Vodafone Italia S.P.A: Telemarketing Strategy consequence fined $12. 25 Million for GDPR

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.

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 investigative 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's entire 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