THE SPAM STOPPER

THE General Data Protection Regulation is the most important change to privacy rules in 20 years.

From next Friday, people have more control over how personal information is used. Companies must ask permission to collect and use information such as names, email addresses and internet browsing habits, and are contacting customers on their databases.

Firms that break the rules face fines of up to £18m, or 4pc of their annual turnover.