Text Message from Election Candidate

_feedback_

One of the girls here in work is after getting a text from a local election candidate ... It says something like "Hello fellow constituent, I could really do with your support and your vote today .... <politicians name here>"

Are they allowed do that??!

DadaKopf

Report it, just in case. It's probably bending the rules.

gandalf

Got an email from Olivia Mitchell grovelling for my 1st preference. I'm afraid they didn't do a good enough job with photoshop on your posters Olivia

2funki4wheelz

DadaKopf wrote:

Report it, just in case. It's probably bending the rules.

Report it where?, I got one too for Molly Buckley

athtrasna

If she never gave the candidate her number then it is illegal. If however she's a party member, or entered a competition from a leaflet and gave her number to the candidate or his party in anyway then it is her responsibility.

So many people give out their numbers too easily

_feedback_

2funki4wheelz wrote:

Report it where?, I got one too for Molly Buckley

Yeah it was Molly Buckley she got it from too.... some wan in Offaly ...

BoozyBabe

I just made a complaint here:-

http://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Complaint_to_the_Data_Protection_Commissioner_Online_Form/249.htm

Fcuk them!!!
Next time they'll be hassling us with phone calls.
Enough's enough!!

govinda

Thanks for the link Boozybabe, I've just made a complaint too. Have received one from Noel Dempsey and one from Molly Buckley. No idea how either obtained my number - am in Meath East, understand Molly Buckley is Laois/Offaly......bizarre (also want ND strung up, not re-elected!)

murphaph

BoozyBabe wrote:

I just made a complaint here:-

http://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Complaint_to_the_Data_Protection_Commissioner_Online_Form/249.htm

Fcuk them!!!
Next time they'll be hassling us with phone calls.
Enough's enough!!

I got a phonecall from one of Leo Varadkar's 'people' about a week ago. Dunno how they got my number. Don't think I'm in the book. Anyway, it annoyed me tbh but I want FF out so much that I'll still give him a first preference. Dublin West is such a boring constituency. When do we get our fourth seat!

viking

Got one from Molly Buckley too this morning.

I rang the number on this page:

http://www.politics.ie/wiki/index.php?title=Molly_Buckley

I spoke to a gentleman who informed me that they sent out a text message this morning but some people who shouldn't have got the message did, I wasn't the first person to call regarding it. He gave some excuse about a "glitch in the database" and apologised for the text however he couldn't tell me how the message was sent to my telephone number.

Told him I was making a complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner as I was concerned with how they got a hold of my number.

If you got the text, make sure to give that number a call (057 9341357) and let Molly know how annoyed you are at receiving her text. Email the DPC also with your complaint.

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I've just lodged the complaint to the Data Protection Officer too... I didn't recieve it but two people here have now got it! It's ridiculous .....

Stark

"Glitch in the database" doesn't explain how they ended up with your number in the first place. Would certainly be very interesting to find out where they got it from.

Tbh, I'm a little peeved at getting so much flyer crap addressed to me from politicians despite opting out of the edited register.

viking

The funny thing is that I'm not in Molly Buckley constituency so I couldn't even give her my No.1 even if I was swayed by her unsolicited text message...

athtrasna

Stark wrote:

"Glitch in the database" doesn't explain how they ended up with your number in the first place. Would certainly be very interesting to find out where they got it from.

Tbh, I'm a little peeved at getting so much flyer crap addressed to me from politicians despite opting out of the edited register.

The edited register applies only to direct marketing by companies.

The register is after all a register of electors and if you're on the register you will be contacted by politicians - they get the complete register not the edited one.

BoozyBabe

Just got this reply in my email:-

Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Ireland

Electronic Message


Relating To : 2/21/1 - Standard enquiry - Ms XXXXXXXXXXX

From : XXXXXXXXXXX/DPC/JSECTOR
To : XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
cc :
bcc:

Brief Description : canvassing text
Comments :

Dear Ms XXXXX

I refer to your email concerning an unsolicited text message sent to you by
Molly Buckley.

While the Data Protection Acts contain provisions to protect individuals
from receiving unsolicited direct marketing communications including text
messages, these provisions do not apply to direct mailing or texting
carried out in the course of political activities by a political party or
its members, or by a candidate for election to, or a holder of, elective
political office. In addition, the electoral register may be used for
sending addressed mail for political purposes. Accordingly, the sending of
material such as that which you have received from Mr. Dempsey does not
constitute a breach of the data protection legislation.

Yours sincerely

It's a disgrace that they're allowed to do this type of sh!t, while no one else is.

I know I'd rather get a 'SPECIAL OFFER' unsolicited text than some twat of a politician trying to get my vote!!!

kmick

Lets try and get hold of their mobile numbers and spam them.

slumped

kmick wrote:

Lets try and get hold of their mobile numbers and spam them.

yes. because THAT makes sense.........

grumpytrousers

Further to boozybabes message to the data protection crowd, a mate of mine got the same thing, and i suggested asking 'how the frig did molly buckley get my number'...so my mate did this and here's the response she got...

---

Original Message

---

From: XYZe@dataprotection.ie]
Sent: 24 May 2007 16:07
To: Joe Bloggs
Subject: Standard enquiry Mr Joe Bloggs


Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Ireland

Electronic Message


Relating To : 2/21/1 - Standard enquiry - Mr Joe Bloggs

From : XYZ/DPC/JSECTOR
To : JOE@JOEBLOGGS.COM
cc :
bcc:

Brief Description : Complaint
Comments :


Dear Mr Bloggs

Under the Data Protection Act you would normally be able to ask where they
got your mobile no from & the Data Controller would have to supply you with
the information. In circumstances where a politician uses your mobile no,
you can ask them here they got it, but there is no obligation on them under
the act to provide you with it. As they have an exemptions under the act,
we can only work within these regulations. I hope this answers your
question.

Yours sincerely,
XYZ

24/05/2007


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Without wanting to break the law or owt, does anybody have any suggestions as to what one could do with the telephone number of a person who sends these texts; i'm gonna assume that a politician isn't going to use software to send the spams, rather it was a bulk buy of a load of texts and probably sent over t'internet.

i'm thinking subscription services that i could sign somebody up for that at least would be somewhat annoying...

lostexpectation

well more and more people are listing mobiles as the only number but I've been getting the occasional call in an to be unnamed directories enquiries company where you only get a mobile number for someone if you provide full name and address(and via electoral register politicians would have em). But people have been asking me about a candidate calling them and howd he get my number? but most peoples mobile numbers simply aren't listed ( cos they havn't entered them themselves) and somehow the politicians have gotten them anyway.

I'd look at canvasser you may know?

grumpytrousers

in the normal course of events, i'd believe that; but the candidates in question seem to be 'carpet bombing', even outside their constituencies, so i reckon it's just work experience kids plugging random numbers into phones...

is it? Seems a ridiculous waste of money, as you've only a One in <how many constituencies are there> shot of hitting a potential voter?

cmurph

my sister in law got a text last week from a ff candidate in co.limerick....and her daughter also got one...her daughter is 13 !!

then this morning at 8am my sil got a phone call from the same politician ..she didn't answer it, but presumes it was again looking for support...


if anything it has put her off giving him her no.1 just for being so pushy and annoying!

viking

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhkfcwausnql/

The Data Protection Commissioner said it received complaints from consumers who received canvass texts on their mobile phone from candidates.

AidoCQS

Election 2007: Watchdog probes text canvassing

Gumbyman

Christ would ye relax? A text. How long does it take to read it? Personally I'd rather all politicians sent me a text then the paper through my letterbox. The first casualty of democracy is trees.

I don't understand the outrage of being contacted by text. If you don't want to be contactable then move into a cave here www.CavesToLetOnAranIsland.com. Is it just texts that bug you people or do you call the guards or neighourhood watch when a canvasser calls to your door?

Fact of the matter is that it is a tight election and it is hard for candidates to make contact with the electorate. You got texted. Big swing of mickey. Get over it. Christ.

JDxtra

Gumbyman wrote:

Christ would ye relax? A text. How long does it take to read it? Personally I'd rather all politicians sent me a text then the paper through my letterbox. The first casualty of democracy is trees.

I don't understand the outrage of being contacted by text. If you don't want to be contactable then move into a cave here www.CavesToLetOnAranIsland.com. Is it just texts that bug you people or do you call the guards or neighourhood watch when a canvasser calls to your door?

Fact of the matter is that it is a tight election and it is hard for candidates to make contact with the electorate. You got texted. Big swing of mickey. Get over it. Christ.

I disagree 100%. Unsolicited texts are a nuisance - and they are dead right to chase this up with the Data Protection commissioner - especially since we don't know where they are getting the mobile numbers from.

Gumbyman

The number probably came from somebody who gave it to the politician. A friend/relative who volunteered it.

How hard is it to text back and say "Stop sending me text messages"? I imagine it is easier to do that and be civil than to contact the jaysus DPA authorities. If your neighbours had a party in the middle of the night would you call over and ask them to keep it down for the child sleeping or would you call the cops straight away? There are better things to get worked up over.

grumpytrousers

Gumbyman wrote:

The number probably came from somebody who gave it to the politician. A friend/relative who volunteered it.

How hard is it to text back and say "Stop sending me text messages"? I imagine it is easier to do that and be civil than to contact the jaysus DPA authorities. If your neighbours had a party in the middle of the night would you call over and ask them to keep it down for the child sleeping or would you call the cops straight away? There are better things to get worked up over.

You're not Molly Buckley, are you?

Gumbyman

lol She wishes!! I don't even know who Molly Buckley is.

Our man in Havana

Tom Parlon was also texting yesterday. Also a Laois/Offaly runner.

thebman

Gumbyman wrote:

The number probably came from somebody who gave it to the politician. A friend/relative who volunteered it.

How hard is it to text back and say "Stop sending me text messages"? I imagine it is easier to do that and be civil than to contact the jaysus DPA authorities. If your neighbours had a party in the middle of the night would you call over and ask them to keep it down for the child sleeping or would you call the cops straight away? There are better things to get worked up over.

Why the hell should someone have to? They shouldn't be contacting people who didn't give them permission to. Its a common courtesy most people pay each other. I know I don't go ringing or texting random people. If I got one of those, I'd be incredibly pissed off about it.

Replying stop probably won't do anything anyway as it probably runs off a server somewhere (an eircom server I reckon for some favours after the election *national broadband scheme). Is it only FF/PD candidates so far that have been at this nonsense?

slogue

Got 2 from James (caught drunk driving wrong way on dual carriage way) McDaid.
Put me of voting for him completely as I know he got my name and number from a previous employer.
Can I report employer?