The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australia's peak regulatory body overseeing the communications and media industries, is turning up the heat on spam with the launch of its new reporting tool, Spam SMS.
This month, ACMA commenced the use of a new tool aimed at improving the reporting of spam, particularly in the younger community. Spam SMS encourages persons who are exposed to spam via text messages on their mobile phones to forward any such messages they receive to a new dedicated Spam SMS number. ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, emphasised the ease with which Spam SMS could be used in that the message need only be forwarded to this number. Such ease of use is hoped to increase the likelihood that younger people will be more inclined to report any unsolicited marketing text messages they receive. This will provide ACMA with more information, helping to improve its ability to investigate breaches of the Spam Act 2003 (Cth), and enable ACMA to pursue any appropriate action against the offending party.
This latest initiative comes after ACMA commenced its first court proceedings last year regarding the sending of unsolicited SMS messages in breach of the Spam Act. In that one matter alone, the Australian Federal Court issued a total of $22.25 million in penalties.
The new Spam SMS tool demonstrates ACMA's continued strict stance against SMS spam and the significant penalties issued by the Court highlight the importance of getting it right.
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