The DCMS describes the consultation and its purpose as
follows:
The Government has been clear that there is no place for
nuisance calls or texts in society, and are committed to addressing this
problem. This consultation seeks views on the current arrangements for holding
individual directors to account, including the option to amend the Privacy and
Electronic Communications Regulations to give the Information Commissioner’s
Office increased powers to impose fines of up to £500,000 on those who breach
the Regulations.
Responses received will help the Government assess the need
for and impacts of any change.
The consultation document can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nuisance-calls-and-messages-action-against-directors
The consultation closes on 21 August.
The ICO revealed last week it had recovered just over half
(54 per cent) of the £17.8 million in fines issued for nuisance calls since
2010, as companies go into liquidation to avoid big penalties.
It is worth noting that there is no suggestion in the
consultation of a similar regime for data protection.
