Harvesting of mobile numbers from a website for the sending of marketing text messages [2009] IEDPC 5 (2009)

Harvesting of mobile numbers from a website for the sending of marketing text messages [2009] IEDPC 5 (2009)

The company breached data protection regulations by sending unsolicited marketing messages without prior consent and without a cost-free opt-out option, but resolved the matter amicably by ceasing the activity, deleting the data, and making a charitable donation.

Citation
[2009] IEDPC 5
Parties
Complainant: Complainant; Respondent: Energy Efficiency Testing Company
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Procedural Posture
Data Protection Complaint / Investigation and Resolution
Outcome
amicable resolution; no prosecution
Legal Topics
Unsolicited Marketing, Direct Marketing, Electronic Communications, Consent, Opt Out Requirements

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Complainant

Complainant

Energy Efficiency Testing Company

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Data Protection Complaint / Investigation and Resolution

  1. 1 Whether the company unlawfully harvested and used a mobile number from a website for unsolicited marketing text messages
  2. 2 Whether the company failed to provide a cost-free opt-out option in the marketing message

Ratio Decidendi

The company breached data protection regulations by sending unsolicited marketing messages without prior consent and without a cost-free opt-out option, but resolved the matter amicably by ceasing the activity, deleting the data, and making a charitable donation.

Court Disposition

amicable resolution; no prosecution

Orders

  • Company ceased marketing activity
  • Company deleted complainant's personal data