SMS Spam Fight

[ProSMS]

To get back to hand-set blocking and why I like it.

Sure it is a great solution, but it will rely on all the handset manufacturers offering this solution, and these phones penetrating the market. This will take quite some time. It will also require the ability for WASPs to assign dedicated numbers to each client. Nevertheless, it is commendable that Vodacom is lobbying the handset manufacturers for this. It should not be an excuse to find alternative solutions though.

There are solutions at operator level that will improve the situation considerably in the short term. One is to address spam from SIM farms.

 

[vodacom3g]

Sure it is a great solution, but it will rely on all the handset manufacturers offering this solution, and these phones penetrating the market. This will take quite some time. It will also require the ability for WASPs to assign dedicated numbers to each client. Nevertheless, it is commendable that Vodacom is lobbying the handset manufacturers for this. It should not be an excuse to find alternative solutions though.

There are solutions at operator level that will improve the situation considerably in the short term. One is to address spam from SIM farms.

These SIM farms are a big problem for you, it seems

I agree the handset solution is not an immediate one, unless you get 3rd-party apps, like the Symbian one. Although it's the perfect solution (as it hurt spammer where most important), I agree with you that it should not stop other initiatives. And it's not.

The dedicated number per WASP client would be a requirement for either network or handset based blocking.

This whole thing probably calls for the industry to get together and come up with a structure.

 

[ProSMS]

These SIM farms are a big problem for you, it seems

It is indeed, but if you investigate this closely you will see it is a big problem for Vodacom as well.

ALL SIM farms use MTN SIM's exclusively. This is because the MTN SMS-only SIMs offer the best price. For all the messages sent from these SIMs to Vodacom phones (lets say 20 million per month), Vodacom earns ZERO. Let's say 10% of this is SPAM, and will not exist under WASPA's jurisdiction, 90% could essentially be sent via an official Vodacom SMPP connection. That is R 3.6 million / month.

The problem with SIM farms is not that it is all SPAM. Most messages are legitimate. Some banks have even used this route. The problem is that it bypasses the WASPA regulations, and transgressions are not penalised. Rogue senders then slowly migrate to this route, bringing the whole industry into disrepute.

If not addressed, the problem will also get bigger. All Vodacom SMPP traffic could eventually go via this route. This will be a loss of R40 million per month.

This whole thing probably calls for the industry to get together and come up with a structure.

This is a great idea, and could be facilitated by WASPA.

 

[Jon]

A major factor and cause of SMS spam which this article didn't mention is international service providers terminating SMSes onto the SA network by by-passing their own connection channels... Essentially what this equates to is that some in South Africa who has an illegal database of mobile numbers can simply search on the internet for a international service provider to send the messages from ANOTHER COUNTRY to the South African mobile numbers on the illegal database. To my knowledge it is almost impossible to track where the messages are originating from and which half the problem. If Cell C's SMS firewall can stop such traffic, happy days to all... BUT at the end of the day, people are still sending unsolicited messages and there is unfortunately nothing the networks can do about it... another than take the route of "report it". Its the same issue as email spam...

As for the question of subscription services and being charged illegally, that is something that is definitely in control of the mobile operators and WASPA in South Africa.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

ALL SIM farms use MTN SIM's exclusively. This is because the MTN SMS-only SIMs offer the best price.

OT

You know what price they do it at? I went Vodacom for my wifes gateway I built (22c per MT) - linux smstools3.

/OT

 

[ProSMS]

A major factor and cause of SMS spam which this article didn't mention is international service providers terminating SMSes onto the SA network ... BUT at the end of the day, people are still sending unsolicited messages and there is unfortunately nothing the networks can do about it... another than take the route of "report it". Its the same issue as email spam...

Not true. The networks are in a position to stop this. It is simply a case of introducing reasonable interconnect charges. This was done by all 4 UK networks in 2003, and sms spam immediately reduced 10fold.

In the early days of GSM, network operators had no idea to what extent SMS would grow. For this reason they did not charge each other for cross network messaging. The SMS interconnect charge was ZERO. At one stage it was even possible to program a foreign SMSC number on your phone, and send messages for free!

In South Africa, Vodacom has been quite pro-active in introducing SMS interconnect charges with foreign networks. MTN and Cell C have been less active in this department.

Vodacom also actively blocks SMSC's from which commercial messaging originates.

It is possible to identify foreign messages from most phones. When viewing a message, click on OPTIONS, then select MESSAGE DETAILS. First the Sender will be shown. Scroll down to see the Message Centre number. If this is an international number, and if it was SPAM, report this to your network operator.

 

[Sackboy]

Then why is it so hard to express an opinion that disagrees with the forum sponsors official line?



You didn't come to the conclusion based on *my* posts, go and read my posts again. You came to your conclusion based on what vodacom3g claimed I had posted, specifically that:
a) I had spoken to someone at Vodacom. I didn't even mention Vodacom in any of the posts I made (prior to the derailment)
b) I had proof in the form of emails, phone records, etc of having spoken to someone at Vodacom. Again, something that he just made up on the spot.
c) the person I spoke to at Vodacom told me that they refuse to implement a global opt-out.

All three of the above statements were made by initially by vodacom3g, immediately followed by a demand that if *I* was going to make these statements then I better have proof.

I didn't make those claims. The only person that brought up all three points was vodacom3g. I never posted anything remotely close to what he said I was saying.

How can you just make up some totally false statement, attribute it to someone else, and then turn around and demand that if they're going to make those statements then they better have some proof. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Please take notice of how Vodacom3g uses SUBTERFUGE.

He did exactly the same to be several times. It only serves to upset people, so I ask him please to engage brain before posting!

As far as spam is concerned, I hate it too, because it fills up my rather limited inbox.

One question I have is whether there are multiple lists for these things. If I fall for the request to 'opt out' of one, does that apply to all or would I have to send multiple messages every time they decide to have a new campaign? Has anyone considered an 'opt in' list instead, or is that inconvenient for the spammers?

 

[ProSMS]

opt-in and opt-out requirements

One question I have is whether there are multiple lists for these things. If I fall for the request to 'opt out' of one, does that apply to all or would I have to send multiple messages every time they decide to have a new campaign? Has anyone considered an 'opt in' list instead, or is that inconvenient for the spammers?

For premium billed subscription services, and explicit opt-in is required. The WASPA code states:
11.1.2. Any request from a customer to join a subscription service must be an independent transaction, with the specific intention of subscribing to a service. A request from a subscriber to join a subscription service may not be a request for a specific content item.
11.1.4. Customers may not be automatically subscribed to a subscription service as a result of a request for any non-subscription content or service.

The opt-out instruction will only apply to the service opted in for.


For "free to end user" commercial messaging, the ECT act allows unsolicited messaging, however, the WASPA Code does not allow unsolicited messaging (cold calling). The WASPA Code only allows messaging where the message recipient has a direct and recent (within the last six months) prior commercial relationship with the message originator and would reasonably expect to receive marketing communications from the originator;

The word "reasonably" is included as consumers are mostly happy with "operational" messages, but for "promotional" messages most prefer an explicit opt in as well. For example, if a consumer enters the Pick&Pay cycle race, notifications and updates pertaining to the race are accepted, but promotional messages from the sponsor after the event would not be appreciated.

Again the opt-out would refer to a particular service. If a reply could pertain to multiple services, either all services should be terminated, or the recipient should be given a choice of service to terminate. The automated opt-out systems offered by WASPs such as Bulksms.com on behalf of clients would block all messages from a particular client.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Sackboy : Please take your trolling regarding V3G elsewhere.... it is not welcome here,

We had a disagreement with Deneem, and we've solved it somewhat.

As for the Opt-Out list thing : Prosms covered it pretty well.

 

[Cords]

How to stop spam

The ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS ACT of 2002 states that:

1. Any person who sends unsolicited commercial communications to consumers, must provide the consumer:
1. with the option to cancel his or her subscription to the mailing list of that person; and
2. with the identifying particulars of the source from which that person obtained the consumer's personal information, on request of the consumer.
2. No agreement is concluded where a consumer has failed to respond to an unsolicited communication.
3. Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to the penalties prescribed in section 89(1).
4. Any person who sends unsolicited commercial communications to a person who has advised the sender that such communications are unwelcome, is guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to the penalties prescribed in section 89(1).

So if you are receiving any unwanted SMS's or Emails from a company they must provide you with a means of unsubscribing from their list. On an email you should find an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom.

In a plain text SMS links are not supported by all phones but there is a sort of undocumented standard for unsubscribing: simply reply with "STOP" and you should be automatically removed from the mailing list in whichever bulk sms engine they use. If you are not removed you should report the sender.
Spam is a Plague

 

[Sackboy]

The ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS ACT of 2002 states that:

1. Any person who sends unsolicited commercial communications to consumers, must provide the consumer:
1. with the option to cancel his or her subscription to the mailing list of that person; and
2. with the identifying particulars of the source from which that person obtained the consumer's personal information, on request of the consumer.
2. No agreement is concluded where a consumer has failed to respond to an unsolicited communication.
3. Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to the penalties prescribed in section 89(1).
4. Any person who sends unsolicited commercial communications to a person who has advised the sender that such communications are unwelcome, is guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to the penalties prescribed in section 89(1).

So if you are receiving any unwanted SMS's or Emails from a company they must provide you with a means of unsubscribing from their list. On an email you should find an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom.

In a plain text SMS links are not supported by all phones but there is a sort of undocumented standard for unsubscribing: simply reply with "STOP" and you should be automatically removed from the mailing list in whichever bulk sms engine they use. If you are not removed you should report the sender.
Spam is a Plague

This idea will never work. If 100 companies start with the spam, you would need to opt-out 100 times, or more. It would be better to opt-in.

 

[Cords]

Absolutely, the South African law is a little behind the rest of the world.

But not to fear even local companies who provide bulk sms and email marketing, are actually force to comply with international regulations. Why? because the upstream suppliers of all hosting companies here (like IS - Internet Solutions) are governed by international law like the Amercian "Can SPAM" act.

The GOOD NEWS for South African consumers is that International legislation is stricter and requires that if a spam complaint is received that the person who sent that commercial email to the complain-er must have on record details of how and when they person opted in to their mailing list. If they cannot produce those details they are liable for a fine (that fine can be big).

If you send through a Spam complaint for an unwanted promotional email (that you didn't optin to), that was sent to you either by a south african company or someone overseas. That complaint goes all the way upstream before it comes back down. And since local hosting companies cannot take the risk of being blacklisted internationally, the international regulations are enforced. You will see this in the terms and conditions of any legitimate bulk sms or email marketing service) - see http://www.touchbasepro.com
This is the kind of service that is used by companies that send out legitimate email newsletters that people actually want, and there is a place for that in the world.

If you send in a spam complaint you may feel a bit peeved that no one responds to it ... don't expect a response back from anyone ... but those complains are addressed. And if a company is found to be violating the consumers privacy by buying list and blasting out junk mail they can and will be fined, up to R50,000.00 per offence.

 

[Deenem]

We had a disagreement with Deneem, and we've solved it somewhat.

Actually it's not resolved, I'm still waiting for vodacom3g to apologies for lying about what I said.

Then again, lying is probably part of him job description, so I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Goodmedalist]

Any progress?

SMS messages are electronic communications and thus fall under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act. 2002 (Act 25 of 2002)


After numerous complaints to RCS Credit/Foshini, I decided to open a case at my local police station. Case was opened on 15 January 2009 (I have a case number). If they are successfully prosecuted, I will tackle the other spammers and post a howto. It took me +/-4 hours to get SAPS to open the case!

Hi

Seems like Vodacom is doing the same thing. They provide an opt-out facility for thier competitions that doesn't work even after numerous complaints by phone and e-mail. I got another sms today after opting out a week ago.

Have you made any progress with your case?

 

[CathJ]

Hi

Seems like Vodacom is doing the same thing. They provide an opt-out facility for thier competitions that doesn't work even after numerous complaints by phone and e-mail. I got another sms today after opting out a week ago.

Have you made any progress with your case?

We've been discussing this over in the VC forum - apparently they are in the process of putting together a proposal to actually make their opt-out work.

 

[Sackboy]

Dear Customer, please be advised that your problem with receiving promotional sms messages is in hand with high level engineering. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. We will inform you once this has been resolved. Kind regards, Vodacom Customer Care

 

[Goodmedalist]

Thanks for your replies!

I'm looking forward to being opted-out.

In the mean time, if mine is not an isolated case, maybe Vodacom's sms advertising system should be taken offline until the opt-out functionality is fixed, since what Vodacom is doing is unlawful and they should be setting a good example to other companies.

 

[xrapidx]

^^ Like that'd ever happen ^^

This is SA, crime isn't important

 

[Kloofvreter]

How many times do we have to say it?

Global Opt-Out Lists

The cellphone companies can stop spam straight away, they're just being pig-headed idiots about it becauser they're worried about their revenues.

IMO they are just another trap to get your email address or phone number

 

[Sackboy]

IMO they are just another trap to get your email address or phone number

I tend to agree. It also explains why some companies refuse to sign up to WASPA and be regulated. Clearly they would be falling foul of the rules on a regular basis.