Canada Introduces Bill C-28 to Combat Spam with Hefty Fines

Spam is arguably the most irritating aspect of the internet and email for people globally. However, there is hope in Canada for those who have been targeted by spammers.

A new law, Bill C-28, aims to facilitate government efforts in prosecuting and fining individuals and companies guilty of sending spam. This law allows the government to impose fines of up to $1 million on individuals and up to $10 million on companies. Company directors and owners can also be held personally responsible if they are aware their networks are sending spam. Additionally, the law criminalizes the use of aliases or false information in emails, making it easier for victims to prosecute offenders.

However, nearly 70 percent of the world’s spam is distributed by botnets, meaning the senders are often as much victims as the receivers. Therefore, these laws might not significantly reduce the volume of spam sent and received.

The new legislation closes a loophole in Canadian law, as Canada was previously the only G8 nation without formal anti-spam legislation. It is hoped that the new law will prompt Canadian companies to ensure that everyone on their email list is a genuine subscriber. Since consumers can now file formal complaints with the CRTC and pursue private civil claims, companies that do not comply could face substantial costs.

In the meantime, users should explore free anti-spam software, such as POPFile, eXpurgate, and Spamilator. These programs can help block spam effectively and are available at no cost. Additionally, there are many other free anti-spam tools available online, so conducting a search for these solutions is also worthwhile.

Despite the implementation of such laws, it is unfortunate that spam will likely never be completely eradicated. However, these measures do make it easier for internet and email users to take action against local spammers, potentially leading to more responsible advertising practices by companies.

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