Adult SPAM Must Abide By New Law

On May 20th a new law was put into effect that those sending SPAM (unsolicited commercial eMail) with sexually oriented content must use the term "Sexually Explicit" in the subject line. The new law also bars graphics from opening in the opening body of the message making it so that the person opening the eMail would have to scroll down the eMail to see the adult material.

This new law is helpful to consumers as it will allow them to filter more easily spammers who have this in their subject lines.

Spammers who break this law will face possible imprisonment and criminal fines of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for an organization.

The weak area of this law is that tracking down those whom violate it will be difficult because spammers often avoid being directly identified by using by bouncing their eMails through unprotected relay computers on the Internet or by forged return addresses.

Lisa's Comments-

I think that this law is a good step in the right direction. I believe SPAM to be an example of unethical business practices and is why our company will never be a part of it. We don't send it, we don't approve of it, and we only send solicited eMails to people (i.e.: returning a question, providing a receipt for an order or providing an access link to our members only newsletter.)

Some have argued that this new law against SPAM violates the freedom of speech. I disagree. If I wanted someone using my eMail address to solicit my business then I would ask to be included on a list. Personally, I believe SPAM to be a violation of my rights not to be tormented by greedy, deceitful spammers who use tactics that are outright fraudulent.

What irritates me the most are the SPAM eMails that come and open graphic sexual pictures that you have no control of having to see. I don't now about you, but some of them are offensive (particularly child porn) and not something I want popping up.

Also, if someone SPAMS you and uses deceiving headers or messages like... "In Regard To Your Order," or "When We Spoke Last Week," when you never contacted this spammer before, what in their right mind makes them think that you would want to do business with them. Oh sure, that's the way to win customers... lie to them right off the bat! That makes you want to trust them with a credit card or other personal information!

If you ask me, we need better ways to track down spammers to give them the boot but good. They are annoying, unethical and downright offensive.

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