Data management firm CDMS has reported that over one third of UK firms have ignored EU regulations on email privacy. Under the rules, those being sent promotional messages must have "opted-in" to agree its reception first:

Under the European Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communication it became mandatory to offer opt-in in December 2003.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO), which monitors such activity, explained that it can be difficult to clamp down on the offenders most of which appear to be based overseas.

Critics of the ICO insist that it does not have the teeth to deal with the problem and that, although it has the power to impose fines up to £5,000, it has yet to do so.

Sadly this doesn't surprise us and without tougher penalties and education businesses will continue to ignore the rules.

Still the greatest problem remains the USA, where they use “opt-out”; meaning that you have to receive the SPAM before you can request it stopped. Does this strike anybody else as being just a tad ridiculous? More @ VNUNet.