AU spammer fired, employer says - News - Business

To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu

--------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
--------------------------------------------------------------

AU spammer fired, employer says

By Patrick Gray, 0
December 01, 2003
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/AU-spammer-fired-employer-says/0,139023166,120281498,00.htm

A NSW-based marketing manager has been fired for spamming Australian Internet users, according to his employer.

Internet-based freight services company Ezysend said it took the action in response to an enquiry by ZDNet Australia. Ezysend managing director, Darren Gibson claims the employee acted without the authorisation of the board of directors, and has warned other companies to be careful when considering engaging in Internet marketing.

"Spam is not a part of Ezysend's marketing objectives," an apologetic Gibson said. "It was not authorised by me or any of the directors."

The company actually has an anti-spam policy, Gibson said -- even the full-time marketing manager's employment contract contained an 'anti-spamming clause', which was the basis for his termination.

"We have a clause... which specifically relates to having an anti-spam policy," he said.

The apparently overzealous manager was on an incentive plan "based on new registrations and new business," Gibson said.

In order to avoid ending up in a similar predicament, Gibson recommends placing tighter controls on marketing budget sign-offs.

"I'm going to take away the control over the amount of money that can be spent without approval from the board of directors," he said.

The spam originated from a third party source, Gibson explained. "It went through a third party company... I know nothing about them. The spam didn't come from Ezysend's servers."

Spamming is currently legal in Australia. However, new Bills outlawing the practice are set to pass through the Senate before the end of the year. While the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Australian Democrats have added amendments to the Act in the Senate, the ALP has indicated it will pass the Bills even if the amendments are removed by the Lower House.