[5][6][7] The stylised 'giffgaff' brand was founded[8][9] by Gav Thompson a former marketing executive for Telefónica UK and was launched online only, on 25 November 2009.

[1] At launch, Giffgaff's first product was a prepaid SIM card providing all standard 2G and 3G mobile phone services and charging on a pay-as-you-go basis.

[10] In June 2012, it was announced that customers could renew "goodybags" automatically via a PayPal account when saved on their platform payment profile.

[14] In March 2014, Giffgaff announced that it would add a line of 4G LTE "goodybags" with purchase available starting April 2014.

iPhone devices went on sale starting 4 June 2014, to accompany a wide range of manufacturers including Samsung handsets.

On 2 November 2020, Giffgaff announced that they are terminating their business relationship with RateSetter, the former peer-to-peer lender, now owned by Metro Bank.

For the first time, customers would be financially penalised for terminating their bundle purchases early, prior to the expiry of their entire contract term.

Non-account-specific problems are raised via an online community system and are answered by other Giffgaff members in exchange for "payback points" (a virtual currency).

Account-specific queries are directed to "agents", who are contracted by Giffgaff and partnered through Firstsource Solutions to administer all their account matters.

Previously members who suggested ideas on their Giffgaff Labs platform (which closed in 2021) also received payback points.

Super recruiters are also eligible to receive enhanced benefits, such as dedicated email support, marketing materials, phone calls with employees, and visits to Giffgaff's HQ.

Giffgaff noted that their customer service agents had used the clause above incorrectly and promised to rectify this.

[60] However on 20 October 2020, the company reintroduced a version of their unlimited monthly (Golden) Goodybag to recurring customers, priced at £35.

[21] In May 2013, Giffgaff ran an online and television advertising campaign with the strapline "Don't be scared", which featured zombies converging on a village.

The advert featured a crowd of people dressed in white in an empty swimming pool throwing guts at each other.

The ASA upheld the complaint that the content was in violation of BCAP rule 4.1 for harm and offence and recommended that the advert not appear again in its current form.