[FADCA] Campaign Against Pop Ups

[fadca@mailman.qth.net]

While this is not a packet subject, it does impact the packet system if the
computer you use to access the packet system is also connected to the
internet. In addition, with the advent of internet connected packet systems,
and the use of those systems to carry both personal and emergency traffic,
the misuse of the bandwidth I am discussing impacts the operation of entire
packet system.

I am asking that you write your Congressman or Congresswoman and ask them to
amend the federal law that provides relief from unsolicited telephone sales
calls to add unsolicited advertisements that are sent to our computers over
the internet.

These "pop ups" are sent over the same telephone lines and through the same
telephone equipment over which the unsolicited telephone calls are made.

The National Do Not Call Registry http://206.16.196.198/ provides a means to
register your telephone numbers to prevent unsolicited telephone sales calls
to you numbers. You can register land line numbers and cell phone numbers.

This law and the site to register is under the authority of the Federal
Trade Commission (no the FCC). There web site states "As of Wednesday, July
23, 2003, consumers have registered 28 million telephone numbers with the
National Do Not Call Registry: 22.5 million via the Internet, and 5.5
million via the telephone."
Unfortunately, this law, as currently enacted, does not cover unsolicited
advertisements sent to your computer, only your fax machine and your voice
telephone.

I have installed software to block pop ups that has a logging feature. Since
July 1, when I  installed it, the program has logged 115,092 pop ups
blocked.

Please write your congressional representatives and ask them to amend the
current law to include all forms of unsolicited advertisements transmitted
over telephone lines.


Russ, N4KOX