Thousands Of T-Mobile Phone Details Sold On!

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Thousands Of T-Mobile Phone Details Sold On
6:08pm UK, Tuesday November 17, 2009
Graham Fitzgerald, Sky News Online
Thousands of T-Mobile customers' private details were sold on to rival firms in a major data selling scandal, it has been revealed.

A spokesman for the company confirmed it alerted the data protection watchdog after it discovered contract information was being passed on.
But he insisted it had happened "without our knowledge".
The Information Commissioner, which has launched an investigation, said mobile phone owners details had been sold to "several brokers" for "substantial sums".
It was so rivals could contact owners before their contracts expired to offer them a new deal, the ICO claimed.
Moves are now under way to prosecute those believed to be responsible.
The T-Mobile spokesman the situation was "deeply regrettable" and suggested it was an industry-wide problem.
He said the company had been asked to keep the problem a secret to avoid prejudicing a criminal prosecution.
He said: "T-Mobile takes the protection of customer information seriously.
"When it became apparent that contract renewal information was being passed on
to third parties without our knowledge, we alerted the Information Commissioner's Office.
"Working together, we identified the source of the breach, which led to the ICO conducting an extensive investigation which we believe we will lead to a prosecution."
ICO boss Christopher Graham said earlier an unnamed mobile phone company contacted his office to warn about the leak.

Probe uncovers 'illegal practice'
The firm said employees had allegedly sold on details relating to customers' mobile phone contracts, including their contract expiry dates.
Rival companies' agents then used the material to cold call customers prior to contract expiry dates to offer them an alternative deals.
Mr Graham said: "Many people will have wondered why and how they are being contacted by someone they do not know just before their existing phone contract is about to expire.
"We are considering the evidence with a view to prosecuting those responsible and I am keen to go much further and close down the entire unlawful industry in personal data."
The ICO is backing government proposals for people who steal and sell on personal data to be given prison sentences. At the moment, the maximum punishment is a fine.