US launches spam e-mail crackdown

Published on Thursday 23 October 2003 01:00

THE United States is set to impose tough new laws against sending unwanted spam e-mails.

The "Can Spam" bill, which was approved by the US Senate yesterday by a 97-0 vote, would outlaw the shadiest techniques used by many of the internet’s most prolific e-mailers, who pump out millions of unsolicited messages daily.

The bill would prohibit senders of unsolicited commercial e-mail from disguising their identity by using a false return address or misleading subject line.

The legislation also would prohibit senders from harvesting addresses off websites and require such e-mails to include a mechanism so recipients can indicate they do not want future mass-mailings.

But supporters warned computer users not to expect any immediate end to offers for prescription drugs, cheap loans, herbal remedies and porn.

"Kingpin spammers who send out e-mail by the millions are threatening to drown the internet in a sea of trash, and the American people want it stopped," said Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who co-sponsored the legislation. Acknowledging problems with e-mails sent from overseas, he urged other countries to approve similar limits.

He added that time spent by consumers wading through unwanted messages and the costs to businesses and internet providers delivering them were "escalating and wide-ranging".

Under the bill, he said, "people will think twice before they send it, and that’s the answer."

The bill also requires commercial e-mail senders to include their physical address, along with a clear notice that the message is an advertisement or sales pitch.

Despite the vote, senators cautioned computer users not to expect an immediate end to overflowing inboxes.

"The odds of us defeating spam by legislation alone are extremely low, but that does not mean we should stand idly by and do nothing about it," said Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate commerce, science and transportation committee.

The bill was supported by leading technology companies such as Microsoft and AOL.