The Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has successfully prosecuted its
first spammer under the country's Spam Act laws.
Wayne Mansfield, and his company Clarity1, were found to have illegally sent
more than 56 million spam messages to email addresses around the world during
the 12 months since the Act was introduced in April 2004.
In April 2005 authorities in Australia raided a suspected spam factory in
Perth, during which the contents of computer hard disks and other material were
seized.
Justice Nicholson of the Federal Court in Perth rejected defence pleas that
recipients had consented to receive the emails. The court will determine what
penalty Mansfield should receive at a later date.
"The ACMA should be applauded for presenting a thorough case against Wayne
Mansfield, and for cutting off the tidal wave of spam originating from his
company," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at
Sophos.
"Australia's Spam Act is a positive step towards eradicating spam from down
under. However, it is international cooperation, legislation, law enforcement,
technology and user education that will spell the end for spam."
ACMA and Australia's Internet Industry Association recently registered the
world's first legislation-backed industry code of practice to counter spam.
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article