The South Korean Fair Trade Commission has fined 25 companies
for sending unsolicited commercial messages via email and mobile
phones. The fines total 64 million won (approximately $55,000).
According to the Fair Trade Commission this is the first time
that the Seoul authorities have fined businesses for sending spam.
Some of the companies are reported to have sent spam without
identifying themselves, or continued to send spam even when
customers asked to be removed from mailing lists.
"We will check such companies every six months," said Son In-ok,
director of the consumer protection bureau at the Fair Trade
Commission. "We are going to order companies to suspend business as
well as fine them if they send messages about pornography sites to
the young or if they continue to send mail to customers who
requested to be removed from the mailing lists."
"This is just a tiny victory in the war against spammers. We
need to see more countries taking action against those companies
pumping out the unwanted advertisements that clog users' inboxes
worldwide," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for
Sophos. "Sadly there is no evidence that the level of spam has
reduced since laws targeting spammers have begun to be introduced.
The message for companies pestered by spammers is simple - invest
in a quality anti-spam solution at your email gateway."
Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend
businesses from the threats of both spam and viruses.