GSMA trials message misuse service

THE GSM ASSOCIATION (GSMA) has announced that it is running trials to address the ubiquitous spam misuse of mobile messaging problem.

GSMA's pilot service is a global clearing house for misuse by spammers and threatening messengers reported by mobile users. It is currently being trialled with AT&T Mobility, Korea Telecom and SFR.

GMSA is using the services of Cloudmark as the message misuse data harvester. Cloudmark will report the misuse of participating network users via texting a short code. The short code 7726 spells 'SPAM' on most phones and can be used with the code 33700. This is a universally recognised code to get more users to report spam. Answers on a postcard if you can tell us what that spells.

Once the offending messages have been rounded up, telcos can take the appropriate action such as investigations, warnings and blocking of repeat offenders.

"The issue of mobile messaging misuse is a global, inter-operator problem and the GSMA Spam Reporting Service, along with other spam mitigation solutions such as spam filtering, is an important component of a comprehensive spam mitigation strategy for the industry," said Alex Sinclair, chief strategy and technology officer, GSMA.

"We have learnt from the online experience where spam is prolific and this service will enable mobile operators, mobile users and legitimate mobile marketers to take action as we work together to help users and their service providers to tackle mobile spam." µ