With the advent of the electronic age, the Act is further supplemented by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.
These regulations provide explicit guidance for electronic marketing, in relation to existing and potential customers.
The marketing rules apply to you if you are sending marketing and advertising material by electronic means, such as by telephone, fax, email, text message, picture message, video message or by using an automated calling system.
There are also other rules that relate to the use of cookies, telephone directories, traffic data and location data.
More details on the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations can be found online at:
www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promote openness by public bodies and ensure data privacy for individuals.
The ICO governs eligible complaints, gives guidance to individuals and organisations and takes appropriate action when the law is broken.
More information on the ICO will be provided later in the course.