What is spam?
They are unsolicited messages sent in bulk, generally of a commercial or advertising nature. They arrive by different routes: email, postal mail, cell phones, fax, etc., the most common being those sent over the internet.
What consequences does Spam bring?
Depending on the amount, they can “plug” an e-mail box, transfer viruses, make the user waste time deleting them to free up the capacity of his box and include internet connection costs. It is estimated that one out of every two messages is spam or “junk mail”.
What does the law say about it?
In Chile, the Consumer Law sanctions this commercial practice as it considers that it violates the consumer’s right to free choice, especially their right to privacy. Therefore, users have the right to demand that they be removed from recipient lists.
How does the law punish spam?
The law obliges whoever sends a promotional or advertising communication by email, to indicate:
- the subject matter in the heading (subject or subject).
- identify who is sending the mail (sender)
- indicate a valid address to which the suspension of shipments can be requested.
The individualization of who sends the mail should allow knowing which provider is behind, their name, address, activity, representatives, telephone numbers and all other relevant data. Anonymous emails or emails with incomplete information violate the Law.
If once the suspension of messages has been requested, the sending persists, the sender may be punished with a fine of up to 50 UTM.
Recommendations to avoid spam
- Do not give your email address to just anyone. Spam authors have very sophisticated tools to collect these addresses. The virtual chains, is one of them.
- Use filters that redirect unwanted messages to a folder other than your email inbox. Mail programs themselves usually have filter systems.
- Have a specialized anti-spam program. You can download them for free from the internet (AntiSpam 1.0, Bounce Spam Mail 1.8, CYBERSitter Anti-Spam 1.0, Deadletter 1.12, E-Mail Remover 2.4, MailShield 1.0, MailTalkX 2.3, Spam Bait Creator 1.0)
How is the State protected against Spam?
The State has created a technical standard for its distributions in order to minimize the reception of these unwanted massive messages, since they unnecessarily overload the system, cause viruses and malicious codes, and can endanger the integrity and subsistence of the electronic documentation of Government.
