The BBC report that the Liberal Democrats have reported the Labour party’s “robo-calling” electioneering to the Information Commissioner. The method – where automated calls ask voters to state their voting preference – may contravene regulations on unsolicited automated calling. In preparation for their botched snap election, Gordon Brown’s party had revived the system, which was controversial when used in 2005.
The Beeb quote our own Mark Pack:
The Lib Dems argue that unsolicited “information gathering” calls in which parties ask people if they would mind being sent more information, do contravene the EC directive.
Asked about the Lib Dems’ use of automated calls, spokesman Mark Pack told the BBC: “It’s not something we do. Our view is that it’s illegal.”
He said the information commissioner should be more assertive against Labour: “It is clear that they are making automated phone calls to people where they have not had specific prior consent from those individuals.”


