Based on the GDPR’s position on the use of personal data for direct marketing purposes, which of the following is true about Louis’s rights as a data subject?

SCENARIO

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Louis, a long-time customer of Bedrock Insurance, was involved in a minor car accident a few months ago. Although no one was hurt, Louis has been plagued by texts and calls from a company called Accidentable offering to help him recover compensation for personal injury. Louis has heard about insurance companies selling customers’ data to third parties, and he’s convinced that Accidentable must have gotten his information from Bedrock Insurance.

Louis has also been receiving an increased amount of marketing information from Bedrock, trying to sell him their full range of their insurance policies.

Perturbed by this, Louis has started looking at price comparison sites on the internet and has been shocked to find that other insurers offer much cheaper rates than Bedrock, even though he has been a loyal customer for many years. When his Bedrock policy comes up for renewal, he decides to switch to Zantrum Insurance.

In order to activate his new insurance policy, Louis needs to supply Zantrum with information about his No Claims bonus, his vehicle and his driving history. After researching his rights under the GDPR, he writes to ask Bedrock to transfer his information directly to Zantrum. He also takes this opportunity to ask Bedrock to stop using his personal data for marketing purposes.

Bedrock supplies Louis with a PDF and XML (Extensible Markup Language) versions of his No Claims Certificate, but tells Louis it cannot transfer his data directly to Zantrum as this is not technically feasible. Bedrock also explains that Louis’s contract included a provision whereby Louis agreed that his data could be used for marketing purposes; according to Bedrock, it is too late for Louis to change his mind about this. It angers Louis when he recalls the wording of the contract, which was filled with legal jargon and very confusing.

In the meantime, Louis is still receiving unwanted calls from Accidentable Insurance. He writes to Accidentable to ask for the name of the organization that supplied his details to them. He warns Accidentable that he plans to complain to the data protection authority, because he thinks their company has been using his data unlawfully. His letter states that he does not want his data being used by them in any way.

Accidentable’s response letter confirms Louis’s suspicions. Accidentable is Bedrock Insurance’s wholly owned subsidiary, and they received information about Louis’s accident from Bedrock shortly after Louis submitted his accident claim. Accidentable assures Louis that there has been no breach of the GDPR, as Louis’s contract included, a provision in which he agreed to share his information with Bedrock’s affiliates for business purposes.

Louis is disgusted by the way in which he has been treated by Bedrock, and writes to them insisting that all his information be erased from their computer system.

Based on the GDPR’s position on the use of personal data for direct marketing purposes, which of the following is true about Louis’s rights as a data subject?
A . Louis does not have the right to object to the use of his data because he previously consented to it.
B . Louis has the right to object at any time to the use of his data and Bedrock must honor his request to cease use.
C . Louis has the right to object to the use of his data, unless his data is required by Bedrock for the purpose of exercising a legal claim.
D . Louis does not have the right to object to the use of his data if Bedrock can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing.

View Answer

Answer: B