BUSINESSES and consumers should soon have more defences to protect them against spam. Data protection commissioner Dr Peter Harris said that proposals due to be placed before the States in the next couple of months would be ‘another weapon in the armoury’.

He spoke of the plans at an anti-spam seminar held at the Training Agency, where the UK’s legislation was also explained to delegates.

Tessa Kelly, director of compliance operations for the UK’s Direct Marketing Association, said that spam referred not just to unsolicited e-mail, but any electronic communication, such as landline and mobile calls and faxes.

‘Spam is sent by organisations that have no regard,’ said Ms Kelly.

‘The seminar is just an overview of the regulations – highlighting the areas of legislation which companies need to be aware of.’

The UK has five years’ experience of rules for marketing by telephone and fax, whereby businesses and consumers can decide to opt in or out of being contacted by various companies.

Preference lists are then bought by organisations and if they contact a number that has opted to be included in such lists, then the consumer can complain to the association.

Under the proposals, local businesses would have to consult before approaching people or businesses.

Her presentation related to both business-to-business and business-to-consumer communication.

For telephone marketing, there was an enforceable right for all subscribers – individuals and businesses – not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing calls, she said.

Rules also exist for fax and automated (non-voice) calls.

Ms Kelly added that the legislation was complex, but the DMA was able to give free advice.

n For more information on data protection, visit www.dpcommission.gov.gg or www.dma.org.uk