President Bush signed the Undertaking Spam, Spyware and Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2006 (US SAFE WEB Act) into law Dec. 22.
The new law grants additional authority to the Federal Trade Commission to help protect consumers from spam, spyware, and Internet fraud and deception.
The Direct Marketing Association supported this legislation and has been active in calling for increased penalties for online criminals, greater resources for law enforcement and enhanced “cross border” authority for the FTC.
This would serve as a means to help stem the tide of phishing, spoofing and other illegal activities.
The DMA applauded the passage of the bill, commending the efforts of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), as well as co-sponsors Conrad Burns (R-MT), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John McCain (R-AZ), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Ted Stevens (R-AK).
The bill (S.1608) was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate in March 2006 and was passed by the House of Representatives in the final hours before it adjourned on Dec. 9.
