Spammers Now Need Permission in Britain

[Henk Elegeert]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030919/ap_on_hi_te/spam_ban&cid=562&ncid=716

"
Technology - AP
Spammers Now Need Permission in Britain

By BETH GARDINER, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Spammers beware. Britain has announced that those
sending unsolicited e-mail must get recipients' agreement in
advance. Violators will be subject to fines of 5,000 pounds
(US$8,000) or more and possible lawsuits from those they've
targeted.

The rule, aimed at shrinking the heavy traffic of junk
e-mail messages, also applies to unsolicited text messages
sent to mobile phones, the government said Thursday.

It makes an exception in cases where the sender and
recipient have done business with one another in the past,
so companies will still be allowed to contact former
customers with new offers and other information, the
Department of Trade and Industry said.

"These regulations will help combat the global nuisance of
unsolicited e-mails and texts by enshrining in law rights
that give consumers more say over who can use their personal
details," Communications Minister Stephen Timms said in
announcing the new regulations.

But the government won't be able to touch bulk e-mailers who
target Britons from outside the country, and spammers'
anonymity may make it hard to impose fines even on those
operating in Britain.

The ban applies only to individual addressees, not
businesses. The Trade and Industry department said
businesses told officials they wanted to continue receiving
electronic solicitations.

Britain issued the new rules to comply with a European Union
(news - web sites) directive that requires member states to
act against spam by Oct. 31. The government introduced the
new rules Thursday and they will come into force on Dec. 11.

Violators will be subject to fines of up to 5,000 pounds
(US$8,000) if a complaint against them is resolved by a
low-level magistrates court or an unlimited fine if the case
goes to a jury, the Trade and Industry department said.
Those who have been damaged by illegal spam will have the
right to sue, it added.

The new rules also limit companies' ability to use "cookie"
files and other devices which let them obtain information
about users who visit their Web sites. Companies will now be
required to ask users' permission before taking such data
and retaining or selling it.

The new regulations also include an extension of a rule
announced last year that allows individuals to bar
telemarketers from calling them. Now businesses can choose
not to receive such calls, the government said.

The Australian government announced even tougher plans to
crack down on spam Thursday, proposing to fine those who
send unsolicited messages up to A$1.1 million (US$726,000) a
day.
"

Henk Elegeert

**********
Dit bericht is verzonden via de informele D66 discussielijst (D66 at nic.surfnet.nl).
Aanmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SUBSCRIBE D66
Afmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SIGNOFF D66
Het on-line archief is te vinden op: http://listserv.surfnet.nl/archives/d66.html
**********