Norwegian newspaper Rune Flåten has been fined 45,000 kroner for sending text messages to nine car owners. More fines may be on the way.
Dag Rune Flåten has been fined 45,000 Norwegian kroner for sending text messages to nine drivers.
The Norwegian Consumer Authority assesses that this is illegal marketing because the inquiries were sent without consent.
Flåten has previously offered help to car owners with problems related to the Volkswagen diesel scandal, which also affected Norway. In this regard, he has contacted a number of car owners to offer his services.
This is what Norwegian Motor writes.
Consumer authorities believe that car owners have the right to be protected from unwanted messages.
SMS can trigger even more fines
Dag Rune Flåten was already informed in 2023 that he should therefore stay away from car owners. But now even more stalls may be on the way.
According to the decision, Flåten can be forced to pay a fine of 5,000 kroner per text message if he flouts the ban. And he has continued to do so.
The Danish Consumer Authority believes that Flåten sent nine text messages, which resulted in a total fine of 45,000 kroner. This corresponds to 29,000 kroner.
If Flåten continues to ignore the ban, he risks receiving even higher fines, according to the Norwegian authority.
A letter from the Danish Consumer Authority makes it clear that further violations may result in fines.
– We would like to point out that the Danish Consumer Authority may in future impose a penalty payment if we become aware that you have violated the decision several times in the time that has already passed since the decision.
– Or if you violate the decision again in the future, the letter says.
The fleet has not responded to Motors' request for comment on the case. But this is not the first time the man has been fined for 'chasing' Volkswagen owners. Read more about it here .
The ban on sending text messages is part of a broader effort against unsolicited marketing. The Danish Consumer Authority assesses that such communications may be intrusive and in violation of applicable regulations.
According to Norwegian law, companies must have consent before they send marketing messages to private individuals.
For several years, Flåten has worked to help car owners affected by problems related to Volkswagen diesel cars. He has been in contact with many car owners in this regard.
But the Norwegian legal system has also rejected the possibility that Norwegians can sue the Norwegian VW importer for the diesel scandal.
The Danish Consumer Authority has previously stated that they will follow cases like this closely to ensure that the legislation is complied with.
It is unknown whether the Navy will appeal the verdict or change its marketing practices. But fines for the diesel scandals are generally still being rolled out.
Most recently, both Mercedes and BMW have had to pay large fines for manipulating diesel cars. Volvo had to cough up the same. This happened in September 2024.
