Datamation Logo

Spam Foes Worry New FTC Rule Not Enough

Home Security
By Sharon Gaudin
May 21, 2004
Datamation content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

Spam foes say the FTC’s new crack down on pornographic spam is a step in the right

direction, but they worry that the new law will be largely ignored.

This past Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission passed a rule calling for all

pornographic spam to carry a warning label. Now all adult-oriented spam must include the

label ”Sexually Explicit” in the subject line, as well as in the body of the email.

Now the question is whether or not pornographers and spammers will pay attention to the

law.

”Many spammers are already operating outside of the law,” says Francois Lavaste, a vice

president at Brightmail, an anti-spam company based in San Francisco. ”They don’t care

about legislation and they won’t comply with it. We don’t expect spammers to comply with

this until it’s really being enforced.”

The new rule was required by the Can-Spam Act, which Congress passed in 2003. The Act

directs the FTC to adopt a law requiring a notice to be included in sexually oriented spam.

The notice must be in the subject line, as well as in the electronic equivalent of a ‘brown

paper wrapper’ in the message body of the email. The ‘brown paper wrapper’ should bear the

warning, along with an opt-out, and a valid sender’s address.

Jonathan Kraden, staff attorney with the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, explains that

the ‘wrapper’ also will hide any sexually explicit images or information. ”The recipient

will need to take an affirmative step to view these materials,” he says.

The new rule, however, does not prohibit spammers from placing sexually explicit wording in

the subject line. It just needs to be proceeded by the warning label.

”It’s not telling people that they can’t send this type of email,” says Kraden. ”It’s

letting readers know that this is sexually explicit. If people want to see it, that’s fine.

They can. If they don’t want to see it, they can filter it out or just delete it.”

And if spammers don’t adhere to the new rule, Kraden says the government is fully prepared

to go after them.

”At the FTC, we’ve brought more than 55 spam-related case, and I expect that will

continue,” he says. ”As we bring more of these cases, we get better and better at doing

it. I don’t speak geek but I’m getting closer.”

Ray Everett-Church, chief privacy officer of Paoli, Pa.-based ePrivacy Group LLC, a privacy

and anti-spam consultancy, says the new rule is a good idea but he’s not convinced that it

will be very effective.

”I think that the instinct there is good in that they’re trying to protect people from

being offended by unwanted email or inadvertent exposure to sensitive email,” says

Everett-Church, who also is a founder of CAUCE, a group focused on finding legislative

solutions to spam. ”Whatever moral issues you may have with pornographers, there are many

who are committed to following the law in order to make sure that they stay out of the

cross-hairs of law enforcement. If the FTC requires pornographers to dance on one leg and

wear a tin foil hat, many would do it.”

But not all of them.

”But the reality is that many of the pornographic spams are sent by folks already engaged

in deceptive or illegal practices,” adds Everett-Church. ”They try to trick people…

Some folks will ignore any requirements simply because they’re criminals and don’t adhere

to the law.”

However, both Everett-Church and Lavaste says this is a good way for legitimate mass

emailers to differentiate themselves from the illegitimate segment.

”This adds to the body of things that differentiates good actors from bad,” says

Everett-Church. ”But in terms of making a tremendous impact on the spam problem, I remain

tremendously skeptical unfortunately.”

Lavaste also poses the question of how this new rule can affect spammers who are operating

from outside of the United States.

”By itself, will this reduce spam? Will it have a good impact?” asks Lavaste. ”Probably

not.”

This article was first published on eSecurityPlanet.com.

  SEE ALL
ARTICLES  
Previous Article
Most New Hires U.S.-Based
Next Article
Web Spending Picks Up

Subscribe to Data Insider

Learn the latest news and best practices about data science, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, data security, and more.

Similar articles

AI

AI in Cybersecurity: The Comprehensive Guide to Modern Security

thumbnail AI in Cybersecurity: The Comprehensive Guide to Modern Security
Security

What Is Cybersecurity? Definitions, Practices, Threats

thumbnail What Is Cybersecurity? Definitions, Practices, Threats
Security

How to Secure a Network: 9 Key Actions to Secure Your Data

thumbnail How to Secure a Network: 9 Key Actions to Secure Your Data
Datamation Logo

Datamation is the leading industry resource for B2B data professionals and technology buyers. Datamation's focus is on providing insight into the latest trends and innovation in AI, data security, big data, and more, along with in-depth product recommendations and comparisons. More than 1.7M users gain insight and guidance from Datamation every year.

Advertisers

Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on Datamation and our other data and technology-focused platforms.

Advertise with Us

Our Brands

Technologyadvice
ServerWatch
TechRepublic
Enterprise Networking Planet
eWeek
Project Management
eSecurity Planet
IT Business Edge
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions About Contact Advertise California - Do Not Sell My Information

Property of TechnologyAdvice.
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.