Mobile phone operators admit data rules breaches

Mobile phone operators 3G Ireland and Meteor, as well as retailer Carphone Warehouse, have admitted breaking data protection regulations by sending unsolicited text messages and spam emails to customers.

The companies pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court yesterday following investigations by the Data Protection Commission and they faced the possibility of being fined up to €5,000 per offence.

The watchdog prosecuted them after getting complaints from customers who had received unsolicited promotional texts and emails and could not opt out from getting the messages.