IrelandA charity uses my data for fundraising. Can I object?
Yes, you can object to a charity using your personal data for fundraising under the Data Protection Act 2018. The charity must stop using your data for that purpose as soon as possible after receiving your objection.
What the Law Says
The Data Protection Act 2018 gives individuals in Ireland a clear right to object to their personal data being used for direct marketing — including fundraising by charities.
Under Section 57 of the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes. This includes fundraising activities carried out by charities.
Once you make an objection, the charity must stop using your data for fundraising 'without delay'. There is no requirement for you to give a reason, and the charity cannot charge you for complying.
This right applies regardless of whether your data was collected directly from you or obtained from another source — for example, through a donation, event registration, or public list.
Statutory TextThe data subject shall have the right to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for the purposes of direct marketing.
— Data Protection Act 2018, s. 57 — Right to object to processing for direct marketing
What to Do
Contact the charity in writing (email or letter) stating clearly that you object to your personal data being used for fundraising.
Include your name and any identifying details (e.g., donor reference number) to help them locate your record.
Keep a copy of your objection and note the date you sent it.
If the charity continues to contact you for fundraising after a reasonable time (e.g., within 30 days), you may complain to the Data Protection Commission.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.