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Australian Gov't Officials Accuse Lobbyists Of Spam; Block Emails
from the who's-right? dept
Down in Australia, the New South Wales Premier (or, at least, people working in his office) are apparently so annoyed at an environmental lobbying group who sent them 1700 emails via government webform that officials have accused the lobbyists of breaking anti-spam laws and have blocked emails sent from the organization while also threatening to report the spamming to law enforcement. Of course, there are a few problems, such as the fact that the local anti-spam law only covers commercial emails and also says the law cannot be used to infringe on the right to political communication. Still, even if it's not breaking the law specifically, it's hard to feel much sympathy for a lobbying group that thinks the most effective way to get its message across is to send 1700 emails to politicians -- all from the same IP address. The lobbyist is complaining to the government that "an email is a legitimate form of communication with the Government as much as a printed letter is." That's certainly true, but the lobbyist should at least be willing to admit he may have gone a bit overboard in overloading the system with so many messages.
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Overboard
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OTOH, using a database of names, addresses, etc. to automate a mass emailing would pass the "spam, for sure" common-sense smell test, for me at least.
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Re: Overboard
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So...
The lobbyist is complaining to the government that "an email is a legitimate form of communication with the Government as much as a printed letter is."
Perhaps they don't have the option of pursuing legal action but sure as hell can block that IP address.
Block IP address, throw away 1700 junk mail letters, it all the same.
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Cost of postage
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More spam, more spam!
I think all lobbyists should spam all politicians all the time. I can't wait until they get serious about this in the States. Then it will be millions of spams, neverending.
Perhaps emptying their mailboxes all day will keep the dickheads out of our business.
Sorry! I just keep laughing.
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Re: Re: Overboard
What? You surely can't be serious. You've obviously never heard of "bulk mailings".
Yes, but the post office gives a huge subsidy/discount to bulk mailers.
Bulk mailers can do millions.
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