This is part of Decree 77/2012/NĐ-CP released by the PM to revise and supplement Decree 90/2008/NĐ-CP, dated August 13, 2009 on anti-spam.

Accordingly, the advertisers and providers are required to immediately stop sending emails or text messages after recipients opt out.

The decree stipulates that advertisers and service providers may not send more than one spam advert, instead of five previously, to a single electronic mail address within 24 hours, unless otherwise agreed upon with recipients.

Text message advertisement service providers may not send more than one advertising text messages, instead of five previously, to a phone number within 24 hours and may only send them from 7am to 10pm in the day, unless otherwise agreed upon with recipients.

An additional clause demands that whenever advertisers and service providers send emails or text messages to recipients, they must also send a copy to the Ministry of Information and Communication's technical system.

Using electronic address of other organisations and individuals to send mails or messages will be fined  between VND60 million (US$2,900) to VND80 million (US$3,800).

The new decree will take effect as of January 1, 2013./.

By Kim Loan