Spammers face tri-nation crackdown

The UK government has joined forces with the US and Australia to fight the growing problem of spam.

An agreement brokered by the three nations will see law enforcement authorities co-operate in initiatives to track down and prosecute spammers.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the three countries, guaranteeing closer working, including training efforts to investigate spam, and strengthening capabilities to trace and convict spammers.

"With most spam coming from outside the UK this deal puts the fight against spam on a global footing," said e-commerce minister Stephen Timms in a statement.

The memorandum provides a framework to investigate "serious spam violations". These are defined as sending commercial email containing deceptive or misleading content without providing a method for recipients to stop the emails.

"Our countries will not be havens for spammers, and we are calling on other countries to join us in this initiative," said Timms.

The Office of Fair Trading will meet this October to examine methods of combating spam, with 30 countries expected to be represented.

See also:

Nearly two-thirds of all emails now spam

Firm warns of lasting damage to internet business as spam rates continue to rise  28 Jul 2004

ITU wants spam dead within two years

Conference delegates call for international co-operation to defeat 'epidemic'  07 Jul 2004

Common anti-spam standard ready soon

Industry likely to agree on IP-based sender authentication scheme  25 Jun 2004

Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL push anti-spam plans

Anti-Spam Technical Alliance publishes recommendations on best practice  23 Jun 2004

ITU talks aim to kill off 'spam plague'

World's telco giants discuss plans to combat unsolicited email  13 Jun 2004

Spammers consider UK a soft touch

'Derisory sanctions' of European e-privacy law has made spam problem worse, warn experts  11 Jun 2004

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