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O2 Breaking data protection law
The Wizard
Posts: 11,071 Forum Member
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Just had a text message from O2 which says...
So basically they've admitted that I've opted out of them sending me emails or texts that inform me of special offers so they decided to send me a text to inform me that I may want to change my subscripon settings because they weren't able to inform me of such offers.
Surely this in itself is a clear breach of data protection law seeing as by their own admission I've opted out of receiving messages related to offers. I should not be receiving any such text messages as I've asked not to be contacted with news about offers so why have they just sent me this message?
I have a good mind to report them to Offcom. I have no time or sympathy for companies that don't respect customers privacy requests.
The link wont work because I've removed the last part of the URL which contains my mobile number and links to my account.
Hi (my name). Did you know you get lots of extras just for being an O2 customer? Because you asked us to stop sending you emails and texts, we weren't able to let you know about them. So if you want to change your mind, please visit http://s.o2.co.uk/optin/
So basically they've admitted that I've opted out of them sending me emails or texts that inform me of special offers so they decided to send me a text to inform me that I may want to change my subscripon settings because they weren't able to inform me of such offers.
Surely this in itself is a clear breach of data protection law seeing as by their own admission I've opted out of receiving messages related to offers. I should not be receiving any such text messages as I've asked not to be contacted with news about offers so why have they just sent me this message?
I have a good mind to report them to Offcom. I have no time or sympathy for companies that don't respect customers privacy requests.
The link wont work because I've removed the last part of the URL which contains my mobile number and links to my account.
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I have opted out of receiving texts and emails with regards to special offers so sending someone messages of this nature when they have specifically asked not to be contacted is a breach of privacy laws.
Sending someone text messages to ask them to reconsider changing their privacy settings so they opt in to receive these messages is in my opinion a breach of my privacy settings.
they haven't sent you a text that you have opted out of.
however, as you said you have no time for companies like this, i assume you will be cancelling immediately?
https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/the-data-protection-act
They don't seem to have shared your data with anyone without your knowledge.
When there is a set of clearly defined guidelines your opinion doesn't really enter in to it.
Although I agree the text is a bit silly.
OP might have got his laws/acts mixed up but o2 are breaking some kind of law doing this. Ofcom would not approve.
What law?
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-pecr/telephone-marketing/
Theyve sent a text to a sim card and telaphone number they own.
Whether it's my own network provider or not, receiving marketing messages from a company that you've specifically asked not to contact you anymore with regards to this kind of message I would have thought was classed as spamming and illegal.
I was always under the impression that if a company continues to send you messages when you've previously asked them not to contact you anymore is breaking the law. My privacy settings clearly state that I don't wish to receive these kind of messages but they decided they're gonna send them anyway. Bang out of order!
Yes they have broken the Privacy and Electronic Regulations 2003. They have contravened section 21 of the act which clearly states that it's illegal to send someone marketing messages/calls to a.number that has unsubscribed or opted out of such.correspondence. The fact that O2 own the number is irrelevant. This doesn't make them exempt from the law.
So when did they call you?
so you are cancelling then?
as you said you had no time for such companies.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face with your drama queen reaction OP!
guess what i did... i hit delete and continued with my life....
It's all about perspective and priorities.
Receiving a text from O2 wouldn't even make it on to my list.
They have to remove you within a certain number of days, of course they can send a confirmation text asking if you're sure, but after the period you can complain about being contacted and further hassled.
The ICO is who deals with this sort of stuff, not Ofcom (one F). However I doubt the information commissioner will get too excited over 1 further text, especially if it was within the period they have to remove you (something like 7 days)
Exactly, in fact as the holder of information they have a duty to make sure that they keep their records up to date (which includes marketing preferences). I can't see how seeking confirmation and telling the consumer how to change it, is breaking any laws.
Provided they also ask people who are opted in and don't harass subscribers with too many requests then I don't see the problem - other than clumsy wording.
I'm going back to sleep..