Spam in UK

[FrankSG]

I read where spam in the UK is illegal. Is that true? And if so, how is it working? Do you folks over there have as much trouble with spam as we do in the USA? Check the link below.
~Frank~
http://www.spamhaus.org/position/CAN-SPAM_Act_2003.html

[Vic 970]

Hi Frank,

I read through the article quickly, but from what knowledge I have....,

I believe there is a law just come in, but it only covers private. personal recipients, not bussiness

We do have a lot of trouble with spam, and I believe from what I have seen in the forums to the same extent.
on the net, I find that mine comes in waves, ie: I get a load of it for a while then it suddenly stops. I have put this down to mailwasher bouncing it but have no proof of this only a hunch.

making it illegal will not stop it anyway, it needs to be properly enforced, and in my opinion this is what the gov fails to do. over time they have consistantly brought out new laws (and/or amendments) without repealing the old, and then having done so, and created confusion, belief (or try to make others believe) that they have done their part.
without proper laws (international ?) and enforcement, it will not stop, and probably get worse.

[Vic 970]

Hi Frank,

I read through the article quickly, but from what knowledge I have....,

I believe there is a law just come in, but it only covers private. personal recipients, not bussiness

We do have a lot of trouble with spam, and I believe from what I have seen in the forums to the same extent.
on the net, I find that mine comes in waves, ie: I get a load of it for a while then it suddenly stops. I have put this down to mailwasher bouncing it but have no proof of this only a hunch.

making it illegal will not stop it anyway, it needs to be properly enforced, and in my opinion this is what the gov fails to do. over time they have consistantly brought out new laws (and/or amendments) without repealing the old, and then having done so, and created confusion, belief (or try to make others believe) that they have done their part.
without proper laws (international ?) and enforcement, it will not stop, and probably get worse.

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Vic 970
Hi Frank,

without proper laws (international ?) and enforcement, it will not stop, and probably get worse.
I agree--If laws aren't enforced, then there is not much point in making them. For laws dealing with the internet, I think it should be international. I suppose it would be pretty difficult trying to get everybody to agree on just exactly how to do it. But, I think we ought to try.

[stefanus]

Passing of a law/s is all very well, but who is going to police it. Not the Law enforcement Agencies. They are already overloaded (and under staffed) in other areas without takeing on board more problems. The ISPs should be accountable. I was reading a PC Mag to-day and one guy was constantly being hit with spam etc and contacted his ISP 18 TIMES AND IS STILL AWAITING A REPLY AFTER 3 WEEKS.Perhaps the Law makers will do the policeing??
Stefanus

[deddard]

Yep - spam in the UK (in fact the EU) is illegal.
Unless of course it isn't.
Which is pretty much how things stand at present- basically if you have received spam before the date of illegality (december sometime) and the source which gleaned your info is still able to be used, the spam can't be proved illegal.
Plus of course, the whole illegality is a complete farce - as most of it originates outside the EU, how the hell is anyone going to get prosecuted for it?
What should be made illegal is sites which by direct or indirect (or lack of) action, allow spam to be sent to users. EBay are my biggest culprits - in order to use the damn thing, your email is available, and therefore unless you take steps (no-I didn't!) to ensure that a different email address which can just dump spam is used, you're going to be flooded - I get around 10-20 spams every day. The other big culprit for me is Bigfoot (My forwarder) who will 'sell' you a package which filters spam.
Of course, we didn't actually GET any spam until they introduced this service - coincidence or what?