Section 480-70-421. Fair use of customer information.

(1) Customer information includes the customer's name, address, telephone number, service level, credit and deposit information, and billing history.

(2) Companies must use customer information only for:

(a) Providing and billing for services the customer requests;

(b) Marketing new services or options to its customers; or

(c) Providing information to its customers.

(3) Any sale or release of customer information without the written permission of the customer is prohibited. The only exceptions to this rule are:

(a) Release of information to the commission to investigate or resolve complaints filed with the commission by a customer;

(b) Sharing nonpayment information with agencies the company engages to act as the company's agent in pursuing collection of past due accounts; and

(c) Release of information of a former customer for purposes of WAC 480-70-411 (1)(a).

(4) Companies are allowed to collect and release customer information in aggregate form if the aggregated information does not allow any specific customer to be identified.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 81.04.160, 81.77.030 and 80.01.040. WSR 01-08-012 (Docket No. TG-990161, General Order No. R-479), § 480-70-421, filed 3/23/01, effective 4/23/01.]

RCW 81.04.160, 81.77.030 and 80.01.040. WSR 01-08-012 (Docket No. TG-990161, General Order No. R-479), § 480-70-421, filed 3/23/01, effective 4/23/01.

Rules

480-70-411,