SINGAPORE'S Spam Control Act puts in place the requirements that
senders of bulk unsolicited commercial electronic messages must
comply with, such as requiring an unsubscribe facility ('Need to
get laws against cellphone spam up to speed' by Mr Maurice
Williams; last Friday).
It was enacted in 2007 after extensive public consultations from
2003 to 2007, and aims to strike a balance between the need for
businesses to engage in marketing activities and the concerns of
consumers.
The Act adopts a civil-based regime to enforce its requirements.
In other words, parties who have suffered loss or damage due to a
sender's non-compliance with the Act can take direct legal action
against the sender.
Recognising the increasing importance and impact of data
protection on consumers, the Government recently announced its
intention to introduce a general data protection law next year,
which would provide a baseline standard to protect data.
Primarily, the proposed framework aims to curb excessive and
unnecessary collection of personal data by businesses, and prohibit
the unauthorised use and disclosure of such data.
Currently, industry associations such as the Direct Marketing
Association of Singapore, Council for Estate Agencies and
Association of Banks have guidelines in place on marketing
practices by their members.
Ng Sook Fun (Ms)
Director
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore