FTC Chairman Dismisses Do-Not-Spam List

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

21 August 2003

Speaking at a recent telecommunications summit, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Timothy Muris suggested that the proposed do-not-spam list will not work as effectively as its anti-telemarketing counterpart, the FTC's do-not-call registry.

According to the Associated Press, Mr Muris told delegates attending the Aspen Summit, organised by the Progress and Freedom Foundation (PFF) that:

'If such a list were established, I'd advise customers not to waste their time and energy.' He went on to explain that: 'Most spam is so clearly illegitimate that the senders are no more likely to comply with the new regulations than with the laws they now ignore,' concluding:

'Unlike telemarketers or direct mail users, spammers can easily hide their identity and cross international borders.'

Mr Muris reportedly went on to suggest that the problem of spam is more likely to be reduced through new technological developments, and urged ISPs to do more to protect their customers from unwanted commercial e-mail.

He also observed that although government intervention is needed, some of the proposals currently being examined by Congress could, paradoxically, make it more difficult for the FTC to prosecute those who hire spammers to send out misleading e-mails.

Recommended