Reform UK risks violating data protection laws with its competition to win free energy bills for a year, according to lawyers and data experts. The party, led by Nigel Farage, launched the lottery on Tuesday to promote its policy of cutting energy bills. Entrants must provide their name, email, telephone number, and disclose how they voted at the last election and how they intend to vote at the next one.
Mariano delli Santi, legal and policy officer at Open Rights Group, said: 'Reform are asking the public to hand over sensitive data about their voting habits without being transparent about how it will be used.' He described this as a 'clear breach' of transparency obligations under UK data protection law. Eleonor Duhs, a privacy barrister, noted that political opinions are protected under UK GDPR and questioned the basis for processing such sensitive data.
Another lawyer, speaking anonymously, highlighted the principle of data minimisation, arguing that Reform should only collect data necessary for the prize draw. The form asks for political affiliation, which goes beyond what is needed. Reform UK defended the contest, with a spokesperson stating: 'We are entirely confident that this competition is legal.'
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it is in regular contact with political parties about data use and encouraged people with concerns to complain. Reform UK also announced plans to cut energy bills by removing green levies and VAT if it wins the next election.
