Spam Regulation?

Some days it feels as though there is no regulation on spam. A new spam e-mail pops up, and I try to recall what Web site I created an account on, or where I’ve made an online payment.

In accordance with the Can-Spam Act of 2003, commercial mailers were given specific guidelines as to how they can obtain contact information. They are prohibited from hijacking personal information from Web sites or using an e-mail generator that selects random combination of letters and sends them out. In addition, all spam is required to have an opt-out option, so that you can be unregistered. These laws are not in place just to avoid annoyance, however. They also help protect children from inappropriate material and keep people from getting sucked into scams.

Some sites simply advertise for products, but others lure in Internet browsers and get them to fill in customer info, which can sometimes lead to identity theft. This spells out years of straightening out bad credit and can mean not being able to buy the house you want one day, or not being able to get your business off the ground.

It is not enough to rely on these laws or spam filters, as the real break through comes from people reporting their experiences with spam on a daily basis. The best way to make a difference is to report the spam to the Federal Trade Commission. It is only though the proactive reporting that spam filters can keep pace with the spammers.

Sarah Montrowl

(photo credit: wollbinho)

April 10th, 2009 by Tech Girl | Posted in Computing Tips | (1)