Canada Task Force Calls For Anti-Spam Law

Canrights writes "Canada's National Task Force on Spam released its final report today. Despite prior spam actions on privacy grounds in Canada, the task force is calling for a tough new anti-spam law including penalties for failure to obtain appropriate opt-in consents before sending commercial email as well as private right of action to encourage Canadian lawsuits against spammers. Professor Michael Geist, who headed up the legal aspects of the task force, provides a good summary of the recommendations."

Comments

Precisely which "tough penalties"?

[Anonymous Coward]

the task force is calling for a tough new anti-spam law including _____ penalties for failure to obtain appropriate opt-in consents

Is "death" the missing word?
Or are there some bulk mailers for whom life in a forced labor camp on water and SPAM would do? (I know that latter thought risks being modded down for undue leniency...;-))

I don't like the encouragement to litigation

[under_score]

Canada is currently a relatively non-litigious society. It would be nice if it would stay that way. The use of litigation to effect change in a society or business community seems rather suspect: it puts in place a very odd set of incentives. Lawyers get more money the more problems there are, and individuals must fear the lack of liability insurance. Lawyers and insurance companies have a lot to gain from encouraging a litigious society while individual people have nothing to gain (that I can see).

What should be used to threaten Cdn spammers...

[WormholeFiend]

Taxes.

Amend the Income Tax Act to tax revenues from spam in the insane range.

Canada has incredible legislative talent at finding new taxes to impose on people, and it's about time they start using this power for the Forces of Good.

Now if that happens and some spammer evades his taxes, it's off to a Federal PMITA prison.

And no conjugal visits.