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MS Speaks Out Against New Zealand's Anti Spam Bill

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the the-only-good-spam-is-a-dead-spam dept.

out_sp0k1n writes "Ryan Hamlin, head of Microsoft's Technology Care and Safety Group spoke out against New Zealand's proposed anti-spam legislation, warning that it could impinge on 'the amazing vehicle of e-mail marketing'. He also suggests that CAN-SPAM has been effective in deterring spammers. From The Article: 'Though often criticized as too meek, US anti-spam legislation - which relies on people opting out of spam - has proved effective in supporting prosecutions and deterring spammers.' Anyone else think that one message doesn't count as spam?"

11 of 334 comments (clear)

  1. oh, so that's why by omeomi · · Score: 5, Funny

    He also suggests that CAN-SPAM has been effective in deterring spammers.

    Oh, so that's why I don't get any spam any more...

    Well, off to clean my Inbox of spam.

    Tom

    --
    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
    1. Re:oh, so that's why by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Funny
      > > He also suggests that CAN-SPAM has been effective in deterring spammers.
      >
      > Oh, so that's why I don't get any spam any more...
      >
      > Well, off to clean my Inbox of spam.

      That's not spam, those are amazing offers to which you just haven't opted out yet! Haven't you listened to Gator, uh, Claria, uh, the new Microsoft Secure Safety Technology that gives you access to the Amazing Vehicle of E-Mail Marketing?

      In other news today, Microsoft executives report that dipping your balls in sweet cream and squatting in a kitchen full of kittens may be hazardous to your health.

    2. Re:oh, so that's why by omeomi · · Score: 5, Funny

      In other news today, Microsoft executives report that dipping your balls in sweet cream and squatting in a kitchen full of kittens may be hazardous to your health.

      Phew. I was just about to do that...good thing you stopped me.

      --
      ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
  2. That's the idea. by hungrygrue · · Score: 5, Insightful
    warning that it could impinge on 'the amazing vehicle of e-mail marketing'.
    So their warning is basically that it might work?
  3. Microsoft follows the money? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I never get how anyone can ever use the argument that some people might "want" spam. If you want to buy something, you can find it on the net. I NEVER want to be inundated with junk adverts.

    Mailinator lets me avoid getting spam in the first place. Good luck microsoft.

  4. Spam is spam by JesseL · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If it's unsolicited then it's spam. If you give spammers one freebie then they'll just form a new corporation every time they want to send a new batch of crap.

    I don't care if they send me 'just one' or a million, either way it is infintley more than I want.

    --
    "Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!"
  5. CAN-SPAM effective? by Elias+Ross · · Score: 5, Interesting


    Can anybody point to any research (or, frankly pundit or blogger) that has concluded that CAN-SPAM has had any effect at all? So far, it sounds like CAN-SPAM has bene "toothless", made "zero impact", etc.

  6. What's up with his title? by Nuclear+Elephant · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ryan Hamlin, head of Microsoft's Technology Care and Safety Group

    Is it just me or does his title sound like the Microsoft equivalent of an airline stewardess? And how come everyone we hear from Microsoft is the head of something? Were they all promised head to come work at Microsoft?

    1. Re:What's up with his title? by Maax · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The Departments of Truth, Peace and Love would have been just too much of a give away.

  7. As a kiwi by simonharvey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a New Zealander I am surprised that the government is showing this much common sense:

    "Mr Cunliffe says Microsoft's proposed "opt out" approach is too weak and has been rejected.
    "We decided it's going to be opt-in. End of story. Why should you have to opt out of spam?"

    And that common sense is prevailing over US law.
    *duck*

    Simon

  8. Microsoft serious about squashing SPAM? by Eric+Damron · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Mr Hamlin says Microsoft would like to see the bill changed so that businesses could be confident they could continue to use databases that they had already compiled to send out e-mail."
    i.e. So that businesses could continue to SPAM.
    "He also wants definitions in the bill changed so that companies would be able to e-mail information about new products and services to customers, even if they had opted out of receiving e-mail about other services they had bought from the company in the past."
    So if I tell a company that I don't want their penis enlargement ads they can SPAM me with an ad for their latest p0rn and so on and so on and. . ."
    "Though often criticised as too meek, US anti-spam legislation - which relies on people opting out of spam - has proved effective in supporting prosecutions and deterring spammers, he says."
    Right, that's why my filters catch move SPAM every month than the previous. It's only the filtering technology that keeps email usable.

    Is Microsoft really serious about squashing SPAM or just in finding another cow to milk? What was this I heard about Microsoft wanting to buy the company that use to be called Gator? Seems to me that SPAM and AD ware go hand in hand.

    --
    The race isn't always to the swift... but that's the way to bet!