KEY POINTS:
New Zealand based spammers' days are numbered with the introduction of a new law that could see people sending unsolicited emails fined hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Unsolicited Electronic Messages (UEM) Act 2007 is to take effect from September 5.
The Act defined spam as `unsolicited, commercial, electronic messages', and sets out the rules for sending commercial electronic messages legally.
The Department of Internal Affairs has set up an anti-spam unit to investigate complaints about spam from the public and act against spammers in New Zealand who were deliberately flouting the law.
Anti-spam unit manager Joe Stewart said that 99 per cent of spam originates from overseas so it was important to note that the UEM Act would not stop spam.
"What it does enable us to do is to prevent New Zealand becoming a `spammer haven' by allowing us to fight New Zealand-sourced spam.
"The Act also allows us to enter into international agreements to share information and pursue cross-border complaints."
Mr Stewart said the legislation was just part of a range of undertakings to combat spam.
"We will also be actively involved in promoting spam education and awareness, encouraging industry liaison and monitoring emerging technologies."
The penalties for breaching the Act range from formal warnings to infringement notices and court actions - with a maximum fine of $500,000 for an organisation or $200,000 for an individual.
The "spammer' could also be ordered to pay the victims compensation up to the amount of loss suffered and/or damages up to the amount of profit that was made as a result of sending the spam.
Mr Stewart said if people wanted to send clients an electronic message the sender must have the consent of the recipient, clearly identify the sender and the sender's contact details, and include a free unsubscribe facility.
- NZPA
