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Nuisance calls regulation must be strengthened, Which? demands Nuisance calls regulation must be strengthened, Which? demands
(14 days later)
The government must strengthen the law to put people back in control of their personal data and stop them being "bombarded" with unwanted calls and texts, a consumer group will tell MPs today.The government must strengthen the law to put people back in control of their personal data and stop them being "bombarded" with unwanted calls and texts, a consumer group will tell MPs today.
Which? is calling for the government to change the way consumers' data is used by introducing an expiry date when a person consents to being contacted by selected third parties, and an obligation on businesses to be able to prove to the Information Commissioner's Office that a person gave consent to being contacted. The rules should also be extended to include firms selling on personal data, not just those that conduct direct marketing, it says.Which? is calling for the government to change the way consumers' data is used by introducing an expiry date when a person consents to being contacted by selected third parties, and an obligation on businesses to be able to prove to the Information Commissioner's Office that a person gave consent to being contacted. The rules should also be extended to include firms selling on personal data, not just those that conduct direct marketing, it says.
Which? will be making the demands when it gives evidence to a hearing being held by the culture, media and sport select committee for its inquiry into nuisance calls.Which? will be making the demands when it gives evidence to a hearing being held by the culture, media and sport select committee for its inquiry into nuisance calls.
The committee announced its inquiry into nuisance telephone calls and text messages in July, saying it would focus on the current regulatory system and its enforcement, the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service and practical measures by service providers to curtail such communications.The committee announced its inquiry into nuisance telephone calls and text messages in July, saying it would focus on the current regulatory system and its enforcement, the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service and practical measures by service providers to curtail such communications.
The problem of nuisance calls, seen as an inevitable result of fast developing technology and telecommunications, has become so serious that Which? estimates UK consumers received more than 700m unwanted calls last month.The problem of nuisance calls, seen as an inevitable result of fast developing technology and telecommunications, has become so serious that Which? estimates UK consumers received more than 700m unwanted calls last month.
Separately, a campaign group is calling for a single nuisance calls agency to pass prepared cases for action to the respective regulators. David Hickson of the Fair Telecoms campaign, who will also give evidence to the committee, is calling for "a single specialist body exclusively representing the consumer/citizen interest in this matter, facing the public, receiving people's reports of nuisance and aggregating them in a way that must lead to action."Separately, a campaign group is calling for a single nuisance calls agency to pass prepared cases for action to the respective regulators. David Hickson of the Fair Telecoms campaign, who will also give evidence to the committee, is calling for "a single specialist body exclusively representing the consumer/citizen interest in this matter, facing the public, receiving people's reports of nuisance and aggregating them in a way that must lead to action."
Ofcom and the Telephone Preference Service are also likely to be summoned to give evidence.Ofcom and the Telephone Preference Service are also likely to be summoned to give evidence.
Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, will tell MPs: "Consumers are completely fed up with being bombarded by unwanted calls and texts. We have made it easier for people to complain about this nuisance – now the government needs to go further and faster with a new approach, new laws and new technology to tackle this menace.Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, will tell MPs: "Consumers are completely fed up with being bombarded by unwanted calls and texts. We have made it easier for people to complain about this nuisance – now the government needs to go further and faster with a new approach, new laws and new technology to tackle this menace.
"The government must strengthen the law to put people back in control of their personal data and keep up pressure on regulators to take tough action against companies that persistently break the rules.""The government must strengthen the law to put people back in control of their personal data and keep up pressure on regulators to take tough action against companies that persistently break the rules."
Which? said 84,000 people had pledged their support to its Calling Time on Nuisance Calls and Texts campaign, launched in July. Its online complaints tool directs consumers to the relevant regulator's complaint form in a matter of seconds, making it easier to officially register their frustration with nuisance calls and texts.Which? said 84,000 people had pledged their support to its Calling Time on Nuisance Calls and Texts campaign, launched in July. Its online complaints tool directs consumers to the relevant regulator's complaint form in a matter of seconds, making it easier to officially register their frustration with nuisance calls and texts.
Which? revealed that consumers using the tool mostly complain about PPI calls and texts, followed by sectors including accident claims, debt advice, energy, computer software, double glazing/windows, loft insulation, pensions and kitchen sales.Which? revealed that consumers using the tool mostly complain about PPI calls and texts, followed by sectors including accident claims, debt advice, energy, computer software, double glazing/windows, loft insulation, pensions and kitchen sales.
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