Slashdot Mirror
UK Makes Spamming a Fineable Offense
woodhouse writes "The BBC has an article about the new UK anti-spamming law which comes into force later this year. Under the new law, spammers can be fined up to 5000 pounds in a magistrates court, or an unlimited amount in the crown court. Sadly, prison terms won't be used to enforce of the new law."
UK bans spam messages
Spam said to make up half of all e-mails sent
The UK has made spam a criminal offence to try to stop the flood of unsolicited messages.
Under the new law, spammers could be fined 5,000 in a magistrates court or an unlimited penalty from a jury.
But they would not be sent to jail, according to the new measures introduced by Communications Minister Stephen Timms.
Spam has become the bane of internet users, with junk messages making up more than half of all e-mails sent.
Permission to send
"It's crucial that people feel safe and have confidence in utilising electronic communication technologies," said Mr Timms.
"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. "
The measures take effect on 11 December and will be enforced by the Information Commissioner.
Under the new law, companies will have to get permission from an individual before they can send them an e-mail or text message.
But the regulations do not cover business e-mail addresses, despite some calls for a blanket ban on spam.
The British measures are not as drastic as Italian anti-spam laws.
Earlier this month Italy imposed tough regulations to fine spammers up to 90,000 euros (66,000) and impose a maximum prison term of three years.
EU legislation banning unwanted e-mail is due to come into force on 31 October, but correspondents say that, given the global nature of the internet, it may have little effect.
Most spam comes from the United States and Asia, and will be outside its reach.
The EU legislation leaves it to each member state how to enforce the legislation, as long as the enforcement is "effective".
The UK legislation also sets guidelines for the use of cookies, electronic tags that help websites keep track of visitors.
In future, people will be able to insist that sites do not store their personal information.
CMDRTACO CHECK YOUR EMAIL!
I saw the part about not going to jail and that the UK doesn't have the same laws against cruel and unusual punishment, but 5000 pounds!
I mean, that like having Rossanne Bar sit on you or something. Could anyone live through that?
Oh, nevermind, pounds in UK are currency. My bad, that's right, you guys use metric too, don't you... Carry on, nothing to see here.
Norris/Palin 2012
Fact: We deserve leaders who can kick your ass and field dress your carcass.
to an employer who isnt interested in you be considered spamming too? .. to ... ooh I am in prison...
its gonna be like.. ooh I am unemployed
ROFL
You know if anyone is deserving of prison rape its spammers...
This is a joke. Prison rape is a serious issue and no-one needs to be subjected to it....
ok even sub humans like spammers
I'm sure the British Spam police are going to go really far out of their way to nab spammers who operate from the Cayman Islands or other places not within the borders of Great Britain...