Customer data used for unwanted romantic contact, UK poll shows

A recent UK poll has shed light on an alarming trend: nearly one in three individuals aged 18-34 have fallen victim to unwanted romantic advances after sharing their personal information with businesses. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is now urging those affected by such unsolicited texts to step forward and assist in building a case against this invasive practice.

These unsolicited texts are often initiated by individuals who exploit personal data, such as phone numbers or email addresses acquired through business interactions, to make romantic overtures. Research conducted by the ICO has unveiled the extent of this issue, with nearly a third of 18- to 34-year-olds having experienced such unwanted advances. Furthermore, a majority of the public, standing at 66%, expressed that they view this practice as ethically inappropriate, believing that personal details shared for business purposes should not be exploited for personal gain.

In response to this concerning trend, the ICO is set to reach out to some of the largest customer-centric businesses in the country, serving as a reminder that unauthorized use of personal information is against the law.

This call to action follows a distressing incident involving a 23-year-old airline passenger, Hannah Smethurst. While waiting to board a flight, she received an unsolicited WhatsApp message from a contractor working for Etihad Airways. This individual had accessed her contact information through the airline’s system. Understandably, Smethurst described the experience as “terrifying” and felt exceptionally vulnerable.

Etihad Airways responded by launching an investigation, which confirmed “inappropriate conduct by an employee of a third-party contractor.”

Emily Keaney, the deputy commissioner of regulatory policy at the ICO, emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal data. She stated, “People have the right to order a pizza or give their email for a receipt or have shopping delivered without then being asked for sex or a date a little while later. They have a right to know that when they hand over their personal information that it will not then be used in ways that they would not be comfortable with. If you are running a customer-facing business, you have a responsibility to protect the data of your customers, including from your employees misusing it.