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UK Spam Law Goes Live

Posted by michael on from the good-luck dept.

loonix_gangsta writes "So, the UK has taken matters into its own hands and, as of today, is making it a criminal offence to send e-mails or text messages unless the recipient has agreed in advance to accept them. The law comes into force today. Unfortunately much spam originates from the US so the UK had previously asked the US to co-operate."

9 of 215 comments (clear)

  1. And yet... by Tuxedo+Jack · · Score: 4, Funny

    BOSS: "I'm going to call you about the meeting to accept messages about the meeting. Is that okay with you?"

    EMPLOYEE: "I didn't agree to receive this e-mail!"

    --

    Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
    1. Re:And yet... by dipipanone · · Score: 3, Funny

      You are obviously not a lawyer.

      He didn't say he was. He said that he worked at a law firm.

      Judging by the content of his post though, he's got to be either the firm's janitor or the errand boy.

  2. I've felt the effects of this! by kahei · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've gotten several emails today from companies asking me to give permission to send me emails in the future.

    But these emails that ask for permission -- I didn't ask for them! Those companies are _breaking the law_!

    Meanwhile, today's spam count from Africa, the USA, etc: 40.

    --
    Whence? Hence. Whither? Thither.
  3. Re:Wont make a blind bit of difference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yeah, at least if it was the US they'd bomb the spammers.

  4. Matters into our own hands by Burb · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, interesting factoid for the day! The UK is actually an independent nation that actually has its own laws! Gosh!

    --

  5. Don't email your complaints by freeweed · · Score: 4, Funny

    I tried to email my complaint to them, but they didn't agree to accept my email first, and now I'm looking at 2-5 :(

    --
    Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
  6. Notification by klokwise · · Score: 2, Funny

    as ignorance of the law is no defence, i am going to e-mail all my contacts at once and tell them about this. i also encourage all of you to mail everyone in your address book and tell them. maybe, even do a good deed and e-mail some people you never have before to spread this excellent news.

    the more the merrier!

  7. Re:This could help spammers.. ? by DavidTC · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's a brave stand for someone without a visible email address.

    --
    If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
  8. Illegal in the UK eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, if it's now illegal to send in the UK, that would explain why I just won the UK Lottery today! All I have to do is to call a phone # or respond to an email addy, with the bank account # where I'd like the $$$ deposited...

    I do have to give them credit - it was a very well written and nicely crafted email. Didn't look like the average SPAM missive. So I'm certain it will capture some folks in it's Nigerianesque tendrils...