By Lisa M Bowman, 27 March 2003 10:53
NEWS Instead of trying in vain to block all unsolicited mail, two IBM researchers believe we should accept spam from companies that buy a 'charity stamp'. Under the proposal, concocted by IBM researchers Scott Fahlman and Mark Wegman, email senders who haven't been cleared by a recipient would receive a message that their mail did not go through. They would then be instructed that they could reach the intended recipient if they were to donate a few cents or pence to a third-party site. The money would then be donated to a registered charity of the sender's choice. Email bearing the charity stamp could then reach the recipient. However, it is unclear whether the IBM men actually intend the plan to raise cash for charities or just deter spammers who are unlikely to want to part with money for each of the thousands of emails they send out. Fahlman said: "What we're proposing is to change the rules of email just a little bit to make spam go away. The day you install this is the day you get your last piece of free spam." Fahlman said the software to channel unfamiliar senders to charity sites, which is only theoretical right now, would probably be under the control of the sender and would sit between a person's mail server and mail client. He also said internet service providers could use the program as a marketing tool to convince consumers they're serious about controlling spam. The plan combines the popular concept of a so-called white list - which only allows emails through from senders on a predetermined list - and the emerging paid-to-send model, which is currently resurfacing in some anti-spam circles.
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