April 15, 2004
FTC Bans Meanness
Oh, yeah, that will work.
On my way to work, I pass the San Francisco Mission police station. Shortly after 9/11 (I’d guess; I wasn’t in the country then), the curbs to either side of it were painted off as “No Stopping Any Time” zones. This was a brilliant idea: suicide car bombers are always deterred by traffic regulations. (“Curses, our plot against the decadent West is foiled! The enemy has learned that we never double park!”)
Spam is a huge problem, and I have no sympathy whatsoever for cretins who send bulk unsolicited email of any kind, sexually-explicit or no. But the thing that the FTC seems to be missing (or, more than likely, wilfully ignoring) is that these people have already demonstrated that they have no problem whatsoever with breaking the law. I will be astonished if even one prosecution results from this new little tidbit.
The only companies that will obey the new regulation are honest, ethical companies that wouldn’t spam anyway, since they have reputations to lose, and don’t try to hide. The really bad people will just ignore it, and will then have yet another competitive advantage. Brilliant move, guys; thanks for promoting honest commerce.
No magic cure for spam exists, but one thing that would help tremendously is contained in four little words: “Right of private action.” But that’s a different post’s topic.
posted 09:38