Penalty imposed by Italian DPA on Enel Energia for $26.5 Million
Enel Energia is an Italian multinational manufacturer and distributor of the electricity and gas. It was established as a public body in 1962. After that it transformed in Public Limited company in the year 1992.
It has developed a strong dedication towards the renewable energy resources as well as implementing the new green technology. Therefore, Enel was the first energy company in the world to replace traditional electromechanical meters with smart meters, which allow to measure consumption in real time and manage contractual relationships remotely.
Understanding Enel Energia fine case
The Italian Data Protection Authority has imposed a penalty on Enel Energia for $26.5 Million for engaging the aggressive telemarketing activities. Hence, the breach of teleselling activities of GDPR followed.
The numerous complaints were received from the user regarding receiving the unwanted promotional telemarketing phone calls. It also included the robocalls on behalf of Enel. The users personal data also leaked without taking their consent. The calls and the emails that the users were receiving they were mostly to promote the services developed by Enel Energia. Hence, at the time of contract, most of the users didn't opt for receiving the marketing communication.
Additionally, at the time of investigation it found that the company on regular basis used to send the different type of marketing communications. They were receiving it despite refusing the marketing communication as per the contract. The Garante highlighted it carried out a complex investigation, which also covered Enel Energia's business partners. They also played a major part.
The authority also found that the word consent embrace by Enel Energia it was not considered as a complaint of GDPR as its regarded as too common at the time it floated to the entities for communicating as well as connecting the data for the marketing purpose.