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The Internet Industry Association today announced that it was fast tracking the release of a comprehensive industry code for ISPs to provide a common platform of best practice in tackling spam.

IIA chief executive, Peter Coroneos, said the finalisation of an ISP Spam Code was the "logical next step" in a succession of initiatives the IIA has driven to counter spam in Australia since 1998.

"Recognising that most spam originates offshore, we must still do all we can to make sure Australia doesn't become part of the global spam problem," said Mr Coroneos.

"Much of our early thinking on spam is reflected in Australian anti-spam legislation and IIA Codes covering online content and privacy. We are pleased that consent will become the hallmark of appropriate commercial email use in Australia."

"It now makes sense to return to the ISP sector where we first started our work, to finalise and then implement best practice standards for managing spam at the network and customer interface levels."

The IIA Spam Code for ISPs will complement Australia's new antispam laws, an e-marketing industry code currently being developed and IIA's end user empowerment programs. The latter include the national 'Nospam' free spam filter trials, the 'Don't try - Don't buy - Don't reply' global education campaign and the free IIA Security Portal which provides detailed information on spam and security issues.

The IIA aims to release a consultation draft of its ISP Spam Code and in accordance with standard IIA code development processes, will invite input from both industry, regulatory and consumer stakeholders.

"Public consultation is inevitably a requirement for code registration. But in any case, we consider it essential to creating safeguards that will gain widespread industry and public support. Our spam code will be no exception," he said.

Background
The IIA Nospam initiative is accessible at
http://www.iia.net.au/nospam

Information about the "Don't try - Don't buy - Don't reply' campaign is
available at
http://www.spamcampaign.net.

The IIA Security Portal is accessible at
http://www.security.iia.net.au