Garage fined £65k for illegally spamming islanders

An investigation found that 430 customers - mainly of Jacksons' Motor Mall garage - were sent direct marketing despite opting out

A garage group has been fined £65,000 for illegally spamming customers who had asked to be taken off its mailing list.

Guernsey's Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) launched a two-year investigation into Jacksons Group - which operates garages in Guernsey and Jersey.

The investigation - along with an internal review - found that 430 customers who had said "no" to direct marketing had their records illegally updated to "yes" - on the instruction of a "senior employee".

Data commissioner Brent Homan said respecting customer consent was a "fundamental" obligation, which was reflected by the "serious nature" of the fine. Jacksons said it "accepted" the judgement.

A spokesperson for the parent company - Van Mossel Automotive Group - said the senior employee was "no longer with the business".

The spokesperson said the company took "customers' data privacy very seriously".

It regretted the "historic failing that occurred prior to our ownership".

Mr Homan said he was "encouraged" that the company - which operates garages including Van Mossel Jacksons and Motor Mall - had shown a "commitment" to improving under its new management.

"Jacksons has already taken progressive steps and we look forward to meeting with them in the future to hear of their further progress," he added.