The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said such messaging was illegal and it would contact companies to remind them of their responsibilities and check their safeguarding practices.
Emily Keaney, deputy commissioner of regulator policy, warned firms"there can be no looking the other way".
"People have the right to order a pizza, give their email for a receipt, or have shopping delivered, without then being asked for sex or a date a little while later," she said. "They have a right to know that when they hand over their personal information, that it will not then be used in ways that they would not be comfortable with."
According to the ICO's research, 17% of the public have had their personal information given for a business reason used for a romantic or sexual proposition. This includes 30% of those aged 18 to 24, 29% of those aged 25 to 34, and 25% of those aged 35 to 44.Read more:
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