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The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and the Australian High Tech Crime Centre are cooperating in the fight against spam.
ACA Acting Chairman Dr Bob Horton announced today that the ACA has staff stationed inside the Australian High Tech Crime Centre in Canberra, allowing them to efficiently exchange information and expertise about cyber offences with police investigators and to work jointly on cases. ACA anti-spam staff bring a mix of skills from investigations experience through to anti IT hacking skills to the centre.
Dr Horton made the announcement when he visited the centre today to meet its Director, Federal Agent Alastair MacGibbon.
Dr Horton said several global software companies—Brightmail, Sophos, SurfControl and Microsoft—had also agreed to help the ACA in fighting spam by providing technical expertise and information.
The Spam Act 2003 came into force on 10 April 2004 and prohibits the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages with an Australian link. The ACA is responsible for implementing and enforcing the legislation.
Breach of the Act can result in fines of up to $1.1 million per day for repeat offenders, who may also be ordered to forfeit profits and pay compensation to those affected by the spam.
The Australian Government and Australian industry have a multi-layered strategy for combating spam, with five main elements—strong legislation, technological measures, industry partnerships, education of consumer and business end-users and international cooperation.
Further information for consumers about anti-spam measures and good internet security practices is available from the ACA website (click on Spam). The information is also available in the ACA's consumer guide, Fighting Spam in Australia, which can be downloaded from the ACA website. A printed version is also available, as part of the ACA's Internet Toolkit, by calling 1800 35 11 35. Further information about good internet security practices is also available from the Internet Industry Association website.
The Australian Communications Authority is a government regulator of telecommunications and radiocommunications
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