist Ltd, for making direct marketing calls without consumers’ consent.
Between January 2013 and July 2014, the ICO and the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered 801 concerns about the Bolton-based company which offered access to solicitors for personal injury insurance claims.
The firm was fined £80,000, but there is a right of appeal.
Businesses in the U.K. should definitely read the monetary penalty notice (pdf), as it details the ICO’s inquiries to Direct Assist and what appear to be the firm’s very unsatisfactory practices and responses to the ICO.
I guess my only question is whether £80,000 is enough of a deterrent. Do these direct marketing calls make more than the amount of the penalty?