UK Cracks Down on Spammers with New Privacy Law

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finally ! louis

----- Original Message -----
From: "Henk Elegeert" <hmje at home.nl>
To: <d66 at nic.surfnet.nl>
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 4:23 PM
Subject: UK Cracks Down on Spammers with New Privacy Law


> REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl
>
>
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030918/wr_nm/tech_intern
et_spam_dc_2
>
> "
> UK Cracks Down on Spammers with New Privacy Law
> Thu Sep 18,11:03 AM ET
>
> By Bernhard Warner, European Internet Correspondent LONDON
> (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday became the second country in
> Europe to criminalize spam, that unwanted barrage of e-mail
> and mobile phone text messages that promise get-rich-quick
> schemes, cheap home loans and a better sex life.
>
>
> The unsolicited messages, which industry groups say account
> for more than half of all e-mails sent, have become the
> scourge of Internet users everywhere.
>
> Under the new UK law, spammers face a 5,000 pound ($8,057)
> fine if convicted in a magistrates court. The fine from a
> jury trial would be unlimited. Spammers would not face
> prison, according to the new law, which was introduced by
> Communications Minister Stephen Timms on Thursday.
>
> Spam is defined under the UK law as any messages sent to
> consumers without having first established a consensual
> customer relationship.
>
> "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," Timms said in a statement.
>
> The UK's Office of the Information Commissioner will enforce
> the regulations, which go into effect on December 11.
>
> The law does not however cover workplace e-mail addresses.
> Anti-spam proponents had been calling for a blanket law that
> would criminalize all forms of spam.
>
> "To say it is permissable to spam somebody at work but not
> at home could put an extremely large burden on British
> businesses," said Steve Linford, founder of anti-spam group
> Spamhaus Project. "It says it's okay to spam companies."
>
> The UK law follows an EU directive passed last year. Earlier
> this month, Italian lawmakers imposed tough new regulations
> to fine spammers up to 90,000 euros ($101,600) and impose a
> maximum prison term of three years.
>
> Anti-spam groups cheered the Italian law, but acknowledged
> it likely would do little to stop the unwanted flow of
> messages. The biggest spammers are based in the United
> States and Asia. Strenuous anti-spam laws there are seen as
> key to shutting off the valve.
>
> The UK legislation also sets guidelines for "cookies" --
> electronic identification tags that help Web sites identify
> repeat visitors. Under the new law, consumers have the right
> to insist the Web site not store their personal information.
>
> And, starting next year, businesses and individuals will be
> able to opt out of telephone marketing schemes.
> "
>
> Eindelijk .......
>
> Henk Elegeert
>
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