“ Spamming is truly the scourge of the Information Age. This problem has become so widespread that it has begun to burden our information infrastructure. Entire new networks have to be constructed to deal with it, when resources would be far better spent on educational or commercial needs.”

– United States Senator Conrad Burns

Spam may be defined as Unsolicited Bulk E-Mail (UBE) or Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail (UCE). In either case, it is important to note that Spam is “Unsolicited” which means that there is no prior relationship between the parties concerned and the recipient has not explicitly consented to receive the communication.

How to prevent spam

Spam doesn’t have to be a visible part of your daily digital life. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can learn how to stop spam emails and also reduce the amount of general spam sent your way.

• Use your email client’s spam-reporting function. Most popular email providers will have a handy button you can click to report an email as spam. By doing this, you can “train” your email to get better at detecting spam. Any emails detected in this way will be sent straight to your spam folder, bypassing your inbox entirely. If your selected email client isn’t auto-detecting spam and phishing emails, switch to one that does.

• Conversely, tell your email client which emails are not spam. Often, take a gander at your spam folder, and if you find anything in there that doesn’t belong, move it to your inbox. This helps your spam filter learn which emails it can ignore.

• Sign up for things with disposable or fake email addresses. Lots of ecommerce platforms and internet services require an email address for use. If it’s not absolutely necessary, don’t use your primary email. You never know who’s going to sell it to a spammer.

• Don’t engage with spam in any way. This applies to all types of spam, not just emails. Don’t click links, don’t download attachments, and never respond to a spammer. If you do, it may lead them to believe that you are a receptive target — meaning that they’ll send you more spam.

• Don’t publish your contact information. Spammers can and do find contacts online. Try your best to keep your online presence as private as possible. This also extends to your phone number and physical address.

• If someone you know has sent you spam, tell them. If you’ve received a spam message from a trusted contact, tell them that their account has been hacked and used for spamming. This way, they can take corrective measures and regain control.

Spam legislation is non-existent in India. The much-touted Information Technology Act of 2000 does not discuss the issue of spamming at all. It only refers to punishment meted out to a person, who after having secured access to any electronic material without the consent of the person concerned, discloses such electronic material to any other person. It does not have any bearing on violation of individual’s privacy in Cyberspace. The illegality of spamming is not considered.

Other cogent reasons for introducing comprehensive legislation to curb, control and penalize spammers are:

• The Delhi High Court acknowledged the absence of appropriate legislation concerning spam in a recent case wherein Tata Sons Ltd and its subsidiary Panatone Finwest Ltd filed a suit against McCoy Infosystems Pvt Ltd for transmission of spam. It was held that in the absence of statutory protection to check spam mails on Internet, the traditional tort law principles of trespass to goods as well as law of nuisance would have to be used.

• With the growing number of Internet users every day and the increasing proportion of junk e-mail, it is essential that measures be taken to curb spam before it assumes gargantuan proportions like in the United States.

Consumer Protection Act 1986 Vs. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Aishwarya Sandeep

With the establishment of the Indian arm of the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-Mails (an International Organization against spam) some efforts are being made to combat the spam menace. However, in the absence of stringent laws and technical advancements, the proliferation of spam seems inevitable.

Aishwarya Says:

I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.

If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.

Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter  Youtube and Instagram.

The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.

If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com

We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.

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