Spam Via SMS - Need to Stop Political Parties Spamming

Hi all,

Recently received an SMS to vote.

Regardless of the issue, they should not be able to contact us.

I already forwarded the text to acma.

What are every else's thoughts?

Comments

  • +2

    They're literally targeting digits not people. It has nothing to do with you, they're just going through all the 0400000000-0499999999 numbers in batches. It's the same as a mail drop. If anything phone numbers are more random. Targeting houses could be based on political preference in an area.

    • Doubt that mate. Many companies you probably deal with have clauses that they can forward your number to third parties (marketing co's etc).

  • +1

    lol I got an email today from YesEquality telling me to vote yes. I don't remember giving out my number to anyone though, so I'm thinking its just a batch message send?

    • Yep there's a lot people talking about it around the web, looks like they spam-bombed everyone pretty much.

  • +2

    AT5000

  • +3

    I'm a yes voter anyway but i really don't appreciate getting texts randomly. It's like an evasion of my personal space tbh.

    Granted i get annoying texts from retailers but at least that's my fault for choosing to give my real number.

    A very smart way to piss off the no voters

    • Had to chuckle a bit there. Thanks

    • Ah yes, but its not the no voter they are targeting, its the undecided.

      So pissing off the No voter is just a side "benefit" to them

      The problem is really are they pissing off the undecided voter. My guess is they are, but to what degree. however if they pick up more votes than they piss off then they win.

      Issue always is we'll never know.

      I wonder who is funding it, as its got to cost a lot of money. (and is it a political party etc under the spam act)

      Registered charities, registered political parties and educational institutions are exempt from the Act. If an organisation falls into one of these categories, then any commercial electronic messages it sends are exempt from the Act’s consent and unsubscribe conditions if, and only if, the messages relate to goods or services supplied by the organisation that authorised the message. Note that such messages must still comply with the identify condition of the Act.

  • -1

    Unfortunately it's legal for any entity to send spam sms in Australia provided it has an opt-out link. If you use the opt-out it's still legal to continue sms spamming the victim for 30 days.

    • +1

      How do I opt out?

      I never provided any details, and the sms does not advise how to stop it.

      Note, I already forwarded it to ACMA, but don't know what to expect, if anything.

    • Political parties and charities are exempt from the Spam Act which requires them to have an opt out link so they don't actually need one.

  • I got the spam too, pretty annoyed about it.
    Similar to what scammers do.
    Already voted anyway.

  • +2

    Im pretty annoyed about it too. Will I receive a text message now every time a vote is coming up telling me what I should do? this is actually a bigger issue for me than SSM

  • +1

    upvote this comment if you voted yes, downvote if you voted no

  • -4

    There isn't even a way to block that sender from your phone either

    I have no strong views on the topic so I wasn't going to vote, but this unsolicited spam motivated me to find the envelope and vote no

    • +1

      Maybe the spammer was relying on reverse psychology to secure your NO vote?

      • I had the same thought about that feral 'Astro Labe' head butting Abbott, it's so damaging to the yes cause you can't imagine a proponent thinking it was a good idea. But it's a confirmed yes initiative per this article http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/09/23/20/05/same-sex-m…

        • +2

          I'm no fan of spam either, but voting no isn't an appropriate response.

          There's maybe a few people who are responsible for spamming you, while there's maybe a few hundred thousand people who had nothing to do with it, or even support it, who stand to lose out because of your vote.

          It's like setting fire to a school because some kid egged your house :)

  • FWIW I didn't get spammed. I don't know who the spam was from but that would piss me off.

  • -1

    Didn't phase me at all but I do have a laugh at the whinges crying about their "breach of privacy". I even clicked on the link to find out what it was about. Thought to myself it's a bit late to get more support at this late stage.

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