Australian Firm Warned to Stop Sending Spam SMS

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued a formal warning to PR Marketing and Media Group Pty Ltd, a mobile telephone subscription chat service, for allegedly contravening the Spam Act 2003.

ACMA alleges that PR Marketing and Media Group sent commercial electronic messages by SMS that were unsolicited, did not contain accurate sender information, and did not contain a functional unsubscribe facility, as required by the Act.

"ACMA's recent crackdown on compliance with the Spam Act by SMS marketers has been integral to raising awareness of SMS spam amongst the general public and the business community," said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

In other recent outcomes relating to SMS, ACMA has issued infringement notices totalling $110,000 to Optus Networks and has accepted enforceable undertakings from EMX and Oxygen8 Communications Australia.

Under the Act, potential penalties of up to $1.1 million per day may be imposed by the Federal Court for repeat offenders.

Posted to the site on 25th March 2009