] British Gas was cited as the Most Invasive Company, after
] it declared that U.K. privacy rules prevented it from
] helping an elderly couple who were found dead of
] hypothermia in their home last winter, weeks after their
] gas service was cut off due to nonpayment of a 140-pound
] ($255) bill.
]
]
] British Gas said the Data Protection Act, intended to
] ensure that personal information is protected, prohibited
] it from reporting the situation to social services
] agencies that could have helped the couple restore
] heating service.

[ oi. -k]