THE European Union has asked nine member nations that have failed to adopt
a privacy law intended to help the fight against unwanted email to
describe how they intend to comply with the law.
Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Portugal, and Sweden must provide the explanation within two months of
face possible court action. The law went into effect October 31.
The law aims to reduce internet fraud and protect legitimate businesses by
banning companies from sending unsolicited email, plucking personal data
from web sites or pinpointing the locations of satellite-linked mobile
phone users.
The EU hopes to eradicate unwanted email, which makes up half of internet
traffic, according to the European Commission. However, the legislation
stops short of describing how nations can purge and punish senders, who
easily cloak their identities on the internet.
Anyone with an email address and an urge to peddle wares online can buy
cheap software to send messages to millions of people in a matter of days.
Six countries - Austria, Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Spain - have
taken steps to adopt the EU law.
"It is urgent that member states adopt a consistent legislative approach
to such issues," said Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and the
Information Society. "This will strengthen consumer confidence in
e-commerce and electronic services