@AdvocatesDevil: You realize that Mediamatters made up that FoxNews made it up, don't you?

@chrisjames: Seconded.

@Skaperen: It is helpful to the politicos who can squawk about how much they did to stop text message spam...

Up to 15 numbers can be on the list at one time and the block lasts for 3 months. It blocks both texts and calls from that number.

[mediamatters.org]

I'm tired of getting calls and text messages telling me to text back to renew the automotive warranty on my old 99 Mazda that never had a warranty to begin with...

/no, I don't miss my landline

What we need is an international committee that has the authorization to cut a country off the internet if they don't want to comply.

@MMD: I just joined AT&T and kept getting those, kept texting back STOP, and kept receiving them. I think I sent STOP about five times.

Is there a way to add my number to the "Do not send any text messages with 'OMG' or 'lol' list"?

@bohemian: On the Verizon vtext.com site, log in, and go to preferences. Then select TEXT BLOCKING. You have 3 options for

Block all messages sent from e-mail? Yes No

Block all messages sent from the web? Yes No

Allow messages sent to my Nickname@vtext.com only. Yes No

You also have the following:

Block up to 15 messages from individual e-mail addresses, web sites, domain names, or Wireless Nickname's by entering the address:

(Example: Richard@anywhere.com, domain.com, or sam@vtext.com)

There are 15 entries for those values.

@YouDidWhatNow?:

Allowing consumers to go postal on spammers might solve some problems. I know I would have problems convicting somebody seeking revenge on a spammer.

The Do Not Call list does not work against robocallers pinging every numerically possible telephone number.

IF the DNC list did work then my inbox would not be filled up with solicitations for FREE GRANT Money.

The spam issue is about taking (and very much in the depriving the owner of use) computer/network resources. To avoid the 1A issues, the law needs to focus on the theft aspect and not touch on the content of messages at all. Simply borrow from the same categorization of senders that the DNC list law uses, and apply it to email. But instead of actually having a list, define a specific way to let domain name owners indicate their preference to opt out, such as "no spam" in the SMTP connection response.

Suppose a used car dealer lives across the street from you. He puts a sign up on his lawn that says he has some cars for sale at deep discount prices. That's one thing. But now suppose he puts the sign on YOUR lawn, facing at your front window? Do you see a 1A issue with you charging him with a crime?

@Darrone: Or 75 add-ons funding "community outreach" programs and protections for marsh rats in San Francisco.

I doubt this will stop spammers at all. They will either use "spoofed" or "unknown" numbers/addresses to avoid getting caught. Bunch of bloody knob-gobbling wankers...

Not sure about other carriers, but you can block these messages on a Verizon phone. If you go into your online account, you can change your texting preferences to not recieve emails or web texts (but you can still get them from other cell phones). You can also call them and have them block premium text messaging (the ones that end up on your bill as a monthly subscription). I never get spam on my phone anymore!

@nakedscience: It's weird I get those messages maybe once or twice a week whereas my husband doesn't get any. We're on a family plan together and I've tried texting stop but never receive a confirmation message. I've even called 611 to talk to customer service and they say they have no list to remove me from.

What a complete waste of time and effort.

Why aren't they banning ALL unsolicited calls? Because those who want to spam people pay donations to their party.

If I don't give permission, companies have no right to call me. Telling me that I have to opt out is a sign of a politician on the take.

Go here: [tmcallerid.com]
Click to email their DNC specialist (His name is David).

In your email, give David the phone number that is calling you and your phone number*.

David will make the calls stop IF:
1. The number calling you is not an 800 number.
2. The number calling you is one of their clients.

*If you want, give him your # after he identifies whether the calls are coming from one of his clients.

David was able to make the calls to both my office phone ON my cell phone stop.

...why don't we remind our esteemed legislators about how wildly successful the CAN-SPAM act has been in corraling junk email in the USA...

Oh, that's right...it made no difference. Shock and horror, it turns out that the people who send out junk email don't actually care if it's illegal or not. One more waste of time and money in Washington.

So please excuse me if I don't get all hot and bothered about this stupid act. Our government needs to pull it's head out of it's collective ass and work on things that will both have an impact, and be enforceable. This BS is neither.

We have too many laws on the books now that either aren't (or can't be) enforced.

Even controled environments (like the Yahoo Finance message boards) get hundreds or perhaps thousands of serial spam messages per day.

We are on the "do not call list" and the "auto warranty" and "lower your credit card interest" people continue to call.

We have one email address that gets 5 or 6 spam messages per day from the same spammer. I report all to road runner. They stop a few but the messages keep morphing and getting through.

So the issue, it seems to me, is one of intent. If we really want to stop spam, then we must send spammers to jail and that raises all kinds of first ammendment issues.

I would love to have an anti-spam law; but I don't want one with no teeth.

@bones11: I've had ATT for a LONG time and have never received one of those texts.

Would this stop ATT from sending me text messages about promotions and new service features even though they are my mobile carrier? I've tried opting out several times to no avail.