118800 - How the law protects people's privacy?

The law protects the use of telephone numbers when such use impacts on your privacy through rules found in the Data Protection Act 1998 and the EC Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). The Data Protection Act gives you rights over your personal information, with respect to how it's used and your access to it. It stipulates that you have the right to know what information is held about you, the right to correct or remove it and the right to object to its use for marketing purposes. For more information go to www.ico.gov.uk. PECR sets out the rules that companies must comply with when they wish to market to you by electronic means such as telephone, email or SMS. The rules protect you from marketing messages you don't want to receive. They put the onus on companies to act responsibly and allow you to object to receiving marketing communications. As a result the rules are designed so that you should only receive telephone calls, emails and texts that you would reasonably expect to receive. For more information go to www.ico.gov.uk. Finally, phone-paid services such as directory enquiries, voting on TV shows, and traffic update services are regulated by PhonepayPlus. Their code of practice governs such things as service content, honest advertising and clear and accurate pricing. If you have a problem with such a service you should complain to PhonepayPlus (see contact details below). For more information about them and their code of practice visit their website. Links and contacts Changing directory status For BT-provided lines: Call 0800 800 150 for RESIDENTIAL NUMBERS Call 0800 800 152 for BUSINESS NUMBERS For lines from other companies: Contact the provider directly. Managing telesales calls For removing landline and mobile numbers from marketing lists contact: The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps or call 0845 070 07 07. For complaints If you fail to resolve any issues that you have with unwanted telephone or electronic marketing messages or the TPS contact:

The law protects the use of telephone numbers when such use impacts on your privacy through rules found in the Data Protection Act 1998 and the EC Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR).

The Data Protection Act gives you rights over your personal information, with respect to how it's used and your access to it. It stipulates that you have the right to know what information is held about you, the right to correct or remove it and the right to object to its use for marketing purposes. For more information go to www.ico.gov.uk.

PECR sets out the rules that companies must comply with when they wish to market to you by electronic means such as telephone, email or SMS.

The rules protect you from marketing messages you don't want to receive. They put the onus on companies to act responsibly and allow you to object to receiving marketing communications. As a result the rules are designed so that you should only receive telephone calls, emails and texts that you would reasonably expect to receive. For more information go to www.ico.gov.uk.

Finally, phone-paid services such as directory enquiries, voting on TV shows, and traffic update services are regulated by PhonepayPlus. Their code of practice governs such things as service content, honest advertising and clear and accurate pricing. If you have a problem with such a service you should complain to PhonepayPlus (see contact details below). For more information about them and their code of practice visit their website.

Links and contacts

Changing directory status

For BT-provided lines:

Call 0800 800 150 for RESIDENTIAL NUMBERS

Call 0800 800 152 for BUSINESS NUMBERS

For lines from other companies: Contact the provider directly.

Managing telesales calls

For removing landline and mobile numbers from marketing lists contact:

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps or call 0845 070 07 07.

For complaints

If you fail to resolve any issues that you have with unwanted telephone or electronic marketing messages or the TPS contact: