First complaints as law comes into effect

Eleven complaints regarding unsolicited e-mail, faxes and telesales calls were received by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority yesterday, as the first phase of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance came into effect. Four of the complaints involved junk e-mails, four involved faxes and three were complaints about unwanted telesales calls. The maximum penalty for breaching the new law is a fine of up to HK$1 million and imprisonment for up to five years. The second phase of the law will allow people to register to opt out of receiving telesales calls. It is scheduled to come into effect by the end of the year.