Vietnam Issues New Decree Against Spam E-Mail

Text of report in English by state-run Vietnamese news agency VNA website

[Unattributed article from the "Business" page: "New decree has spammers facing 5,000 USD fines"]

Hanoi (VNA) -Organizations and individuals who send spam mail and text messages or trade in e-mail addresses may be fined up to 80 million VND (5,000 USD), according to the newly-issued Decree on Anti-spam mail.

The decree bans organizations and individuals from using electronic means to deliver spam messages, exchange or trade e-mail addresses or deliver software products that collect e-mail addresses, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Spammers who send e-mail and text messages which aim to chat, disturb people, spread viruses, or advertise will be fined, the ministry said.

Fines from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND will be imposed on those who collect e-mail addresses for advertising without the consent of e-mail owners.

Fines of 5-10 million VND will be given to those who allow others to use their electronic devices to deliver spam e-mails.

And fines of 20-40 million VND will be set for those who trade in and diffuse software products that collect e-mail addresses.

Organizations that provide advertising services through e-mail and text messages without the receivers’ consent will be fined up to 80 million VND.

Originally published by VNA news agency website, Hanoi, in English 23 Aug 08.

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