Better Together

Breach details

What Breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) – Sent text messages without the consent of the recipients.
How many 300,000 SMSs.
When 22 March 2013 and 27 April 2013.
Why Better Together were sending out text messages to individuals in Scotland regarding how they would vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum. However, they did not ensure the recipients had given their consent to be contacted as they believed another company had already done this on their behalf.

Regulatory action

Regulator ICO
Action Undertaking to comply with Regulation 22(2) of PECR.
When 19 November 2013.
Details Two rounds of texts were sent out even though Better Together had received a letter from the ICO warning them to comply with the law.