The ICO said Flybe should have obtained people’s consent before sending the emails. Photograph: Colin Mearns
FLYBE has been fined £70,000 for sending more than 3.3 million marketing emails to people who had opted out of receiving them.
The UK airline sent the emails in August 2016 advising people to amend out-of-date personal information and update their marketing preferences. They also gave people the chance to enter a prize draw.
However, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said Flybe should have obtained people’s consent before sending the emails and head of enforcement Steve Eckersle said: “Sending emails to determine whether people want to receive marketing, without the right consent, is still marketing, and it is against the law.”
Flybe said it wanted to “sincerely apologise” to affected customers.
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