Mobile Phones - SMS Spam

BrainyEncyclopedia describes short message service (SMS) as

‘a service available on most digital mobile phones that permits the sending of short messages (also known as text messages, or more colloquially texts or even txts) between mobile phones, other handheld devices and, even, fixed-line phones’ (BrainyEncyclopedia, 2004:par 1).

It is believed that the first SMS was sent from a personal computer to a mobile phone (on the Vodafone GSM network) in the United Kingdom in December 1992. Since then, this technology has taken on a life of its own with the introduction of intercarrier messaging and the emergence of a ‘txt language’. For example, restrictions on the number of characters in an SMS have replaced the phrase ‘See you later’ with ‘C U L8er’. In The Australian, ‘Writing’s on the wall for unsolicited SMS Spam’ by Kate Mackenzie, reported that ‘the number of 160-character messages sent in this country has increased by 600% in the past six months’ (Mackenzie, 2000: par 4). In turn, an increase in the sending and receiving of unsolicited SMS messages, otherwise known as SMS Spam, raises questions on the subject of privacy.

One example of SMS Spam occurs when users open an SMS message and find information from their carrier regarding a new service or offer. The annoyance aspect is further amplified by the fact that such messages can not be deleted until they have been opened. Optus, Vodafone and Telstra are just three Australian telephone companies that take advantage of SMS to provide customers with ‘alerts’. In ‘Writing’s on the wall for unsolicited SMS Spam’, each carrier is given a voice with regards to the issue. Vodafone spokeswoman Germaine Graham says that ‘many customers like receiving new services and alert’. This is further backed up by the guarantee that if Vodafone customers do not wish to receive further alerts they ‘can ring the company’s main customer care number, and a procedure is in place for them to be removed from the list’ (cited in Mackenzie, 2000: par 11 & 12). An Optus spokeswoman claims that,

‘We send these alerts in a very minor way – we certainly don’t bombard them with mail – we’re very conscious of not bombarding’ (cited in Mackenzie, 2000: par 15).

Similarly, Telstra’s mobile messaging product manager, Rob Saviane says that,

‘it (Telstra) has only sent SMS messages to customers on a one-off basis, to inform them they can use SMS…As an overarching policy, we feel that any form of unsolicited receipt or delivery of SMS is a no-go’ (cited in Mackenzie, 2000: par 16 & 17).

Nevertheless, levels of unsolicited SMS messages continue to rise in an intrusive manner. Another form of unsolicited SMS messages can be categorized by its bullying nature. The nasty messages that circulate around the school yard are malice in their intent and can not be screened as emails can. Clearly, SMS Spam, whether it is annoying or harassing, poses questions as to how people can assure their privacy.

Related Topics in the Wiki

Youth Culture and New Technologies-Text Messaging

Privacy and New Technologies

Privacy and New Technologies-SMS Spam

List of References

BrainyEncyclopedia. 2004. ‘Short message service’, http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/s/sh/short_message_service.html (accessed 21/10/04).

Mackenzie, K. 2000. ‘Writings on the wall for unsolicited SMS spam’, The Australian, December 5, http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=200012051051823211&db=anh (accessed 08/08/04).

Back to Mobile Phones - Security and Privacy

Rebecca Praden 11:05, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)