WASPA code changes target WAP spam
It has been a long time since anyone spoke about Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) said in a press statement today (19 June 2012).
However, according to the association, WAP remains one of the primary ways in which the mobile consumers access data services.
For this reason, WASPA said that it has added strong consumer protection clauses relating to WAP in the latest version of the association’s Code of Conduct.
Version 12.0 of the WASPA Code of Conduct was ratified by members at a recent AGM, with clauses 13.3.2 through to 13.3.4 specifically making provision for WAP ‘push’ messages sent to consumers to “include a short code to which the recipient can send the STOP command to opt-out.”
In addition, “further information on how the recipient can opt out of future promotions must also be available from the WAP site.” The type (e.g. subscription) and cost of the service must also be clearly displayed on the WAP site.
Russel Stromin, chair of WASPA’s Code of Conduct Committee, said that these amendments to the WASPA Code of Conduct represent further tightening up of the rules according to which WASPs conduct their business.
“The addition of new clauses pertaining to WAP services may seem relatively minor but they are the latest in a very long line of enhancements to the WASPA Code of Conduct. What we are seeing now is further evidence of a long term trend of active consumer protection by WASPA,” Stromin said.
“Without codifying the framework within which WASPs operate, anything goes. In an industry where anything goes, nobody feels secure, especially consumers,” said Mr Stromin.
The WASPA Code of Conduct also sets standards for advertising mobile application services, and includes a framework for the provision of adult services, which according to WASPA is to ensure adequate protection of children from potentially harmful content.
A version of the code showing the changes from version 11.6 and an annotated version are available for download via the Code archive page on the WASPA website.
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