Code of practice for ISPs requires providers to counter spam

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has registered a code of practice for internet service providers and email service providers on countering spam. The code was developed in support of the Spam Act 2003 by the Internet Industry Association in conjunction with the internet associations from Western Australia and South Australia.

"Australia is again leading the world in the global fight against spam, which will require joint action by industry, regulators and end-users," said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. "This is the first legislative code of practice for internet and email service providers in the world, and I highly commend the Australian internet industry on its work against the problem of spam."

The new code, Internet Industry Spam Code Of Practice - A Code For Internet And Email Service Providers requires internet service providers and email service providers to provide spam filtering options to their subscribers. It also requires internet service providers and email service providers to give end-users information about how to deal with spam and to have in place a process for handling complaints from subscribers.

The code sets out how internet service providers and email service providers will address the sources of spam within their own networks, including actual spammers, misconfigured customer email servers and the virus-infected computers used to spread spam (known as ‘zombies’).

The code includes a range of suggested technical best practices for hardening the network against spam and related threats such as zombies. These are consistent with the technical best practices being promoted by global internet service provider and email service provider associations.

Industry codes represent one element of Australia’s multilayered strategy against spam, which includes legislation, technical counter-measures, education and awareness initiatives and international cooperation.

The Australian internet industry is already actively combating spam. For example, three-quarters of all internet service providers in Australia already voluntarily offer a spam filtering product to their customers as either a free or charged service (Australian Bureau of Statistics figures).

The code applies to all of the 689 active internet service providers in Australia, as well as those global email service providers such as Hotmail and Yahoo providing services in Australia. The code obligations will come into force on 16 July 2006.

A copy of the code is available at www.spam.acma.gov.au.