A Code of conduct to prevent mobile spam

According to Telecom Paper, Dutch mobile operators have reached an agreement on May 1st about how to prevent spam by using SMS messages. The new code of conduct prevents unwanted SMS messages the receiver has to pay for and regulates how to unsubscribe once information by means of SMS is asked for.

An article in Wired yesterday entitled «Spam Invasion: Your Cell Phone», US consumers are warned that text-messaging on cell phones could tempt spammers to reach out to a new mobile audience. Andrea Blander, corporate counsel for AT&T Wireless Services is quoted as saying "It's going to be a problem for us". Maybe AT&T should check with mobile operator O2, who initiated the code of conduct in the Netherlands. And elsewhere in the world regulators are taking measures:

-- The South Africa's Marketing Federation(MFSA) has set up a code of practice online at SMSCode, that it is to govern SMS messaging (cf South Africa launches SMS spam support service posting in textually.org).

-- The Japanese has passed new legislation targeting unscrupulous advertisers in a move to crack down on mobile phone spam. Offenders will receive a cease-and-desist order from the Public Management Ministry and failure to comply could result in a 500,000 yen (£2,700) fine. (cf Ananova).

-- In England, ICSTIS (the Independant Commutter for the Supervision of the Standards of Telephon Information Service) has taken action by fining spam offenders. (cf The Register).

emily | 10:01 AM | Spam, Viruses and Hoaxes |
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