To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he has taken to protect consumers from phishing texts; and if he will make a statement. (180379)

Under the provisions of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, any unsolicited text messages are illegal. Text messages should only be sent with the prior consent of the individual subscriber, but there is an exemption where the subscriber has given his or her mobile telephone number direct to a company in the context of the purchase of a product or service. Enforcement is undertaken by the Information Commissioner.