Posted on 09/18/2003 9:08:17 PM PDT by Bobby777
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday became the second country in Europe to criminalize spam, that unwanted barrage of e-mail and mobile phone text messages that promise get-rich-quick schemes, cheap home loans and a better sex life.
The unsolicited messages, which industry groups say account for more than half of all e-mails sent, have become the scourge of Internet users everywhere.
Under the new UK law, spammers face a 5,000 pound ($8,057) fine if convicted in a magistrates court. The fine from a jury trial would be unlimited. Spammers would not face prison, according to the new law, which was introduced by Communications Minister Stephen Timms on Thursday.
Spam is defined under the UK law as any messages sent to consumers without having first established a consensual customer relationship.
"These regulations will help combat the global nuisance of unsolicited e-mails and texts by enshrining in law rights that give consumers more say over who can use their personal details," Timms said in a statement.
The UK's Office of the Information Commissioner will enforce the regulations, which go into effect on December 11.
The law does not however cover workplace e-mail addresses. Anti-spam proponents had been calling for a blanket law that would criminalize all forms of spam.
"To say it is permissable to spam somebody at work but not at home could put an extremely large burden on British businesses," said Steve Linford, founder of anti-spam group Spamhaus Project. "It says it's okay to spam companies."
The UK law follows an EU directive passed last year. Earlier this month, Italian lawmakers imposed tough new regulations to fine spammers up to 90,000 euros ($101,600) and impose a maximum prison term of three years.
Anti-spam groups cheered the Italian law, but acknowledged it likely would do little to stop the unwanted flow of messages. The biggest spammers are based in the United States and Asia. Strenuous anti-spam laws there are seen as key to shutting off the valve.
The UK legislation also sets guidelines for "cookies" -- electronic identification tags that help Web sites identify repeat visitors. Under the new law, consumers have the right to insist the Web site not store their personal information.
And, starting next year, businesses and individuals will be able to opt out of telephone marketing schemes.
90% of spam will be gone in 30 days ... guaranteed ... make it economically very unattractive ... not 100% but 90% yes ...
Bleeding-heart wimps. If they don't want to pay to put them in prison, just dust off some of the racks and iron maidens from the museums and use those.
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