Bill Introduced To Block Mobile Spam

Two U.S. Senators have introduced legislation aimed at curbing unsolicited text messages by bolstering government oversight of commercial messaging. Mediapost reports.

The proposed m-SPAM Act co-sponsored by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) would give the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission greater authority to restrict mobile spam and block commercial text messages to wireless numbers listed on the Do-Not-Call registry.

"Mobile spam invades both a consumer's cell phone and monthly bill," said Sen. Snowe, in a statement. "There is also increasing concern that mobile spam will become more than just an annoyance -- the viruses and malicious spyware that are often attached to traditional spam will most likely be more prevalent on wireless devices through m-spam."

The 2004 CAN-SPAM Act established regulations to prohibit sending unsolicited commercial email messages to wireless phones without permission. The new bill (S. 788) would extend those protections to text messages.

emily | 8:01 AM | Spam, Viruses and Hoaxes |
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