United Kingdom: Closed consultation in ICO inquiry into illegal proposition to customers using personal information provided in a business context

On 15 September 2023, the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) closed its consultation in the inquiry into “text pests”. The aim of the inquiry is to assist the regulator in gathering evidence regarding the impact of this illicit conduct. “Text pests” are individuals who exploit personal details, such as phone numbers or email addresses shared in a professional context, for unwelcome romantic or sexual advances. This initiative follows recent research commissioned by the ICO, which unveiled that nearly a third of respondents aged 18-34 had encountered such practices. The ICO intends to investigate further the unauthorised use of personal data for romantic or sexual propositions. The regulator will also reach out to prominent customer-focused employers in the country to underline their legal obligations and gain insights into the protective measures they have in place.