I recently saw on the news that SPAM was going to be made illegal and violators could actually faces charges.
Do you think that this will stop spam or will they just work their way around the law?
Also, anyone else have any more information on the new law?
Another important question is, will we see spammers arrested on COPS? That would be cool.
It’s not being made illegal. It’s just being regulated at the federal level. This preempts, in many cases, stricter state laws. So in some states, this is a green light for more spam.
lol!
No…don’t take Billy! He just play computer games!
Have you guys seen the news yet of Bush signing the documents?
I thought that was for NO SPAM
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2003/Dec/1022197.htm
I think it’s more accurate to say that they’ve made up new rules for spamming. So, if you follow the rules, it’s in essence now legal.
Does this mean that, from now on, those “If you don’t want any more E-mails from us, click HERE” buttons will actually work, rather than simply confirm that yours is an active E-mail address?
Note that the bill was heavily re-worded at the behest of the direct emailer’s lobby. (The equivalent of a “legitimate businessmen’s club”.)
It isn’t going to do anything good.
In fact, it calls for the setting of an opt out list. Such list will be available to spammers, etc.
In general, when states start passing laws the feds should be passing, the feds step in and overrule them.
Only very recently, since the Bush administration, has this become a general rule. In other words, when the people who long argued the states know more than the Federal government get into power . . .
Spam will now come from off shore, where US law can’t touch it. That is all.
The original mailer will be legally obligated to remove you from his list, but he may sell your address to anyone he likes, as it has been confirmed as active.
Pay careful attention to what Princhester posted. The spam will continue to come, but more of it will come from outside the U.S. So, the “unsubscribe” links should probably still be avoided, for the same reason one should avoid them now: replying in any way, shape, or form just confirms to the spammer that there’s a live person at that particular email address.
Also note that, under the Federal law, an individual may not pursue legal action against a spammer who he believes has violated the law. Only the government can go after the alleged violator.
As long as he didn’t sign with his real email address he should be fine.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by SPOOFE *
Does this mean that, from now on, those “If you don’t want any more E-mails from us, click HERE” buttons will actually work, rather than simply confirm that yours is an active E-mail address?/QUOTE] Yes, in the same way that mailing your keys to every potential car-theif will prevent them from busting your window when they steal your car.
In theory Spam is now illegal on this side of the pond but I do not know what affect this law will have. Full story here :-
Are other salted meat products going to be affected? Salami? Summer Sausage?
This legislation is not known as the “Can Spam” act for nothing.
In reality, it doesn’t do much of anything, except requiring a questionable “opt-out” requirement.
The few key provisions that may have helped, such as requiring a identifier in the subject line (e.g. “ADV: Print cartridges refills…”) were removed, or will be ineffective (such as the requirement that the FTC study a “Do Not Spam” list:
)
Some spammers are even under the impression that this legislation prohibits ISPs from blocking Spam! (It does nothing of the sort, but unfortunately I can’t find the article anymore - anyway this misconception is bound to cause trouble).
About the only really useful item is that spammers cannot (legally) use false header information, although it remains to be seen how effective this will be.
Interesting note: in the TheRegister.co.uk, a British IT on-line newsletter (they also have an American version), the general consensus was that this US law will allow so US spammers much latitude that the UK will be swamped by US spam, rendering the new UK anti-spam laws ineffective…