Hong Kong proposes anti-spam bill

Proposals for anti-spam legislation revealed.

Hong Kong's Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau has revealed its proposals for anti-spam legislation and launched a two-month public consultation.

The proposed Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill adopts a 'technology-neutral' approach, in a bid to accommodate any new forms of electronic message that may appear in the future as well as the forms of messaging that are affected by spam at the present time.

The proposed regulation adopts an opt-out strategy, requiring senders of commercial electronic messages to stop sending further such messages if the recipient asks them to. This, according to Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology will 'provide companies with room to promote their products, and in turn facilitate development of small and medium sized enterprises. It also provides opportunities for recipients to browse through promotion information before deciding whether to receive further messages.'

Under the proposed Bill, convicted spammers would be liable to a maximum fine of 100,000 HK dollars (approx. US $12,000), and 1,000 HK dollars (approx. US $129) per day for repeated offences. The period of public consultation continues until 20 March.

01 February 2006

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