ICO reprimands Sky Betting and gaming for using cookies without consent

17 September 202417 September 2024 Legal, News Business Matters
IHG debuts Holiday Inn & Suites in Pakistan IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is expanding its footprint in Pakistan by signing a franchise agreement with MGC Developments to launch Holiday Inn & Suites Islamabad DHA II. Scheduled to open in August 2028, the 150-key hotel in Pakistan’s capital will join IHG’s portfolio of more than 1,000 operational Holiday Inn hotels globally.  A pioneer brand with a rich heritage, Holiday Inn has continued to evolve through the years, keeping the guest at the heart of all innovation and earning its status as one of the world’s most loved, trusted and recognized hotel brands. Designed for the contemporary traveler, Holiday Inn & Suites Islamabad DHA II will feature the brand-transforming Open Lobby concept, offering guests a revolutionary approach and in-hotel experience. The new concept reimagines the traditional hotel lobby into a multi-functional hub featuring trendy and modern designs, where guests can seamlessly blend work, grab a bite, or unwind. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “The signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Islamabad DHA II is a significant milestone in our strategic expansion across the Southwest Asia region. With the capital city of Pakistan known for its beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and strategic location, we are confident that our partnership with MGC Developments will further support the tourism sector, offering guests a comfortable stay and showcasing international standards of hospitality.” “We are thrilled to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts, a globally acclaimed hospitality leader. This venture is part of our bigger goal to deliver hundreds of cutting-edge projects in Pakistan. We envision blending MGC’s distinctive experiences with IHG's unmatched hospitality expertise while fulfilling the city’s hospitality needs and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth,” said theFounder & CEO of MGC Developments, Ch. Nouman Iftikhar, during the signing ceremony. The signing capitalizes on the untapped and unbranded hospitality sector in Pakistan, which is expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing demand that has been recorded in the country. Deeply rooted in the Holiday Inn brand ethos to deliver high quality and authentic travel experience to all guests, the hotel will feature thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, bar, fitness center, an outdoor, pool, spa, meeting spaces and high-speed wi-fi. The facilities will be complemented by warm and welcoming service, offering the brand’s renowned ‘Kids Stay and Eat Free’ program. In addition to its broad range of facilities, the newly-built hotel in DHA Phase II will offer guests unparalleled access to cityscape, entertainment, recreation, and dining. Islamabad is also a popular destination among domestic and international tourists, as visitors can indulge in the city’s rich cultural heritage and explore several iconic landmarks such as the Faisal Mosque, Shakarparian National Park, and Pakistan Monument. IHG currently has 193 hotels operating across 9 brands in South West Asia, Middle East and Africa, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 160 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a reprimand to Bonne Terre Limited, trading as Sky Betting and Gaming, for unlawfully processing personal data through advertising cookies without obtaining user consent.

From 10 January to 3 March 2023, the company collected and shared personal information with advertising technology companies as soon as users accessed the SkyBet website, before they had the opportunity to accept or reject cookies. This led to personalised advertising targeting users without their prior consent or knowledge.

The ICO launched an investigation following a complaint from Clean Up Gambling, which raised concerns that Sky Betting and Gaming might be misusing personal data to target vulnerable gamblers. Although the investigation found no evidence of deliberate misuse, the regulator concluded that Sky Betting and Gaming’s use of cookies was not lawful, transparent, or fair. In response to the findings, Sky Betting and Gaming made changes in March 2023 to allow users to reject advertising cookies before any data was shared.

This enforcement action is part of the ICO’s broader effort to ensure that websites offer users a fair and informed choice regarding the use of their personal data for targeted advertising. Last year, the ICO reviewed the UK’s top 100 websites and found that over half were not compliant with data protection laws concerning advertising cookies. Following warnings from the ICO, 52 of the 53 websites contacted made necessary changes, with gossip website Tattle Life remaining the only site that failed to engage and is now under investigation.

Stephen Bonner, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, highlighted the importance of user consent in online advertising. “We’ve all seen adverts online that seem designed specifically for us, such as an ad for trainers after signing up to a gym online,” he said. “Some people may be happy to consent to receive these, but others may not be comfortable receiving similar adverts, especially when it comes to sensitive aspects of our digital activity.” Bonner noted the importance of offering users clear and balanced choices, such as ‘accept all’ and ‘reject all’ buttons being equally prominent, allowing people to easily control how their personal data is used.

The ICO’s action against Sky Betting and Gaming serves as a warning to other organisations that there will be consequences for breaching data protection laws. Bonner emphasized that the ICO will continue to scrutinise other frequently visited websites to ensure compliance, urging businesses to review their cookie consent processes. “Our enforcement action against Sky Betting and Gaming is a warning that there will be consequences if organisations breach the law, and people are denied the choice over targeted advertising,” Bonner stated.

As part of its strategy to uphold online privacy rights, the ICO has also audited several data management platforms to assess their handling of personal information, with some now under investigation for potential non-compliance with data protection laws. The ICO plans to publish updated guidance on the use of cookies and tracking technologies later this year, as well as its stance on the ‘consent or pay’ business model following a consultation.

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