On 11th December 2003 the Information Commissioner became responsible for enforcing the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. The new Regulations prohibit the sending of unsolicited commercial email without consent (although this is subject to exemption).  We have produced some detailed guidance  to the Regulations as well as a brief guidance note on what they mean for individuals.

The problem of spam cannot, however, be addressed by regulation alone.  Given the volume of spam in circulation (most of which originates outside the UK and from senders not, therefore, subject to UK law) it will be impossible for the Information Commissioner’s Office to investigate each and every instance of spam being sent. 

We have also provided links to a number of related websites from which individuals can obtain further information (although the Commissioner cannot formally endorse these sites or any of the products discussed on them).