# Changes to improve regular text giving opposed by data protection regulator

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/01/09/changes-improve-regular-text-giving-opposed-data-protection-regulator/
- Published: 2014-01-09T11:20:23+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Information Commissioners Office has opposed proposals that would relieve charities
of the requirement to remind donors each month that they can cancel regular gifts
made via their mobile phones.

Under the code of practice set by [PhonepayPlus](http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk).
the body that regulates premium rate phone services (PRS), phone operators must 
send a monthly ‘STOP’ reminder text to all regular subscribers.

But in a consultation that closed in December 2013, PhonepayPlus recommended ‘disapplying’
this rule for operators offering PRS-based charity donations.

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## STOP or SKIP monthly

Instead, operators would send a different monthly text – the ‘SKIP’ reminder – that
would allow donors to suspend their donation for a month. Skipping three successive
months would trigger a STOP reminder, and donors would be automatically unsubscribed
if they did not respond to the STOP text within 24 hours.

The consultation followed an extensive field trial of the proposals, which PhonepayPlus
had set up after it was approached by a provider requesting changes to the code 
of practice.

While the proposals have been [welcomed by the Institute of Fundraising](http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/library/iof-response-to-phonepayplus-consultation/)
as a “positive step towards developing flexibility with regards to text donations”,
the [ICO](http://www.ico.org.uk) wants the monthly ‘STOP’ option to continue.

The data protection regulator describes the proposals to ‘disapply’ the monthly 
STOP text rule as a “move from the previously-required more privacy friendly approach
to a less privacy friendly approach”.

It adds: “We are disappointed to note that the intention is to move away from a 
method where consumers are more informed and in control and are frequently reminded
of their ability to stop their donation subscriptions.”

Although one of the reasons for instituting the changes is that some donors who 
received the STOP text mistook it for an instruction to cancel their donation – 
and did so – the ICO says it is “unsure” why information about the STOP command 
could not be included alongside the SKIP option each month.

However, in its response the consultation, the Institute of Fundraising says the
pilot, which ran from March 2012 until the end of August 2013, provides “sufficient
evidence to show that donors were not significantly confused or put off by the proposed
changes”.

A spokesperson for PhonepayPlus said it was considering the responses to the consultation
and will make an announcement “in due course”. No date has been set for implementation
of the proposed changes.

 

_Photo: [Cymba Mobile Marketing](http://www.flickr.com/photos/cymba_mobile_marketing/10211441335/)
on Flickr.com_