People often receive spam messages, and while most of them can end up in a spam folder, it is not a rule. It’s particularly irritating, especially when looking for an important email, but getting one of the spam messages that only consume our inbox. In some situations, the desire to get revenge may arise, leading to curiosity about how to sign someone up for spam texts.
Whether to make fun of a friend or take revenge on annoying spammers, you must know how to do it anonymously and consider all the risks associated with violating confidentiality and current legislation. Keep reading this review to learn about spam messages and how using uMobix phone tracker can help.
What Is a Spam Message?
Spam texts are unwanted messages that people receive without asking for them. These are often sent out in large numbers to many people at once. Unlike normal calls or texts, spam messages usually have dishonest or unwanted purposes, like advertising, scamming, or tricking people.
The main goal of spam is often to:
- Promote products or services without permission
- Share news (especially if you use their app or created an account on their website)
- Collect personal or sensitive data
- Commit fraud by pretending to be a trusted source
- Install harmful software
- Steal confidential data
- Get access to sensitive information (e.g., credit card/bank account)
The most important thing to know is that spam text messages are sent without the recipient’s consent, distinguishing them from regular communication.
Is It Legal to Send Spam Messages?
Trying to sign someone else up for spam messages raises serious ethical problems. Exposing someone to unwanted contact without their consent can cause serious harm. In many countries, there are strict laws against spam. These laws protect people’s privacy and can result in fines or legal action against those who send or organize spam without permission. Here are some countries with strict anti-spam laws:
- USA: The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 states that all commercial emails (those with a commercial advertisement or promotion purpose) must not use deceptive or misleading header information. Commercial texts must also provide a clear opt-out mechanism, identify the message as an ad, inform recipients that they can opt out of marketing emails at any time, and, even more important, each message must include the sender’s physical address. A violation of the CAN-SPAM Act is subject to penalties of up to $53,088.
- Canada: Canada’s anti-spam legislation requires a user’s consent before sending them a commercial-type electronic message. It also mandates clear identification of the sender and the availability of an easy unsubscribe option. If a sender violates this law, they must pay up to 10 million Canadian dollars.
- Australia: This country is also against sending spam messages. Under the Spam Act 2003, sending unsolicited commercial electronic messages without consent is prohibited. Penalties can be substantial; for instance, Pizza Hut Australia was fined $2.5 million for sending over 10 million marketing messages without proper permission.
- European Union: The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the ePrivacy Directive regulate sending unsolicited communications. Like Canada, the USA, and Australia, the European Union also requires users to consent to receive marketing text messages. If the law is not followed, businesses can pay a high fine of €20 million or 4% of their global annual turnover.
The UK, New Zealand, and Singapore also have strong anti-spam laws with heavy fines. In the UK, for example, violating the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations can lead to fines of up to £500,000; in New Zealand, up to NZD 500,000; and in Singapore, as high as S$1 million.
How to Legally Sign Someone Up for Spam Texts?
Once you have read the info about sending spam text messages and the consequences that it can cause, you may ask how to do it legally if, for example, you want to prank your friend.
Shortly and obviously, there is no legal way to sign someone up for spam texts without their clear and informed consent. Here are three main criteria you have to follow to avoid any possible fines and legal complications when sending a spam text message:
- The recipient must knowingly agree to receive messages, usually through a sign-up form or checkbox. Consent cannot be assumed or given on someone else’s behalf.
- Clearly state who is sending the message and what it’s about. Hidden identities or misleading content can lead to legal violations.
- Every message must give the recipient a simple way to unsubscribe or stop receiving further texts.
Remember that violating these rules can result in fines or legal action, even for individuals.
How to Protect Yourself from Receiving Spam Messages?
If you want to protect yourself and not become a victim of receiving spam messages, following the requirements below will be in handy:
- Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry or your country’s equivalent to reduce unwanted contact.
- Try tools like the uMobix phone tracker, which will help you protect your kid from signing up for undesired apps or websites and not providing their consent to receive spam texts. How does uMobix work? It tracks all your kids’ cell phone activities. If you see something suspicious, you will see that in your user space and even remotely block their access to specific contacts, apps, or websites to protect them from spam messages, blackmailing, bullying, and the other dangers that can happen to them if you don’t interfere.
- Never publicly share your phone number on forums, social media platforms, websites, review sites, blogs, online games, etc. Businesses or suspicious individuals can use them to send spam messages.
- Don’t respond to unknown numbers or click on suspicious links. Doing so confirms that your number is active and can invite more spam.
- For sign-ups or online shopping, use a virtual or temporary number.
- Most smartphones and messaging apps have built-in spam protection. Enable these features in your settings.
- If you receive a spam message, block the sender and report it to your carrier or through your phone’s spam reporting option.
Verdict
Spam messages aren’t just annoying; they’re illegal and dangerous. Whether you’re trying to avoid scams or stay within the boundaries of the law, one rule stands above all: consent is essential. Never attempt to sign someone up for messages without their knowledge, as it can lead to serious legal consequences and fines.
To protect yourself and those you care about, it’s important to stay one step ahead. That’s where the uMobix phone tracker comes in. With features that let you monitor text activity, block unwanted contacts, and detect suspicious behavior, uMobix helps you take control of digital communication and keep your privacy intact.
