FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
What is and is not direct marketing?
Direct marketing involves a person being targeted by an organisation (marketer) attempting to promote a product or service, or attempting...
See More InformationWhat rules apply to electronic direct marketing?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies directly in Ireland to most kinds of data processing and is read in...
See More InformationWhat is an unsolicited communication?
Unsolicited communication is essentially something that was not sought or requested. If, for example, you have an ongoing, or recent,...
See More InformationIs consent explicitly required for all cases of electronic direct marketing?
The general rule for electronic direct marketing is that it requires the clear, affirmative consent of the recipient (such as...
See More InformationCan customers object to electronic direct marketing?
The ePrivacy Regulations provide that individuals have the right to object to receiving electronic direct marketing and that a valid...
See More InformationAre there ways of stopping unsolicited direct marketing mail contacts?
Unsolicited direct marketing mail can be stopped by sending back an opt-out request to the sender. A description of how...
See More InformationI am receiving nuisance/threatening phone calls, what can I do?
This is a matter for your phone provider and the Gardaí to examine. Your data protection rights relate to calls...
See More InformationCan my mobile phone be targeted for marketing phone calls?
Under the ePrivacy Regulations (SI 336 of 2011) marketing calls to mobile phones are prohibited unless: The caller has been notified...
See More InformationHow do I know what preference has been recorded in relation to my landline telephone number?
Any landline telephone subscriber has a right to ask his/her service provider for a copy of his/her listing in the...
See More InformationIf my landline provider fails to record my preference to be placed on the opt-out register of the National Directory Database (NDD), what can I do?
This is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which takes it seriously, and you should contact ComReg...
See More InformationIf my landline number is recorded on the National Directory Database (NDD) Opt-Out Register, will I still receive marketing calls from people I do business with?
Yes, unless you instruct these people that you do not wish to receive marketing calls from them on your landline...
See More InformationHow do I remove a deceased person from a direct marketing database?
This should be done in the standard way by writing to the organisation (data controller) and explaining the circumstances. In...
See More InformationTo whom do I complain?
A complaint can either be made to this office (who may prosecute persistent offenders) or to the Commission for Communication...
See More InformationCan I ask my customers to provide the electronic contact details of friends as part of a "refer a friend" scheme so that I can market them about my products and services?
It is an offence under the ePrivacy Regulations (SI 336 of 2011) to send an unsolicited marketing message to someone...
See More InformationCan I ask my customers to inform their friends through my website as part of a "tell a friend" scheme about my products and services?
This depends on the way the scheme operates. It is more likely to be acceptable if the content of the...
See More InformationCan the Electoral Register be used for direct marketing purposes?
Since 2004, registration authorities are required to publish two versions of the Electoral Register – the 'full' register and the...
See More Information