UK says Bluetooth spam not prohibited by privacy laws

Spammers in the UK just got a little pick-me-up from the Information Commissioner's Office, which recently evaluated its rules and decided that Bluetooth was not covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, which prohibits advertisers and marketers from sending unsolicited messages on a "public electronic communications network." Since Bluetooth doesn't operate over a public network like SMS or email, the ICO can't apply the privacy regulations as they're now written to Bluetooth messaging -- advantage, spammers. The ruling isn't official yet, but we'd be surprised if the regulations weren't re-written to include Bluetooth and other short-range wireless connectivity standard pretty quickly.

[Via Tech.co.uk]

[mushrooshi @ Oct 9th 2007 8:42AM]

To be honest, why do they need to upgrade all these systems to bluetooth. I find nothing wrong with good ol radio signals for cellphones, and its not like we are going to listen to a streaming concert on some phone we are going to use to chat from A to B while going from C to D.

Its a CELL PHONE!

Don't get me wrong, I have been wanting an iPhone ever since the rumors and the product have been coming up, but sheesh, if I ever needed some basic phone I dont want to pay for some bluetooth.

Text messaging is so lame and overused.

[Pete @ Oct 9th 2007 10:22AM]

Bluetooth is the short range inter-device wireless link that lets you use things like hands-free headsets to drive and talk (relatively) safely. In general it's a good thing to have, with one or two weaknesses at present.

I don't see how it could be spammed at all -- it only works from about 10 feet away at best... spam, in the email sense, is unsolicited *bulk* email...

[Paul @ Oct 9th 2007 11:20AM]

Plus most bluetooth systems require a passcode and for them to be set in a syncing mode. So I don't even know how the message could be sent, unless it could figure out the phone number from the cell phone bluetooth information and then it calls you...Next they're'll be popups on ipods...

[Carbonize @ Oct 9th 2007 8:46AM]

How would you spam via bluetooth anyway since you'd not only have to be in range but surely you also have to be paired with the other device?

[Twitchy @ Oct 9th 2007 8:53AM]

Add to that that people are learning to either turn their Bluetooth off, or at least up the security settings, and it becomes an even less attractive spamming option.

[dm @ Oct 9th 2007 8:56AM]

I think it's a good ruling. Unlike email, since bluetooth is in fact not a public network, you should be able to adjust your own settings to block messages from devices you haven't paired with.

[Sarah @ Oct 9th 2007 10:20AM]

I guess I would have to agree with this, although I do think it will be changed (and that it should be changed, too) very quickly. I usually keep my bluetooth off, unless I'm expecting to be sent something. I don't use an earpiece (no point in paying a lot of money for something I am guaranteed to lose almost immediately). I have been getting a lot of spam text messages here in the U.S. though. Is there anywhere here that I can report it to?

[L.Rawlins @ Oct 9th 2007 10:30AM]

Only an eejit doesn't lock down their Bluetooth Tx/Rx; and upon the capitalization of this ruling by various marketing corporations and individuals, even those people without the good sense to protect themselves would inevitably resort to locking their phone anyway out of pure frustration with the incessent ads.

Therefore, this is effectively a non-issue in the long term in my opinion.

[Josh G (aka Neo1337) @ Oct 9th 2007 11:21AM]

They can only do that if your Bluetooth is on and visible to other devices... The other device DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PAIRED, however. Take a look at this: http://www.bluejackq.com

[Carbonize @ Oct 9th 2007 12:28PM]

Still requires you to be close to the sender.

[Twitchy @ Oct 9th 2007 5:25PM]

@ Carbonize - go to a shopping centre or a busy street and count how many people are within 100 meters of you at rush hour. Then factor in that they are moving, so you get fresh victims all the time.

[TheWakeUpCall @ Oct 9th 2007 6:08PM]

You receive a lot of bluetooth spam then?

[James @ Oct 10th 2007 2:11PM]

The other day I went into Vue Cinemas Plymouth and as I was walking to one of the cinema screens, my phone vibrated asking if I want to receive a video from Vue. The video was a trailer for an upcoming movie.

Thought it was a good idea and the video was pretty impressive too.

[mark @ Oct 11th 2007 2:14AM]

If its not a public network then is a Private network,
should that not be covered under the same laws that govern private networks?