Vodafone Italia S.P.A (formerly Vodafone Omnitel B.V.) it is an Italian Telephone company that provides mobile phones to the customers. The company’s headquarters are in Ivrea and Milan. It provides various tele comunication services. The Company offers prepaid, postpaid, data, roaming, mobile, messaging, tariff plans, Internet, broadband, and integrated wireless communication services. Vodafone Italia serves customers in Italy.
How Did Vodafone Italia S.P.A got Fined?
On November 12, 2020, The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) has announced a fine for General Data Protection Rules on Vodafone Italia S.P.A of $12.25 Million for violating the Telemarketing Practices. The data of Million people were disclosed unlawfully. The fine imposed on Vodafone Italia S.P.A is regarded as the third largest by the Italian Data Protection authority.
Understanding the case
The mobile phone conveyor had initiated a telemarketing campaign for broadening its mobile phone as well as the internet services to spread across the globe. The hundreds of users raised a complaint regarding the unbidden phone calls for telemarketing purpose.
The investigation authority uncovered the Information storage system that was purchased from an external service provider not even it took the consent of the users. It found around 4.5 Million contacts. The infringement counterfeited Vodafone Italia S.P.Aentire Italian customer base as a whole. There were cases that occurred in the list where the individuals did’nt provide consent of contacting them through the phone. Else, they can contact the individuals who have given the consent to call them. It won’t come under any violation or breach of conduct.
The Italian Data Protection Authority
Additionally, to protect the fundamental rights and freedom The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali) is an independent authority. Its connected with the processing of personal data, and to ensure respect for individuals’ dignity. In 1997 the DPA set up. Then the former Data Protection Act came into force.
They committed to ensure that, in all public and private sectors, data processed as required by the law. The rights of individuals respected whenever their personal data processed.
In Italy the General Data Protection Rules are established by the Codice in materia di protezione dei dati personali. The Codice has gone through the Legislative decree. The decree revoked the previous and integrated provision that were initiated. It also provides and maintains certain discipline regarding the personal data protection and safeguarding the same. It also prohibits any direct investigation on the data privacy of any company or organization.
Investigation Procedure Of Vodafone Italia S.P.A
Moreover, the most annoying part at the time of investigation was that tremendous fake telephone calls registered with ROC (i.e. National Consolidated Registry of Communication Operators) in order to run the marketing campaign as well as for calling purpose.
Additionally Vodafone Italia S.P.A has come into the spotlight. It is seemingly related to a shady set of unauthorized call centers that carry out telemarketing activities in utter disregard of personal data protection legislation.
Violation of the Case
Similarly, the infringement implemented as for handling the contact list purchased from the third party. The Vodafone Italia S.P.A Business partners obtained those list from other companies. It transferred to Vodafone without the users’ required free, informed, and specific consent.
The investigators also found that the customer resource management measures were improper. In this respect, several complaints and alerts submitted to the Garante by customers. The operators contacted them.
The Outcome
The Garante requested Vodafone Italia S.P.A to initiate different systems for the purpose of telemarketing to comply with the consent. The company required to look after the contractual arrangement activated only when the telemarketing calls are there of their own sales team. The company must implement the stronger security measure.
However, Garante banned Vodafone to further process data related to marketing and commercial purpose.
