Lawmakers Try to Protect Kids From Spam

Carl Bialik from the WSJ writes "Some states have moved to shield children from email peddling porn, alcohol and other adults-only products, the Wall Street Journal reports. Critics say the laws, which establish a registry of kids' email addresses, are unfair to marketers and could create security risks. The debate echoes earlier discussion about a proposed do-not-spam national registry that the Can-Spam Law urged, but which the FTC nixed. This time, though, the registries are moving forward on a state-by-state basis, and facing court challenges from the adult entertainment industry." From the article: "Few email addresses have been placed on the state registries so far. Earlier this week, Utah's registry had 1,992 addresses, and 62 schools had registered their domain names to block emails to student accounts. About 160 companies had submitted their email lists for screening. In Michigan, 3,658 email addresses have been registered, along with 41 school domains. About 170 marketers had applied for screening."

Comments

How do I get on the list?

[eldavojohn]

I mean, I am an adult, but I could sure do without the adult-product spam mail. Seriously, does anyone want to know where they can get more booby mags and silly sauce? How are they going to regulate who gets on these lists? The button you click says "Household E-mail address."

Is this an abuse of the service? Probably. But it would bring me great joy to watch some spammer take a $1K-$5K hit for each e-mail sent to me promising the enlargement of my genitals and/or mammaries. From the article:

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has cited one Web site for allegedly violating the law. It says a Web site called HoneyI------TheBabysitter.com sent a sexually explicit email last month to an address on the registry, and the state is seeking a fine of up to $2,500. The site's owner couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Now that's satisfying!

If you're wondering what adult products qualify for you to file a complaint: Under the law, marketers are prohibited from sending messages containing or linking to any products or services that are illegal under Michigan law for children to purchase, obtain, view or participate in. These include, but are not necessarily limited to: Alcohol, Tobacco, Pornography or Obscene Material, Gambling, Illegal Drugs, & Firearms

On the converse, I'm guessing that if I did get on the list my Spongebob spam would probably increase.