German court considers emails and customer satisfaction surveys
Can customers’ email addresses be used for satisfaction surveys without prior consent? Stephan Bahner of Osborne Clarke Cologne reports.
All Articles in Online advertising
New proposals to boost EU e-commerce
To help unlock pan EU e-commerce, the European Commission has launched a package of proposals. Included are geo-blocking, parcel delivery pricing and greater powers for national authorities to enforce consumer rights. Stefania Grosso reports.
ICO fines “Better for the country” Brexit body £50,000
“Leave.eu” sent 500,000 spam texts to UK mobile users urging a referendum “Leave” vote. ICO said the recipients gave no prior consent and imposed a substantial fine. The organisation says it will appeal. Jude King reports.
Ultra Finishing Ltd fined £786,688 for resale price maintenance
Following an investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority has slapped a substantial fine on a bathroom supplies specialist for imposing illegal RPM on online retailers. Barney Sich reports.
ASA probes Australian “UGG Boots” website claims
A UK consumer complained that a “15 day money back guarantee” on www.abugg.com.au was not honoured. A “made in Australia” claim was also challenged. Chloe Dumoulin-Richet reports and looks at the jurisdictional and enforcement aspects.
“Smart mirrors” and marketing: privacy concerns
As marketers are alerted to the exciting possibilities of cutting edge “hidden display technology,” Georgina Graham sounds a data protection warning.
CMA takes action against Total SEO & Marketing over fake reviews
A Competition and Markets Authority investigation found that between 2014 and 2015 Total SEO & Marketing Ltd, a search engine optimisation and online marketing company, wrote over 800 fake reviews for 86 businesses that appeared on 26 websites. Ben Dunham reports.
The ICO publishes updated direct marketing guidance
In September 2013 the UK’s data watchdog published its first “Direct Marketing Guidance.” This upset the direct marketing fraternity with stricter approaches in various areas. Now an updated version has appeared. What are the key changes? Georgina Graham reports.
ASA probes Latvian “Pranamat Sales” site
Online ads for “ECO acupressure mats” claimed they “helped to relieve stress, reduce headache and back pain and improve circulation.” On what basis could the ASA have jurisdiction over a Latvian website? Daisy Jones reports.
Online Behavioural Advertising principles extended to mobile
Almost five years after the launch of Best Practice Recommendations for use of cookies and similar technology in connection with online behavioural advertising, new “Mobile principles” finally extend these to the mobile space. Georgina Graham reports.
Competition and Markets Authority alleges online resale price maintenance
Competition and Markets Authority alleges online resale price maintenance The CMA has issued statements of objections to unrelated bathroom fittings and commercial refrigeration parts suppliers. It alleges that each illegally imposed a minimum advertised price for online sales. Barney Sich reports.
German Federal Court of Justice rules auto-reply email illegal
A customer terminating his insurance by email got two auto replies. The second was triggered by his complaint to the insurer’s data protection officer about the first one. Stephan Bahner reports on the ensuing litigation.
