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DirectTV to Pay $5.4M in Privacy Fines

Posted by Zonk on from the privacy-isn't-a-fad dept.

abscissa writes "Remember the do-not-call registry? DirecTV is in big trouble for violating the list, and faces the largest civil assessment ever obtained of $5.4M for harassing people over the phone at home and ignoring the registry. Although it looks like DirecTV was outsourcing all their telemarketing (obviously), the FTC recieved 1.4 million complaints, the biggest category of do-not-call violations ever recieved." From the article: "Majoras was quick to emphasize that the most important part of the settlement is that it sends a warning to companies that they cannot hire telemarketers and then turn their backs on whether or not the rules are followed."

4 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Drop in the Bucket by Maizdog · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Unfortunatly, it was probably worth it for them if they are only going to be fined $5.4M. That is a proverbial drop in the bucket that they will have made back by their tactics. The one hope, of course, is that there is some sort of brand name damage. Of course, I dont think consumers care quite enough to give up DirectTV so it is mostly a moot point.

    1. Re:Drop in the Bucket by sd_diamond · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Actually, I am considering cancelling my installation scheduled for this Friday.

      Do it. Immediately. And if you don't, take my advice: NEVER use their online payment service. DirecTV is, IMO, a criminal organization. Last year, they issued an unauthorized double-charge on my account (I had paid that month's bill electronically on their web site) to the tune of $300. My wife and I spent two weeks on the phone with them trying to get the money back. They kept assuring us that it was going to happen, but the date kept slipping back. Worse, they wouldn't even let us speak directly with their finance department -- only clueless customer "service" reps. I finally had to go to my Credit Union and issue a Stop Payment to get my money back. Bad service is one thing; stealing money is in another category altogether. I wish the aforementioned settlement had a few more zeroes on the end; I would like nothing more than to see these scumbags sued into oblivion.

  2. 1.4 million complaints by OYAHHH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If,

    It takes 1.4 million complaints to get action over the DNC list then I would say the DNC list is somewhat of a failure.

    Personally, anything over about 500 complaints is where I would set the limit.

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    Caution: Contents under pressure
  3. Fact jumble by ergo98 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It takes 1.4 million complaints to get action over the DNC list then I would say the DNC list is somewhat of a failure.

    I'm going to guess that CNN jammed together some facts - this article makes some guesses at the number of people on the list that were called, saying "in the thousands". Certainly not in the millions. And of course it's doubtful many of the people called bothered to file a complaint, which is why the FTC just arbitrarily assessed a penalty of the maximum penalty per call per day.

    The article implies that the entire program has received 1.4 million complaints overall, which seems reasonable.