Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Cybersecurity

    FTC Endorses Bounty for Spammers

    Written by

    Wayne Rash
    Published September 17, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has given its endorsement to a plan that would reward insiders for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people or companies that produce spam.

      In a report released Thursday, the FTC said that some anti-spam proposals, such as a “Do Not Spam” list similar to the agencys highly successful “Do Not Call” list, would not work and could make spam worse. But the agency said in its report that providing monetary rewards for turning in spammers could work in some cases.

      The FTC said it is important to reward only what it calls “high-value” information. This information is the type that would be provided by employees in a spammers organization, or perhaps by friends or family members. The agency is suggesting rewards ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

      The rationale for such rewards is that employees of spammers would be justifiably concerned about the loss of their own income if the company they work for is closed because of spam arrests, or that they may lose their jobs if word gets out that they provided the critical information.

      The agency is sending its recommendations to Congress, suggesting that the bounty for spammers be written into law. Detailed recommendations for the legislation will be provided to Congress for consideration.

      But not everyone agrees with the FTC. Pete Kosmala, assistant director of the Email Service Provider Coalition, said his organization takes issue with the FTC proposal. “It puts too much power in the hands of the anti-spam community,” he said.

      He noted that ESPC is in favor of strong legislation with stiff penalties, but he said he worries that legitimate businesses could be adversely affected by spam whistleblowers. “There needs to be due diligence,” he said.

      Kosmala said the ESPC has been working closely with the FTC on other anti-spam measures, including SPF and Sender ID. “Were very strongly anti-spam,” he said.

      /zimages/6/28571.gifClick here to read about sharp reactions to Microsofts e-mail authentication patent, which could limit alternatives.

      Others have fewer reservations. Les Seagraves, chief privacy officer at EarthLink, said the big ISP is all in favor of the bounty concept. “Anything that helps bring spammers to justice is fine with us,” he said, calling the FTC proposal a positive step.

      Seagraves said EarthLink is already deeply involved in fighting spam. He said that when the company learns the identity of a spammer, it works with the government to bring the individual to justice. He also said EarthLink has been active in tracking spammers on its own—and suing them when it can.

      He also said he feels a lot more needs to be done thats beyond the capabilities of any ISP, no matter how large. For that reason, he said, it was necessary for the federal government to take a role. He said hes sure there are plenty of spammers that could be found and shut down.

      /zimages/6/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms Messaging & Collaboration Center at http://messaging.eweek.com for more on IM and other collaboration technologies.

      /zimages/6/77042.gif

      Be sure to add our eWEEK.com messaging and collaboration news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page

      Wayne Rash
      Wayne Rash
      https://www.eweek.com/author/wayne-rash/
      Wayne Rash is a content writer and editor with a 35-year history covering technology. He’s a frequent speaker on business, technology issues and enterprise computing. He is the author of five books, including his most recent, "Politics on the Nets." Rash is a former Executive Editor of eWEEK and a former analyst in the eWEEK Test Center. He was also an analyst in the InfoWorld Test Center and editor of InternetWeek. He's a retired naval officer, a former principal at American Management Systems and a long-time columnist for Byte Magazine.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×