You, gentle reader, could be an unwitting spam accomplice - and in for a huge fine
Happy the anti-spam law kicks in today? You should be. It means companies now need your consent before clogging your inbox.
But pause to consider the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act (2007) covers end users too.
If a spambot hijacks your PC to use it as a staging post for its next volley of junkmail, you could be in for a fine of up to $200,000. The onus is on you to prove you didn't know about the hack. Ouch.
Swot up on the Act - for companies (who're in line for $500,000 fines) and individuals by reading Geoff Palmer's Consumer Watch column on the topic here.
Read Computerworld's report about the Department of Internal Affairs' new AntiSpam Unit here, and check out said unit's new website here.
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Comments
I wonder, does that also apply if a spammer spoofs your e-mail address?
Posted by: Dave Hill | September 5, 2007 4:28 PM
This act is in place to stop "spammers". It is not there to stop legitimate e-marketing. For normal law abiding businesses who send out email newsletters and special promotions to their clients on a weekly or monthly basis there is absolutely nothing they need to do. The main change is the content they need to include such as: correct and valid contact details - and a method for users to unsubscribe.
Posted by: Jason | September 5, 2007 10:12 AM