The United Kingdom fined the operator £23.8 million due to failures in emergency communication for vulnerable citizens.

Fine for VIRGIN Media

According to The Sun: VIRGIN Media has been fined £23.8 million for putting vulnerable customers 'at risk of harm' during the transition to digital landline phones.

The regulator Ofcom launched an investigation after a number of 'serious incidents' related to the migration of telehealth clients in November and December 2023.

Telehealth services are generally used by elderly people and individuals with disabilities to ensure safety and access to urgent assistance. Authorities emphasized that during the transition to digital identifiers, sufficient support was not provided for vulnerable population groups.

“This serious breach resulted in vulnerable customers not receiving the necessary assistance in critical situations,' - said an Ofcom representative.

The company has already begun taking necessary measures to address the identified issues and improve its services to avoid similar situations in the future.

This fine highlights the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable customers, especially during technical transitions. Given the growing reliance on digital technologies, enhanced monitoring and ensuring support may become key aspects in the future development of telecommunications services.