ICO fines companies a total of £330,000 for sending more than 2.7 million spam text messages

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has sanctioned two firms for sending unlawful and nuisance text messages to their customers. The ICO took notice because it received several complaints from people affected. One of the companies even received a total of 10,000 complaints.

The two companies had sent the unwanted text messages during the Corona pandemic and have now been sanctioned with £330,000 by the UK Data Protection Authority.

Leads Works Ltd.

One of the companies, the West Sussex-based Leads Works Ltd, sent more than 2.6 million text messages to its customers without obtaining valid consent. Between 26 May and 26 June, the authorities received more than 10,000 complaints.

In addition, Leads Works Ltd has received an enforcement notice from the ICO requiring it to stop sending unlawful direct marketing messages.

Valca Vehicle Ltd

Valca Vehicle Ltd, a company based in Manchester has been sanctioned £80,000. Between June and July 2020, the company sent over 95,000 text messages. This was also without the appropriate consent of those affected. The company has been ordered to stop sending further text messages without consent. Valca Vehicle Ltd has also been criticised for using the pandemic as an excuse for its actions.