Anti-Spam Law May Not Prevent Junk Mail

According to the news by The Standard on June 6, 2007, Vincent Wong, a media professional, claims that he almost lost a customer when he was not able to trace a HK$5,000 deal within the 300 junk mails he gets everyday. Moreover, he isn't sure of whether Hong Kong's new law of anti-spam would be of any help or not.

According to the law which became effective from June1, Hong Kong citizens will be fined $130,000 and can also be jailed for 5 years for sending uninvited messages if they acquired the email through unfair methods, viz. address-generating software. This law has been initiated through a two-way process waiting to come into action.

In southern Chinese city, a new order will direct the movement of messages which are sent by fax, SMS, email pre-recorded voice messages and which promote and highlight goods and services.

Through this action, it has ban messages to particularly those addresses, which are obtained through a "dictionary" or "brute force" attacks as it automatically produce recipients. It has also prohibited searches in internet for addresses through software. Further, it has also decided to imprison those who search the system to send commercial messages.

According to the news by The Standard on June 6, 2007, anti-spam chief at Out blaze, Suresh Ramasubramanian spam is equal to 70% of all messages sent through network of company, unconvincing users and clogging computer system, which further directs the email system for its users including the biggest local phone company PCCW.

According to the news by Vnunet on June 7, 2007 Hong Kong's secretary for commerce, technology and industry Joseph Wong said that the anti-spam law which has been introduced on June 1, 2007 is fabricated to work with the international anti-spam efforts also. This law covers all electronic messages concerning Hong Kong, like, if it is started or send to Hong Kong, it comes with in the realm of the bill.

According to the news by Vnunet on June 7, 2007, Joseph added that for the matters developing from overseas, they have to consult their agencies of enforcement operating with agencies in other area.

The plan of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to ensure anti-spam laws on companies that send and make uninvited messages or call was first promoted in 2005.

Related article: Anti-Spam Laws may not Solve the Problem

» SPAMfighter News - 6/20/2007