I've heard a lot of people complain that the spam they gets orginates out of China/Korea/Japan - it's astonishing how many people think they're all the same country, but that's another blog entry - and I know some webhosts just block all Chinese and Korean IP addresses, but spam is a technologically created problem and technology is going to have to solve it. Something to do with authentication and SMTP (don't ask!). But then again something going on in China shows that maybe the politicos could be pushed into doing something worthwhile if spam hits them were it hurts. In China pain comes in the form of political spam. This Associated Press report says the Chinese "government has launched a fight against junk e-mail, fearful that the spam amassing in citizens' inboxes may contain pornography, anti-communist sentiments or other objectionable material". What's the bet it's the second item that worries them most. Now, if we could only think of something that would worry the U.S. (where most spam still originates) authorities, they might be moved to take similar action. (I don't count the recent 'CAN SPAM' bill passed by Congress as credible action.)
Posted by Joe at February 6, 2004 12:12 PMThe problem the US authorities have is that spam is business ... never mind what it's costing the more entrenched businesses. As long as someone is paying to create spam. Come to think of it, Big Business paying to clean up after spammers is good for the economy, too.
Posted by: DJ at February 6, 2004 10:21 PM