Experian to Appeal UK Privacy Watchdog's Action Against Marketing Unit

By Adria Calatayud

Experian PLC said Tuesday that it intends to appeal against a decision by the U.K. privacy watchdog ordering the company to make changes to its marketing services.

The Information Commissioner's Office earlier on Tuesday said it has given the U.K. credit-checking company an enforcement notice compelling it to make changes within nine months or risk further action that could involve a fine of up to 20 million pounds ($26 million).

The enforcement notice followed a two-year investigation by the ICO into how Experian, Equifax Inc. and TransUnion used personal data within their data broking businesses for direct marketing purposes.

The ICO said all three companies made improvements to their direct marketing services business as a result of its work. The regulator said it is taking no further action against Equifax and TransUnion, as they withdrew some products and services alongside the improvements.

The ICO said Experian made progress in improving compliance, but didn't go far enough.

Experian said it disagrees with the ICO's decision, as it believes the regulator's view goes beyond legal requirements. The enforcement notice relates to Experian's U.K. marketing services, which represent 1% of the group's revenue.

Write to Adria Calatayud at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 27, 2020 09:06 ET (13:06 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.