SPAM WATCHDOG CALLS FOR MORE POWERS

According to reports, government inaction is preventing the prosecution of people who send bad, unwanted e-mails. The Information Commissioner’s Office wants to regulate and protect information and electronic communication, but it hasn’t got the power to prosecute the people who create unwanted e-mail. R Thomas said that they were still calling for further powers, which the Department of Trade and Industry was aware of. He also said that they wanted strong powers for taking action. The only success was a private action taken by Channel Islands businessman Nigel Roberts against a Scottish company. Spam messages, used to increase criminal activity, are estimated to account for around 60% of e-mail that arrives in our inboxes. In 2003 it became illegal to send unsolicited e-mails. In the US more than £6.4 billion in fines has been given to e-mail marketers as a result of the controversial situation, but the problem of unsolicited mail remains.

• what’s wrong with SPAM?

• how should spammers be punished?