Alone this Xmas? Find SEXY Singles 2 cuddle up 2 @ Flame Chat.
Sms FLAME to 76699 & win a Xmas dinner + $500 cash! Sms FLAME
to 76699. 99 cents per sms sent/rcvd
This is NOT the first time that I've seen SMSes like this. And
honestly, besides being annoyed, I am also shocked and concerned
with the content of the smses. According to one of Singtel's
Customer Service Officers, these Third Party Content Providers
(official term used to describe them), have their own database of
numbers, where they would randomly send smses to.
Naturally, my first concern is, "How did they get my number??" I am
SURE I did not suscribe to this "advertising" service. Its fine
that Singtel or other Telco send a few of these smses regarding
offers and deals. Thats OKAY!
But to recieve a blatantly suggestive sms? Again, according to
Singtel Operators, they informed me that they do not have control
over the contents of these Third Party Content Providers. I agree,
that they need not have control over the contents of these
providers. But shouldn't SOMEONE be monitoring their content? And
what action can be taken against this kind of SMS spam? Hey, at
least we got spam blockers for emails right?
My other concern is the reciepient sms that have such content. What
if they are under the age of 18? There is no statement in the sms
that says "users under 18 must seek parental consent " is there?
Wouldn't this put our youths at risk from sex predators?
Finally, the sms does not contain any information that identifies
the service provider. I had to call up Singtel to ask them to find
out who on earth sent me this sms. I was informed again by Singtel
operators, that the SMS SHOULD HAVE contained the company name of
the service provider, AND an office number. Yet it does not.
I appreciate Singtel's Customer Service Officer for helping track
down the company. And I think they did a good job given their
limited powers.
Question is now, is there a way the government can look into
companies such as Mtouch Pte Ltd, (the source of the sms)? Most
importantly, monitor and remove inappropriate content. Suggesting a
SEXY encounter to someone who is under 18 or perhaps even younger
is definitely INAPPROPRIATE!