Ask HN: Why don't we get spam on cell phones?

1 points by matc 14 years ago | 7 comments

Why don't we get spam on cell phones as text messages, although we get spam via email?

Navarr 14 years ago |

Clearly: Its illegal.

I assume due mainly to the cost to consumers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_spam#Criminality_a...

If we were charged on the amount of emails received, it might be illegal to receive spam through that as well :p

matc 14 years ago | |

Would it be impossible to make email spam illegal?

Why was it possible to make SMS spam, but not email, illegal?

instakill 14 years ago | | |

Email spam is illegal in countries that enforce the CAN-SPAM act.

instakill 14 years ago |

Count yourself lucky. In South Africa, where text messaging has been a big thing for about 2 decades, cell phone spam is prevalent and hated by the 74% of the population (the percent that owns a cell phone).

beaumartinez 14 years ago |

Because text messages do cost money to send. Email doesn't.

matc 14 years ago | |

There are email gateways to all major phone providers, so one can send, rather than receive, text messages without cost.