DMA Applauds Signing of US SAFE WEB Act

January 3, 2007 — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) praised President Bush and members of Congress for securing enactment of the Undertaking Spam, Spyware and Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2006 (US SAFE WEB Act). The new law grants additional authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect consumers from spam, spyware, and Internet fraud and deception.

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 December 9. President Bush signed the bill into law on December 22.

DMA strongly 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 as a means to help stem the tide of phishing, spoofing, and other activities that remain a threat to American consumers.

"Consumer trust is the foundation of the interactive marketplace – a foundation that is undermined by the fraudulent Web sites and deceptive e-mails that often originate outside of US borders,” said DMA President & CEO John A. Greco, Jr.

“Increasing our government’s ability to work with other countries to identify cyber-criminals and put a stop to their activities is a positive step toward keeping the online space safe for consumers and maintaining that vital trust,” said Greco. “It’s also a win for the legitimate businesses and nonprofit organizations that see their reputations and their bottom lines put at risk by those who illegally appropriate their good names.”

DMA commends 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).

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