Mass text
- Thread starter smr
- Start date
Pardon?
This is a very thorny subject as this could count as marketing which they will have had to very specifically opted in to. Messaging them without their explicit permission can and will be looked on very dimly by the ICO as a pretty serious breach of GDPR.
I'm not sure how it's a bad idea. I see it as a good idea.
I'm a sole trader and have around 5,000 customers throughout the county, north and south - I fix computers for a living, many of my customers I have their email addresses, many of them I have their mobile phone numbers, some customers I have one or the other.
With the current situation we find ourselves in I've taken the decision not to go into people's houses but will still be able to pick computers up from their door steps, have them delivered to me, or remote support.
It would be a good idea to send a text message to them to make them aware that this support is still available to them. I've many older customers, many of whom live on their own and need a computer and Internet connection for their well-being and to be able to keep connected to people.
Soldato
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It's a very bad idea due to GDPR - unless you have their express consent that they are happy to receive marketing messages at the point they gave their data to you. Assuming you do have this permission then you will also need a method for people to remove themselves from your SMS 'mailing list'.
Ok fair enough I hadn't thought about GDPR... as you can tell I haven't mass texted anyone before... never had a reason to!
Well, hopefully my business can continue as normal. I had a phone call yesterday from a customer (over 70) asking if I could come round to him. I offered remote support which he didn't know about and was very happy to hear of that, so I'm doing that tomorrow.
Had a call today from another customer over 70 who asked if I am still working, I said I can remote support or drop off etc. and he's dropping his laptop off to me later in the week. So hopefully all will be well on the business side of things.
Bit meh with this GPDR thing, I'm sure none of my customers would really care about getting a text off me, they all know me personally and in person. Many might assume that they can't turn to me, or anyone for help with their computer at what could be a stressful and anxious time for them.
Anyway, more importantly I hope everyone stays safe and well.
Well, hopefully my business can continue as normal. I had a phone call yesterday from a customer (over 70) asking if I could come round to him. I offered remote support which he didn't know about and was very happy to hear of that, so I'm doing that tomorrow.
Had a call today from another customer over 70 who asked if I am still working, I said I can remote support or drop off etc. and he's dropping his laptop off to me later in the week. So hopefully all will be well on the business side of things.
Bit meh with this GPDR thing, I'm sure none of my customers would really care about getting a text off me, they all know me personally and in person. Many might assume that they can't turn to me, or anyone for help with their computer at what could be a stressful and anxious time for them.
Anyway, more importantly I hope everyone stays safe and well.
Yes that's a good idea and one I have thought of too. I'm also updating my adverts.
I assume you have an online presence? Surely a notice about how you are mitigating circumstances surrounding COVID-19 on your platform(s) (website, social media pages, etc) is a better first point of contact that mass texting people!
If you use print, have you updated your advert so that the next print run contains up to date info regarding coronavirus?
If you use print, have you updated your advert so that the next print run contains up to date info regarding coronavirus?
I don't know what contracts you have in place with your customers but you could give them an option to opt out to any future text messages. Your text message maybe relevant to the service you are providing so therefore could be deemed acceptable.
As long as you don't expose everyone's mobile numbers to all those you text you should be fine. GDPR is predominantly concerned about sensitive data and a mobile number is only deemed as personal data. The ICO are not going to come kicking in the door due to you sending text messages to customers especially with what is happening in the world currently.
As long as you don't expose everyone's mobile numbers to all those you text you should be fine. GDPR is predominantly concerned about sensitive data and a mobile number is only deemed as personal data. The ICO are not going to come kicking in the door due to you sending text messages to customers especially with what is happening in the world currently.
If you don't have any explicit 'Yes' or 'No' permission for text, you might be able to utilise Legitimate Interest.
So that would revolve around only contacting customer who have used your services within say the past 1-2 years.
The rules around Legitimate Interest are a bit fuzzy, but the general gist is that if the people you text here wouldn't think it weird to be contacted by you, and as you have no specific opt in or out status, you could probably get away with it in court.
*My advice is in no way legally assured, this is just based on my own experience in marketing and being heavily involved with my company's GDPR project.
At the end of the day, it is down to the appetite for risk from you (or your legal department).
So that would revolve around only contacting customer who have used your services within say the past 1-2 years.
The rules around Legitimate Interest are a bit fuzzy, but the general gist is that if the people you text here wouldn't think it weird to be contacted by you, and as you have no specific opt in or out status, you could probably get away with it in court.
*My advice is in no way legally assured, this is just based on my own experience in marketing and being heavily involved with my company's GDPR project.
At the end of the day, it is down to the appetite for risk from you (or your legal department).