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Put a stop to SMS spam

2007-08-02 07:02

Alet van Zyl

Johannesburg - All commercial SMS spam to cellphones must in future contain the option of stopping these adverts with an SMS.

New regulations in effect from August 1 make it compulsory for companies sending SMS messages within South Africa to offer consumers a way of opting out from receiving unsolicited commercial SMSs by replying with the word "stop" from their phone.

The regulation has been introduced by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association (Waspa) and accepted by the South African SMS-messaging industry.

In addition, the "stop" SMS option must appear at the top of the SMS and it may not cost more than a standard SMS, or an alternative option must be provided.

Dr Pieter E Streicher, chief executive of BulkSMS.com, which provides bulk SMS options, says with the "stop" function users will be able to stop unwanted SMSs and have their numbers removed from databases.

- Beeld


Chris 8/2/2007 8:11:03 AM
This should have been done a long time ago, wouldn't it be great if the same could apply to e-mail messages or to companies who keep phoning and starting of with the phrase of "We are currently in your area ...." or "You are the lucky winner ....". We can only hope

Craig 8/2/2007 8:17:13 AM
Sorry, just a question here. Why should I have to spend my hard earned cash to stop the unwarranted invasion of SPAM SMS I never solicitted in the first place? This just doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Surely it should be a case of permission obtained from us before we get bombarded with advertising to stuff we have absolutely no interest in. Where are the rights of the people here?

Peter 8/2/2007 8:43:04 AM
Don't you just HATE receiving unsolicited calls and sms's? We should follow the Australian example. They have a body where you can log your numbers if you do not want to be targeted by unwanted companies. The onus would then be on such companies to check with the body first whether your number is not listed there. Failure to do so may lead to legal action being taken against said company. That is what we should do.

Kobus 8/2/2007 8:47:01 AM
Melz have been sending me such sms but I can't get them to stop.

William 8/2/2007 9:11:34 AM
Additionally;Has anyone noticed the absolute breakdown in communication (coupled with "near anarchic" behaviour) in a society which spends most of its time and (arguably) a third of its income on "communicating" via sms?

Neil 8/2/2007 9:47:00 AM
I have asked the clowns at Nedbank Fourways to stop sending me their junk mail/sms three times! I hope this will force them to stop!ag!

Clive 8/2/2007 10:03:46 AM
I would far rather be able to put my name, cellphone number and email address on a "do not contact" database, which all advertisers have to subscribe to. Anyone who sends unsolicited advertising to someone on the database should then receive a heavy fine!

Techie 8/2/2007 10:35:16 AM
It should be possible to set up the STOP service in such a manner that it is charged to the originator of the spam. That would make senders of spam treat somewhat more carefully...

Carolina 8/2/2007 11:16:44 AM
I quite agree with Techie. What about the numerous calls one gets from companies trying to solicit their products, with the caller repeating your name about 10 times in one sentence. I know my name, for heavens sake! Ask them where they got yr # from only to be told "DataCell" which, surprise, surprise, do not exist!! I also agree with Peter. Maybe our comments will make them move in that direction. Come all, let us be heard!

Gert vd Westhuizen 8/2/2007 11:29:42 AM
Here is how it works, maybe opening a can of worms here ? I recently ported my number from vodacom to mtn, and now have a vodacom number on mtn account. All well there, except the sms part is piggy-backed on a mtn number, so if I reply STOP, I am asking to stop a sms that was not sent to my number? Confused ? So was I, when I started receiving sms messages not intended for me, being sent to my "data" line number......how portable is this setup .... STOP WILL NOT WORK

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