Flybe fined £70,000 for sending millions of unwanted marketing emails
The Information Commissioner’s Office warned firms to respect customers' data wishes
FLYBE, the Exeter-based airline, has been fined £70,000 for sending millions of marketing emails to people who did not want to receive them.
An investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) found that the carrier deliberately sent more than 3.3million unwanted emails to customers.
The emails, sent in August last year, were titled "Are your details correct?", and advised recipients to amend any out of date information and update any marketing preferences.
The email also said that by updating their preferences, people may be entered into a prize draw.
The ICO warned firms to respect customers' data wishes.
It also fined Honda for sending out 289,790 emails aiming to clarify certain customers’ choices for receiving marketing.
The car company believed the emails were not classed as marketing, and instead were customer service emails to help the company comply with data protection law.
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But the ICO said Honda couldn’t provide evidence that the customers’ had ever given their consent to receive this type of email, and as a result was fined £13,000.
Steve Eckersley, ICO head of enforcement, said: “Both companies sent emails asking for consent to future marketing. In doing so they broke the law.
"Sending emails to determine whether people want to receive marketing without the right consent, is still marketing and it is against the law.
“In Flybe’s case, the company deliberately contacted people who had already opted out of emails from them.”
The fines will be paid into the Treasury’s consolidated fund, which is the government's general bank account. This money is used for spending on the public services.
The Sun Online has contacted Flybe for comment.
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