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Bluetooth Spam In Public Spaces

Posted by kdawson on from the unwelcome-intrusions dept.

mrwireless writes with a bellwether from The Netherlands of a problem that is bound to spread. Judging by the CAN SPAM Act, the US would be even less likely than the EU to classify Bluetooth-borne commercial spam as spam. "The Dutch OPTA, a national telecommunications watchdog, has decided not to label commercial Bluetooth messages as spam (in Dutch, but Babelfish works). These messages seem to fall through a loophole in European laws against spam since they do not travel through an 'intermediary network.' The issue was raised last week when a Dutch broadcasting agency outfitted a number of bus stops so they would send a promotional video of an upcoming show to passersby. Although the messages first asked if people wanted to watch the video, the article quotes a lawyer who believes that this does not qualify as 'opt-in' advertising. As more and more people leave Bluetooth turned on to make use of their Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth close-range messaging, such as through bluejacking, is increasingly being exploited for commercial purposes."

5 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. whoa there by macadamia_harold · · Score: 4, Funny

    As more and more people leave Bluetooth turned on to make use of their Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth close-range messaging, such as through bluejacking, is increasingly being exploited for commercial purposes.

    I only engage in bluejacking if I get pr0n spam. and certainly not in public.

    --
    Push Button, Receive Bacon
  2. True story... by Tore+S+B · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a jam-packed train in Öresund, Sweden. A middle-aged man in a suit is sitting down, reading business documents. But occasionally, beeps come from his cellphone. He is visibly more annoyed for each time, and looks around him.

    Finally, he's had enough, and gets up and yells...
    "WHO THE HELL KEEPS BLUETOOTHING ME GAY PORN ALL THE TIME?!"

    --
    toresbe
    1. Re:True story... by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 5, Funny

      And what did you say to him?

      --
      "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  3. Re:CAN SPAM? by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, we all know how effective CAN SPAM has been. My mailbox receives only 1000+ more spam emails a week now then before.

    There's a reason it's not called CAN'T SPAM...

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  4. Fun with bluetooth by stud9920 · · Score: 3, Funny

    0a) rename your BT identity to something not recognizeable
    0b) download grossout.jpg, rename to "ctu.mp3"
    1) detect someone who might have a BT phone, in a crowded place.
    2) send "ctu.mp3". Many people will accept this unconditionally, even if manually
    3) enjoy the recipent's face.