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US senators take aim at mobile spam
US Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) want to make unsolicited commercial text messages illegal. They have introduced legislation they're calling the m-SPAM Act of 2009 to put the brakes on mobile spam.
The proposed legislation would strengthen the powers given to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to curb unwanted text messages. Additionally, it would flat out prohibit sending text messages to mobile numbers on the Do-Not-Call registry.
Senators Snowe and Nelson have taken pains to point out that mobile spam is more than just annoying. Most mobile plans charge the user a 10 to 20 cent fee for receiving any text message. Additionally, mobile spam is a channel through which viruses and malicious programs can be transmitted to mobile devices.
Wireless users in the U.S. received more than 1.1 million spam text messages in 2007, up 38 percent from 2006 levels.
Published 6 April, 2009 by Rebecca Lieb
Rebecca Lieb oversees Econsultancy's North American operations.
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Comments (5)
emilio
yes , Moble spam is increasing a lot and I think government whould take proper steps to handle them
over 8 years ago
Kim Dushinski
I'm not usually one to want legislation to solve problems, but mobile spam is something that must be stopped. Hopefully consumers and the senators will understand that all mobile marketing is not spam.
Done properly, mobile marketing offers a great value to consumers by putting them in touch with businesses they want to hear from.
over 8 years ago
Eric
Mobile spam was outlawed in the UK a couple of years ago. A good idea too.
over 8 years ago
Kim Dushinski
I'm not usually one to want legislation to solve problems, but mobile spam is something that must be stopped. Hopefully consumers and the senators will understand that all mobile marketing is not spam.
Done properly, mobile marketing offers a great value to consumers by putting them in touch with businesses they want to hear from.
over 8 years ago
Eric
I agree, Kim. Mobile spam and mobile marketing are very different - the key being, as you said, messages from businesses consumers "want to hear from".
It's "opt-in" in the UK.
over 8 years ago