The Silicon Republic writes:
"Tough new Irish laws will see businesses face fines up to €250,000 if they are found guilty of sending unsolicited email.
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan has signed new legislation to tackle spamming and other unsolicited communications.
Under the new regulations, unsolicited mail for direct marketing purposes will be an indictable offence.
The Data Protection Commissioner can refer serious breaches of the legislation for prosecution through the Circuit Court where fines of up to €250,000 or 10pc of the company’s turnover, whichever is greater, can be imposed.
Fines for less serious offences will increase from €3,000 to €5,000.
Is this just another spam law? One comment by an Irish public official raised some concerns for me. Billy Hawkes, Data Protection Commission said, "Increasingly, in this period of economic downturn, my Office is receiving complaints about businesses making unsolicited contact with their past customers for marketing purposes."
So apparently in Ireland, a previous business relationship is not adequate permission to send an email promotion?
p.s. Hat tip to Chris Wheeler from Datran Media for pointing this out.
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