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ACMA hosts global anti-spam pow-wow

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will this week host a series of meetings between international anti-spam regulators.
Written by Josh Taylor, Contributor

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will this week host a series of meetings between international anti-spam regulators.

The meetings will include the first southern hemisphere meeting of the European network of spam authorities known as the Joint London Action Plan (JLAP).

"Spam is a global problem, so it's vital for the international spam regulatory community to meet and share information," ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said in a statement. "The ACMA is proud to host the [JLAP] workshop for the very first time in Australia."

Citing the importance of a global effort in reducing spam, Chapman highlighted the ACMA's work with the US Federal Trade Commission and the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs last year in penalising Australian-based spammer Lance Thomas Atkinson more than $210,000 for spam-related offences.

"International collaborations are critical to outcomes such as those achieved in the investigation of Mr Atkinson," he said. "This week the ACMA will form new, and strengthen existing, relationships with our international partners, to continue its work as a world leader in anti-spam regulation."

The meetings come as it has been revealed that the US Government is reviewing Australia's voluntary zombie code, which could see internet service providers cut off users' computers who have been found to unknowingly have been spamming other users.

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