By Andy McCue, 18 July 2006 15:55
NEWS
The UK government has admitted that it may be forced to strengthen the much-maligned anti-spam legislation introduced in 2003.
The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations came into force on 11 December 2003 but the legislation has been criticised by anti-spam campaigners and data protection watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
The problem with the law is that while it bans the sending of spam to individuals, it does not stop spammers sending unsolicited junk emails to businesses.
The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) claimed at the time that hundreds of UK businesses had backed this approach but a subsequent silicon.com investigation into the DTI's consultation revealed that just six organisations were in fact in favour of the "opt out" clause for businesses.
The ICO also says the law does not give it enough powers to track down and prosecute spammers, especially when they originate from outside the UK. Under the legislation the ICO can only take enforcement action against UK-based spammers that can lead to a maximum fine of £5,000 in the magistrates courts.
But Margaret Hodge, trade and industry minister, has now revealed that the government is finally considering bowing to pressure to change the flawed legislation.
She told MPs this week: "The government is actively considering whether to revise the relevant legislation. DTI officials have a continuing dialogue with internet service providers regarding steps that can be taken to reduce spam. We also continue our efforts to achieve greater international co-operation."
The DTI failed to respond to a request for comment.
Comments
There are 9 comments. Join the discussion
1. David Radisic
Great but it won't stop the spammers, it may stop companies using email to sell their products other than through legitimate email Newsletter services such as MadRats.com
The spam in my inbox has increased over the past few years not decreased.
To stop this you need to stop virus attacks and zombie spamming systems.
Surely it should be possible for the ISPs to detect spam being sent from a machine and close the connection down.
If someone has a zombie spamming system then they need to remove it before the ISP allows them access to the internet again.
2. anonymous
I dispare of the present government and anything at all to do with computers, IT or communications. Time and time again they have not listened to the experts, done their own thing and who is it that picks up the bill for their cock-ups? You and me of course! I have lost count of the number of aborted IT projects, projects costing ten times or more the initial estimate. Then there was RIPA and the 3G spectrum sale, to name but a few. When will they get back to dealing with things they understand and listening to the experts about those things they don't? How many IT and comms experts are there in parliament, a very small, round number, I would suggest!
3. Charles Wood
I like simple laws:
Shoot anyone who send more than 100 documented spam emails unsolicited.
4. Ricvhard Bufton
As a professional engineer I find that anything to do with the UK government usually demonstrates their incompetence. This is just another example on top of the fiasco of terrestial digital television and unnecessarily restrictive IT policies in hospitals and schools which hold back development. We are in the dark ages of technology.
5. misceng
Richard you only mentioned half of the problem. As a professional engineer and retired from the Civil Service I saw the inside. Fundamentally administrators with no knowledge of any science or engineering advise the government. They have the set attitude that experts in any field should be "On tap not on top" so that they can take whichever bit of advice they want and ignore the rest usually because they don't understand it.
6. anonymous
I 'despair' of the Telecoms Consultant's ability to spell. I hope his opinions are worth more.
7. Dick Vinegar
Have Richard Burton and Misceng ever tried to influence the Government by using the many channels now available to them to criticise positively? Have they even bothered to find what what these channels are? I know, but I am not going to tell them, because they ought to take the trouble to find out for themselves. It is dead easy but useless to sound off on the hospitable pages of silicon.com. It is something else to be effective politically.
8. Anthony Clarke
I'm so glad to hear the reasonable voice of Dick Vinegar here. Rather than moan and complain, Ricvhard Bufton et al why not actively do something or moan and complain directly - where it matters. Get involved in politics...
9. anonymous
To Charles Wood (fellow commentator) - I do hope you mean 'video shoot'? :o)