Ofcom

The complainant has requested communications between Ofcom and the Phonepaid Services Authority on the subject of refund methods for unauthorised debts by premium rate services. The request was to include legal advice. Ofcom identified information which related to a specific consumer complaint that had been received but refused to provide this on the basis of section 36, 42 and 44 of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that Ofcom has correctly engaged section 42 in relation to the legal advice it holds and section 36 in relation to other exchanges between itself and the Phonepaid Services Authority. In both cases the Commissioner finds that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. She therefore requires no steps to be taken.