China Mobile apologizes for spreading unsolicited text messages
March 24, 2008
The damn spam act
China Mobile apologized to its 200 million subscribers for the spread of spam text messages sent to what seems to be almost half of the country’s mobile phones.
As the largest mobile operator in China, the company has made a vow to block short messages originating from Focus Media, which was responsible for sending the commercial text messages to subscribers whose information was fully controlled by China Mobile and China Unicom.
“Focus Media does not approve sending advertising messages to mobile users without user consent,” Focus Media said in a statement. "Focus Media has established an internal policy to strictly prohibit sending SMS or MMS messages without the explicit consent of the receiving mobile user."
This misplacement of personal information made the target consumers angry, causing public complaints and condemnation in China’s annual exposure program broadcasted via China Central Television on World Consumer Rights Day.
China Mobile reportedly said that as the mobile operator, it has the obligation to block spam text messages and it holds an unavoidable responsibility in this case.
The mobile operator will work with the concerned parties to clarify rules on spam message identification, blockage and technology to ensure this tidal wave of spam never happens again.
Focus Media chairman Jiang Nanchun also apologized in a statement to the press and is urging its counterparts to halt short message services in a clean-up campaign.
Focus Media provides advertising services for business customers by delivering advertisements to mobile phone users in China via WAP-based advertising service, SMS, MMS, enterprise messaging service, wireless instant messaging-based advertising services, wireless interactive marketing services and Blue-tooth-based mobile services.
“The database for advertising delivery is based on information we receive during our normal course of business with our customers,” Focus Media said in its statement.
“If we find any employee using information obtained without user consent, we will take necessary action against such behavior including terminating his or her employment contract with Focus Media."