Companies behind cold calls and nuisance text messages could face fines of up to £500,000 in plans unveiled by the government.
Around four out of five people complain that they are regularly col-called at home, with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) receiving nearly 15,000 complaints relating to the practice each month.
A change in the law coming into effect from 6 April will mean that the ICO will no longer have to prove the nuisance calls or texts caused ‘substantial damage or substantial distress’ to intervene, meaning that the body will be able to clamp down on more offenders.
The government also said that it will examine introducing measures to hold board-level executives responsible for the nuisance calls and texts, in the hope that it will stop companies using such aggressive marketing tactics.
Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said:
“For far too long companies have bombarded people with unwanted marketing calls and texts, and escaped punishment because they did not cause enough harm.
“This change will make it easier for the Information Commissioner’s Office to take action against offenders and send a clear message to others that harassing consumers with nuisance calls or texts is just not on. We’re also going to look at whether the powers the ICO have to hold to account board level executives for such behaviour are sufficient or we need to do more.”
Justice and Civil Liberties Minister Simon Hughes commented:
“Being pestered by unwanted marketing calls and texts can bring real misery for the people on the receiving end. We have already increased the level of fine available to punish rogue companies. This new change in the law will make it easier from now on for the Information Commissioner to take quick and firm action against companies who give so much grief to so many people.”