Welcome to the ICO's July 2026 public advice e-newsletter

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Public advice newsletter

Welcome to the May edition of our public advice newsletter, where you can find out more about the action we’re taking to protect the public from nuisance marketing and wider data protection issues.

Compensation company fined £90,000 for unlawful marketing calls

We have fined AFK Letters Co Ltd (AFK) £90,000 for making more than 95,000 unsolicited marketing calls to people registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), in a clear breach of electronic marketing laws.

Between January and September 2023, AFK, a company that writes letters seeking compensation and refunds for customers, used data collected through its own website and a third-party telephone survey company to make 95,277 marketing calls.

AFK failed to keep proper records of consent for those it was calling, as well as failing to properly disclose to people what they would be consenting to. This is a fundamental requirement of responsible and legally compliant direct marketing.

Companies sending out direct marketing should have robust systems to protect people’s privacy and comply with the law.

Read more about the AFK case here

Man fined £50k for making thousands of unlawful calls

We have fined Newcastle based sole trader Darian Bishop, trading as ECO4U, £50,000 for making over 194,000 unlawful marketing calls related to grants for new boilers and solar panels.

Complainants said that these calls left them feeling threatened and were an invasion of their privacy.

This fine should serve as a warning to others that we can pursue any business, regardless of their size, or person that flouts the law.

Read more about our investigation into Mr Bishop

M&S and Co-op cyber attacks

You may have seen recently that Marks and Spencer plc and Co-op Group were both impacted by cyber incidents.

Seeing cyber attacks in the news can be concerning. However, rest assured that we are making enquiries with these organisations to offer appropriate support and guidance. As well as working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre.

We urge anyone worried about their personal information, to visit our website for advice and support.

More ways to stay safe online

Celebrate 40 years of privacy with us!

Privacy has shaped our lives in different ways. To celebrate 40 years of privacy rights we launched our exhibition "Our Lives, Our Privacy" - head to Manchester Central Library before June 30 to see if for yourselves.

Can't make it to Manchester?
Explore the digital exhibition online!

Information Commissioner's Office
Registered office: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

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