Posted: 06th Dec, 2006 By: MarkJ
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has today admitted that no UK SPAMMERS have been prosecuted, highlighting their lack of legal powers:
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has frequently said it has a lack of power to combat spam, and blames its lack of power on the UK Government. "
We have not prosecuted spammers," said an ICO spokesman. "
We have limited powers as you know to deal with people who pedal unsolicited marketing emails."
"
As the commissioner said in his annual report this year: 'We do not believe the powers provided by PECR [Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations] are sufficient for us to tackle the nature of the problems created by irresponsible electronic marketing'," the ICO told
ZDNet UK. "
We are continuing to discuss measures to strengthen our powers with the DTI."
Despite the Information Commissioner's Office repeatedly calling for more powers to combat spam from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), there has been no indication from the UK Government that the ICO will receive them. "
The ICO already has powers under [the Data Protection] Act and it is important that these powers are used to the full extent before we consider amending the legislation," said the DTI in a statement.
We're all off to hit our heads against the wall, again. More @
ZDNet.