UPDATED: 6.53PM Lawyers say it would be legal for chain store Dick Smith to sell its customer database, despite previously promising customers it that wouldn't happen.

After collapsing in January, the chain announced it's closing all its stores as receivers Ferrier Hodgson can't find a suitable buyer.

An ad has been placed in the Australian Financial Review seeking expressions of interest in the company's data.

Speaking on behalf of the receivers, Bell Gully's Tania Goatley says it would be well within the law.

Options may include selling group data that doesn't identify any one person, or obtaining consent from customers before the sale goes ahead.

However Consumer New Zealand’s recommending Dick Smith customers to unsubscribe from it's mailing list.

CEO Sue Chetwin says customers may be able to stop their information from being sold if they opt out of the mailing list before a sale goes through, if one does go ahead.

"It's something they can simply do and once they've unsubscribed from the newsletter I guess, their information would not be available for sale."

The Privacy Commission investigated the advert earlier today and has been assured by Ferrier Hodgson it will fully comply with it’s obligations under the New Zealand and Australian Privacy Acts.

 

At the bottom of this window, which appears when you go to sign up for their emails,  Dick Smith says they "will never sell or share your information"