Key facts
- BrewDog founder James Watt is facing complaints to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
- The complaints relate to emails sent by Watt to former BrewDog shareholders regarding his bid to buy back the company.
- Recipients questioned how Watt obtained their contact details, raising concerns about potential GDPR breaches.
- Watt stated the communication was sent using lawfully obtained data and followed legal advice.
- Tilray, the current owner of BrewDog's brand and assets, stated it did not acquire shareholder data and has no involvement in Watt's activities.
James Watt, the founder of BrewDog, is under scrutiny from the UK's data privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), following complaints from former shareholders. The complaints stem from emails Watt sent to "equity punks" as part of his surprise bid to buy back the beer company, which was sold to US firm Tilray in March for £33 million. Many recipients expressed confusion and concern over how Watt obtained their contact details, suspecting a breach of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules.
Watt has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the communication was sent to fellow shareholders using lawfully obtained data and in connection with their legitimate interests. He did not elaborate on the source of the contact details. Several former shareholders have lodged complaints with the ICO, which is now reviewing the matter and has the power to impose fines if a GDPR breach is found.
Tilray, the current owner of BrewDog's brand, intellectual property, UK breweries, and 11 bars, has stated that it did not acquire the "Equity for Punks" shareholder data and has no affiliation with or responsibility for Watt's current business activities, including his venture called Second Best. A spokesperson for Tilray emphasized their commitment to data privacy and confirmed that no data held by Tilray Brands had been shared with external entities or former directors.
Legal experts have noted that while it is not yet clear if privacy laws were breached, the case raises significant questions about how the recipients were selected and whether the email campaign complied with regulations. Marc Knox, a former equity punk, echoed the sentiments of many, stating he was prompted to complain after seeing numerous others express similar concerns online.