Brits warned as illegal robo-callers fined £550,000 • The Register

The UK's data protection watchdog fined two Brit businesses with offshore call centers £550,000 (c $735,000) over illegal automated marketing calls.

Both companies equipped their offshored call handlers with pre-recorded messages to select when targeting elderly and other vulnerable people in the UK.

Andy Curry, head of investigations at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said: "We've heard disturbing reports of how unscrupulous companies are using robo technology to fool elderly and vulnerable people.

"We understand how distressing these calls can be and will work on the public's behalf to catch those responsible."

The ICO said the use of what it calls "robo call technology" – avatar software that allows callers to present themselves as people they are not – is making it mor