Overview
The Spam Act 2003 provides legal rules for sending commercial electronic messages in Australia. It prohibits unsolicited commercial electronic messages, requires accurate sender information in such messages, and mandates the inclusion of a functional unsubscribe facility. The Act also regulates the use and distribution of address-harvesting software and harvested-address lists. It outlines civil penalties for violations, including pecuniary penalties, injunctions, and enforceable undertakings, and provides a framework for enforcement through entities like the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The Act includes exemptions for certain types of messages, such as those sent by government bodies, educational institutions, political parties, and charities.