Statement from the Information Commissioner’s Office:
We’ve fined Tempcover Ltd, a short-term motor insurance company, £85,000 for sending almost 30 million unsolicited marketing email and text messages to customers without consent or being able to rely on the soft opt-in exemption.
Tempcover Ltd sent the messages to people who had signed up to receive a quote via their website.
They failed to provide customers with an opportunity to opt-out of receiving marketing, and essentially made agreement to marketing a condition of service. Customers were also automatically opted in to receiving marketing via texts and emails, without being given a choice.
By not giving customers a way of refusing marketing when they gave their details, Tempcover Ltd could also not rely on the soft opt-in exemption for direct marketing.