Case Studies Electronic Direct Marketing
Direct Marketing
An individual raised a query with the DPC concerning the marketing communication practices of an airline following a recent trip with that airline. The issue arose when the individual received an email requesting feedback on their recent trip, which they perceived to be a marketing email. The individual contacted the DPC advising that they could not find an unsubscribe option in this communication.
See More InformationProsecution of Google Ireland Limited
In November 2023, the DPC received notification from an individual of alleged unsolicited marketing communications via telephone from Google Ireland Limited. The individual in question had received three separate phone calls in the space of a 4-hour period from individuals identified as sales representatives on behalf of Google Ireland Limited. The DPC launched an investigation, during the course of which Google Ireland Limited confirmed that a third-party contractor had disregarded the individual’s previous request to opt-out of marketing communications, resulting in a number of calls being made to the individual.
See More InformationProsecution of Pulse Gym tradingas (Energie Fitness Dublin 8)
In October 2023, the DPC received notification from an individual regarding unsolicited marketing SMS messages received from Pulse Gym, trading as Energie Fitness Dublin 8. An investigation was launched during which Pulse Gym explained that when a member signed up online, they agreed to Pulse Gym’s terms and conditions, which included a reference to giving consent to receive marketing materials by electronic means.
See More InformationProsecution of Supermac’s Ireland Limited
In August 2023, the DPC received a complaint from an individual regarding alleged unsolicited marketing SMS messages received from Supermac’s Ireland Limited. The DPC launched an investigation, in the course of which Supermac’s Ireland Limited explained that the individual had registered for their online ordering system in 2018 and had ticked the box to receive SMS and email marketing communications. The individual subsequently placed an online order in 2023 and was added to an active marketing list for SMS purposes.
See More InformationProsecution of Thérapie Clinic Trading as Valterous Limited
In February 2024, the DPC received notification from an individual of an alleged unsolicited email communication from Thérapie Clinic. The individual had provided the DPC with a copy of their marketing preferences and a copy of an unsolicited email communication.
See More InformationProsecution of Guerin Media Limited
In January 2022, the DPC received two complaints from two individuals regarding unsolicited marketing emails received from Guerin Media Limited. In response to the DPC’s investigation of the complaints, Guerin Media Limited explained that the two individuals’ email contact details had previously been removed from all marketing lists held by the company with the exception of a Gmail contact list that it maintain. It stated that due to human error and the fact that their details remained on the Gmail contact list, both individuals were sent marketing emails from Guerin Media Limited that should not have occurred.
See More InformationProsecution of Vodafone Ireland Limited
In July 2021, the DPC received one complaint from an individual regarding an unsolicited marketing telephone call received from Vodafone Ireland Limited. In response to the DPC’s investigation of the complaint, Vodafone Ireland Limited explained that the existing customer had opted out of receiving marketing communications in March 2018. Despite this, Vodafone Ireland Limited had carried out a manual check of preferences in advance of conducting a marketing campaign, and due to human error, the complainant was included in the marketing campaign.
See More InformationProsecution of Three Ireland (Hutchison) Limited (ePrivacy)
In February 2021, the DPC received one complaint from an individual concerning unsolicited marketing electronic mail they had received from the telecommunications company Three Ireland (Hutchison) Limited. The complainant opted out of receiving marketing emails in mid-February 2021.
See More InformationProsecution of Vodafone Ireland Limited (ePrivacy)
In August 2019, March and September 2020, the DPC received three complaints from individuals regarding unsolicited marketing telephone calls, text messages and emails they had received from Vodafone Ireland Limited. In response to the DPC’s investigation of the first complaint, Vodafone Ireland Limited explained that the former customer had called Vodafone Ireland Limited on seven separate occasions to try to opt-out of receiving marketing phone calls to their mobile phone. On each occasion the agent they spoke to did not follow proper procedures and this resulted in the former customer not being opted out of marketing and receiving further marketing calls. The complainant closed his account with Vodafone Ireland Limited and switched to another operator due to the marketing phone calls he received.
See More InformationProsecution of Cari’s Closet Limited
In May 2018, we received a complaint against the online fashion retailer Cari’s Closet from an individual who had in the past placed an online order with the company. The complaint concerned the receipt of three unsolicited direct marketing emails. The same person had previously complained to the DPC in January 2018 about unsolicited emails from that company. On that occasion, the complainant said they had received over forty marketing emails in one month alone. The person had attempted, without success, to unsubscribe on a couple of occasions.
See More InformationProsecution of Just-Eat Ireland Limited
We received a complaint from an individual in November 2018 regarding unsolicited direct marketing emails from Just-Eat Ireland Limited. The complainant had unsubscribed from the company’s direct marketing emails but several days later received an unsolicited marketing email. During our investigation of this complaint, the company informed us that the complainant’s attempt to unsubscribe was unsuccessful due to a technical issue with its email platform. This issue affected 391 customers in Ireland.
See More InformationProsecution of Shop Direct Ireland Limited t/a Littlewoods Ireland
In May 2019, the DPC received a complaint from an individual who said they had been receiving direct marketing text messages from Littlewoods since March. The complainant stated that they had followed the instructions to unsubscribe by texting the word ‘STOP’ on five occasions to a designated number known as a short code, but they had not succeeded in opting out and they continued to get marketing text messages.
See More InformationProsecution of Vodafone Ireland Limited
In April 2019, the DPC received two separate complaints from an individual who had received unsolicited direct marketing communications by text and by email from the mobile network operator Vodafone. The individual stated that Vodafone had ignored their customer preference settings, which recorded that they did not wish to receive such marketing.
See More InformationVodafone seeks employment details from customers
The DPC received a number of queries regarding new or existing customers being requested by Vodafone to produce their employment details and work phone number as a requirement for the provision of service by that company.
See More InformationProsecution of DSG Retail Ireland Limited
DSG Retail Ireland Limited operates under various trading names and registered business names such as Dixons, Currys, PC World and Currys PC World. In November 2017, we received a complaint from a woman who had purchased a television from Currys a year previously. She informed us that she gave her email address to the company for the purposes of receiving a receipt and that she did not consent to receiving marketing emails. She stated she had unsubscribed from receiving further emails but the unsolicited emails continued.
See More InformationProsecution of Viking Direct (Ireland) Limited
In April 2017, we received a complaint from a business owner regarding unsolicited marketing emails that the business email address was receiving from Viking Direct (Ireland) Limited. The complainant indicated that she had previously contacted the company to ask for her business email address to be removed from the marketing list but, despite this, further marketing emails continued to be sent.
See More InformationProsecution of Vodafone Ireland Limited
In May 2018, we received a complaint from an individual who stated he was receiving frequent unsolicited calls from Vodafone’s marketing team. He claimed that Vodafone initially called him on 10 May 2018, at which point he said he was not interested in their offer; since then the company had called him every day. He ignored the communications.
See More InformationProsecution of Clydaville Investments Limited, T/A The Kilkenny Group
In November 2017, we received a complaint from an individual who received a marketing email from the Kilkenny Group. The email, which was personally addressed to him, promoted a pre- Christmas sale and informed him that there was up to 50% off and that everything was reduced. The complainant informed us that he did not believe that he had opted into receiving marketing emails.
See More InformationProsecution of Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, T/A Panda and Greenstar
In April 2018, a customer of the bin-collection service provider, Panda, complained to us that he had received unsolicited marketing SMS and email messages to which he had not consented, advertising Panda’s electricity business. He stated that the messages did not provide an unsubscribe option.
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