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First Lawsuit Against Cell-Phone Spammers

Posted by timothy on from the go-cat-go dept.

BMcWilliams writes "The PR machine at Verizon Wireless hasn't made any noise about this yet, but the carrier last month filed a lawsuit against some Rhode Island spammers who targeted its cell phone customers with over four million text-message ads for ephedra, penis pills, mortgages, etc. The timing of the lawsuit is interesting, given that the FCC is in the process of hammering out rules governing cell-phone spam. I am told the Verizon litigation is the first of its kind in the USA. My story about the lawsuit, and a copy of Verizon Wireless' complaint, are available here."

3 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Reluctant kudos by SIGALRM · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Verizon Wireless hasn't made any noise about this yet, but the carrier last month filed a lawsuit
    In recent months, Verizon Wireless seems to have been doing a decent job protecting consumers from unwanted advertising.

    In addition to their anti-spam efforts Verizon has opposed the cell-phone directory--and in the broadband-whore department, are at the forefront of deploying FTTP--which I personally want today. :)

    I'm not a huge fan of VZW--although they do have great coverage, at least IMBY.
    --
    Sigs cause cancer.
  2. Credit on your bill? by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't have a cell phone (yup, there actually ARE people without 'em) but I think there should be a way to get credit for the minutes that Spam costs a receiving cell.

    --
    "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
  3. Whitelisting is not the answer by cephyn · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I hate whitelisting. Its just a poor way to protect the end user. There are many instances, both for email, or cell phones where a whitelist will block an important transmission. To push whitelisting as the solution is a cop-out. It increases litigation, but creating good, informed, solid and unambiguous laws is the best way to stop spammers.

    --
    Moo.