Senators introduce bill to fight SMS spam

Monday, April 6, 2009

Senators Olympia Snowe and Bill last week introduced legislation aimed at curbing unsolicited text messages or mobile spam.

The m-SPAM Act of 2009 would strengthen the powers given to the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to prohibit commercial text messages to wireless numbers listed on the do-not-call registry, according to a statement.

"Mobile spam invades both a consumer's cell phone and monthly bill," Snowe said.

"There is also increasing concern that mobile spam will become more than just an annoyance - the viruses and malicious spyware that are often attached to traditional spam will most likely be more prevalent on wireless devices through m-spam," Snowe added. "This significant and looming threat must be addressed in order to protect consumers and vital wireless services."

Snowe said wireless users in the US received more than 1.1 million spam text messages in 2007, a 38 percent increase from 2006.

A report from an email security company released at the CTIA Wireless show last week said one type of text message spam has duped users into sharing personal information in order to find out who has a crush on them.

Called "crush spam," the message opts subscribers in for up to $60 per month in charges, the report said.

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