UK ICO welcomes nuisance calls and texts law change
The law in the UK surrounding nuisance calls and texts changed
on 6 April to allow the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
to fine companies who make unsolicited calls. The change removes
the requirement for calls or texts to have caused "substantial
damage or substantial distress" and the ICO has committed to
fining those who break the law.
Businesses have expressed concern about compensation
claims
Following the recent Court of Appeal judgment in Vidal Hall
& Ors v Google Inc companies are concerned about the
potential exposure to damages in light of claimants no longer
needing to show "damage and distress". Although Google
were refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, it remains
to be seen whether they will seek to clarify important cyber
security issues within the judgment. In the interim, data
controllers need to be aware of this change and the potential to
increase levels of risk posed.
