HK adopts new measures to stop junk faxes

Updated at 4.19pm: The government is introducing more stringent measures to stop junk faxes, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said on Monday.

Under the new measures, an operator of a fixed telecommunications network service (FTNS) could disconnect lines provided to a subscriber at a registered address if two complaints were filed against the subscriber for sending a junk fax, a government spokesman said.

The lines would be disconnected within five days notice, he added.

Previously, junk fax senders would have lines disconnected after three complaints, but no notice period was given.

OFTA has introduced new guidelines on fax scams. Under these, senders should print their names, telephone or fax numbers on the first page of the fax message. They should also provide a contact number for recipients who do not want to receive faxes in future.

Senders of fax advertisements are not allowed to send advertisements to people who have requested not to receive them. In February, the government started a campaign to fight spam and other unsolicited electronic messages.

Last year, more than 400 lines were cut by operators due to complaints about junk faxes.

The spokesman said the government had been supported by FTNS operators to simplify the steps under the ?Code of Practice on the Procedures for Handling Complaints against Senders of Unsolicited Fax Advertisements? (the CoP).

?The voluntary CoP seeks to reduce junk faxes before legislation against unsolicited electronic messages is in place,? the spokesman said.

?Unsolicited electronic messages, including junk faxes, will be tackled by the future legislation under which penalties will be imposed on the senders of unsolicited electronic messages.?

For more information, visit OFTA?s web site at: http://www.ofta.gov.hk/en/junkfax/main.html