Multimillion pound fines proposed for nuisance calls

The government has launched a consultation on the proposed changes to the UK’s data landscape.

The consultation sets out plans to impose tougher penalties and fines for nuisance calls and text messages. These sanctions would be overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Currently, companies behind nuisance communications can be fined £500,000 by the ICO but ministers are considering bringing the punishment in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which can issue a fine of up to £17.5m or four percent of global turnover.

These reforms aim to “move away from a one-size-fits-all approach”, according to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Digital secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Data is one of the most important resources in the world and we want our laws to be based on common sense, not box-ticking. Now that we have left the EU, we have the freedom to create a new world-leading data regime that unleashes the power of data across the economy and society.

“These reforms will keep people’s data safe and secure, while ushering in a new golden age of growth and innovation right across the UK, as we build back better from the pandemic.”