Institute leads charge on possible EU telephone fundraising crackdown

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 10 Nov 2009

The Institute of Fundraising is drawing together a coalition to fight against proposed changes to the European Union Data Protection Directive, which could impose tougher restrictions on direct marketing and fundraising Europe-wide.

The EU has established a working party (Article 29 Working Party), to explore possible revisions to the directive which could involve limiting the ability of organisations to access personal data for fundraising calls.

Louise Richards, director of campaigns and policy, said “What we’re concerned about is that changes to European Union rules could well mean tighter controls on telephone fundraising.”

Richards said that the Institute is particularly concerned that the working party may adopt the German model, in which people have to opt-in to receive calls. She said that after a high profile loss of data in the country, the government introduced tougher restrictions and “telephone fundraising has almost ground to a halt”.

“If [the EU] do tighten the rules like the German government has done, obviously it’s going to have a big impact on charities, particularly on telephone fundraising.”

Richards is due to meet with representatives of the Direct Marketing Association later this month to discuss potentially linking up to make a submission to the working party. She will also coordinate efforts with other country members of the European Fundraising Association.

Institute chief executive, and president of the European Fundraising Association, Lindsay Boswell said the Institute has "the backing of 18 [EFA] member countries and a further five observer status countries to create a powerful and strong voice".

Richards said the Institute is planning on submitting a response, as part of the coalition of fundraising associations, in December.

The working party is likely to adopt an opinion on possible reform by the end of the year.

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