IT security firm, Sophos, is reminding companies of the importance of obeying anti-spam laws following the announcement of legal action being taken against two companies accused of sending unsolicited emails about gambling and alcoholic drinks to children.

According to Michigan Attorney General, RR Media Inc. of Cathedral City, California, and Data Stream Group Inc. of Bonita Springs, Florida, sent emails with the intention of enticing children to visit gambling websites and promoted alcoholic beverages. The messages are said to have been sent to children's email addresses registered under Michigan's Child Protection Registry Act. The act requires companies to check the registry to remove children's email addresses before sending messages advertising goods or services that children cannot legally buy (such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling and pornography).

"Children may well be more susceptible to spam campaigns than adults, so it is worrying that some of them are having to deal with alcohol, tobacco and gambling ads as part of their email experience. Michigan is leading the way by taking action against this sort of activity, but the buck shouldn't stop there - people and companies sending unsolicited messages need to think hard about who is receiving their messages and whether the content is appropriate", according to a Sophos spokesperson.

If found guilty, the companies could be fined up to 10,000 and receive other penalties for violating the Child Protection Registry Act. Michigan and Utah are the only American states that have adopted a registry law.

Related links: (Open in a new window.)
www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/08/kid-spam-lawsuit.html

View printable version (opens in new window)
Back