SMS spammers set to blitz footie fans

Football fans signing up with UK websites for results updates are about to be hit by a massive spam-overload on their mobile phones.

Almost 11 million fans have subscribed already to such services, and according to one expert, the door is now open to abuse by unscrupulous retailers promising everything from 'lose weight now' to 'increase your earning potential'.

Phil Fraher, COO at anti-spam company Brightmail, said: "The problem here is that many consumers are unaware of the laws regulating what is done with their details once they sign up to such messaging services."

The SMS spam situation in Europe is an ongoing concern, and Fraher said: "The European Parliament is working on the SMS issue. The UK representatives and the Civil Liberties Committee have been lobbied by the Direct Marketing Association over the rights of marketers to continue to spam consumers.

"The UK and the Committee are following this line, arguing that most spammers will ignore legislation anyway."

The case to spam or not to spam with SMS will be decided on 5 September.