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LEGISLATORS CAN’T KEEP SPAM IN
THE KITCHEN
By Becky Knauer
Spam now goes well beyond the can.
Email accounts, regardless of Internet server providers, are notorious for being bombarded with explicit “spam” emails promising to increase a certain body part or decrease debt. While previous attempts to curb this new form of harassment lacked enforcement, legislators are considering instating and strictly enforcing a law against unsolicited commercial mail.According to Newsweek, Congress is not clueless about this technical debate. Past attempts include the Can Spam Act and the Anti-Spamming Act introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns, Republican of Montana, and Heather Wilson, Republican of New Mexico respectively. Due to their lack in prominence, these acts took a backseat to others.
“Time ran out on these bills (backburnered after Sept. 11), but the legislators all say they intend to return to the problem,” said Newsweek.
The fine line linking spam regulations and the First Amendment makes it tough for legislators to enact strict policies. Steven Levy, writer for Newsweek, makes valid suggestions to help curtail spam without stepping on the toes of the “freedom of speech” act.
These suggestions, however, raise concerns as to whether or not anything can actually be done. His suggestions, which include proper labeling, enclosure of valid return addresses and strict enforcement of those in violation of these rules, might not be enough to stop these email deviants.
Beta tester and employee of Darby Corporate Solutions (DCS), Albert DeLucca, is unsure that there is a viable solution that would eradicate spam but is highly in favor of upgrading the current method taken against spammers.
“They already have something called the black list which people get put on if they send over a certain amount of emails in a day, week, or year,” DeLucca said. “Anonymous email accounts make it hard to keep track of where they are coming from. Regardless, I’m all for them passing some sort of law that can regulate email traffic without jeopardizing the privacy or free speech elements that make the Internet what it is.