The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined two UK energy firms a combined £500,000 for making unlawful robocalls. This enforcement is a reminder that cutting corners with data and direct marketing doesn’t just risk financial penalties, it also damages reputation and destroys trust.
At Selectabase we have always believed in doing things differently. Since 1995 we have supplied GDPR compliant postal, email and phone data to thousands of businesses across the UK. Every campaign we support is legal, transparent and ethical. If we do not believe in a campaign or it fails compliance checks, we simply will not run it.
Why robocalls create problems
Robocalls are pre-recorded automated messages delivered en masse. They may seem efficient, but they often cross ethical and legal boundaries.
- Consent is unclear – most people never agree to receive automated calls
- Transparency is lacking – recipients don’t know who is contacting them or why
- Accountability is absent – a machine cannot answer questions or reassure anyone
- Brand impact suffers – instead of feeling engaged, people feel interrupted
Rather than building trust, robocalls damage it.
What businesses should be doing instead
The ICO fines are a wake-up call for any organisation that markets directly to consumers or businesses. To stay ethical and compliant:
- For consumer campaigns, only use GDPR compliant B2C postal lists that are legally sourced and regularly refreshed
- For B2B campaigns, rely on targeted email, phone and postal data provided under the lawful basis of legitimate interest
- Always identify who you are and why you are making contact
- Provide a clear and simple opt-out so people can choose not to be contacted again
- Check your lists regularly with our TPS checking tool to avoid calling numbers registered with the Telephone Preference Service
These steps not only keep you compliant, they also make your marketing more effective by respecting the people you are trying to reach.
How Selectabase ensures compliant marketing
Selectabase is a trusted UK mailing house and data provider with almost 30 years of experience. We only support campaigns that are ethical and 100 percent compliant.
- Our B2C postal data is GDPR compliant and constantly updated
- Our B2B data is accurate, targeted and available for email, phone and postal outreach
- We actively refuse campaigns that fall into legal or ethical grey areas
- As members of the DMA and registered with the ICO, we uphold the highest standards
👉 Explore our B2B List Builder and B2C List Builder to build your next compliant campaign in minutes.
Why compliance is a competitive advantage
Compliance is not just about avoiding fines. It is about creating campaigns that win more engagement, build stronger credibility and achieve better long-term results. Businesses that respect privacy and transparency are rewarded with trust.
Selectabase has hundreds of 5-star Google reviews, proof that our clients value not just the data we provide but also the reassurance that their campaigns are safe and effective.
👉 Read what others say about us on our testimonials page.
Final word
The ICO crackdown on robocalls shows how dangerous shortcuts can be. At Selectabase we believe in a better way. By choosing GDPR compliant consumer lists and targeted B2B data, businesses can market responsibly while achieving real results.
With nearly 30 years of experience and a reputation built on 5-star service, we are the trusted UK data partner for thousands of organisations.
📩 Contact us at [email protected] or start building your next compliant campaign today using our B2B List Builder, B2C List Builder or TPS checking service.
