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New Michigan Law Means Kids Can Opt Out of Spam

tekiegreg writes "Thanks to a new Michigan Law, parents can now opt their kids out of Spam. One wonders whether or not such severe penalty will make Spammers think twice ($30,000 fine and 3 yrs/jail)." I wonder how much legislation will actually help keep kids from being spammed, but if it works, I'm happy to say I'm under age 13 if it means I get less spam.

6 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Kids only by Zouden · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Interesting that it's for 'protecting the children'. Why not just let all Michigan residents opt-out of spam?
    It's almost as if the legislators are making a compromise...

    --
    "A week in the lab saves an hour in the library"
  2. But what about porn by bhmit1 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you claim to be under 13, does that prevent you from seeing porn, online banking, and one day, online voting?

  3. Heck yeah by MyLongNickName · · Score: 5, Funny

    I already ACT under 13. Does that get me out of spam?

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  4. yeah that will work by hsmith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All the spammers in Russia and China are shaking in their boots worried about a Michigan law.

    oh the oppression!

  5. Oh Great by MBoffin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Uh huh. So a huge list is compiled of all the underage kids. Yeesh. I'm sure the spammers will love that list. I can't even fathom the sheer volume of spam they will get once they aren't underage anymore.

  6. Spam is hardly the issue by louzerr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While I do think it's a good start, I question the other ways kids are NOT protected ... namely in the educational institutions.

    We allow advertising for Snickers, M&Ms, Coke & Pepsi all over our high and junior high schools, and allow Universities (like the former U of Minnesota - now a research facility instead of a school) to sell students personal information to any bank or credit card company we choose.

    Spam is hardly a threat compared to corporate "education".

    --
    "The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away" -- "Step Right Up", Tom Waits