The UK's data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has received complaints concerning BrewDog founder James Watt's reported attempts to contact former shareholders. These outreach efforts are reportedly part of Watt's bid to buy back the brewery.
Tilray Brands, the current owner of BrewDog, has stated that it did not acquire shareholder data when it purchased the company's brand and assets. A spokesperson for Tilray Brands clarified that the records system containing shareholder information remains under the control of BrewDog plc, which is currently in administration. Tilray Brands acquired only a customer CRM database of individuals who had explicitly opted into BrewDog communications.
The company emphasized that its current management team has no affiliation with or responsibility for James Watt's personal business activities, including his separate venture, Second Best. Furthermore, Tilray Brands stated it did not authorize, facilitate, or participate in any communications sent to former Equity for Punks investors, nor did it permit the use of any acquired data for such purposes. The company underscored its commitment to data privacy, confirming that no data held by Tilray Brands has been shared with external entities or former directors.
BrewDog was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie. The company became known for its craft beer and its Equity for Punks crowdfunding initiative, which allowed customers to invest in the business. In 2022, it was reported that BrewDog was exploring a potential sale, with speculation that private equity firms were interested. Tilray Brands, a global cannabis company, completed its acquisition of the BrewDog brand and assets in June 2023.