The Information Commissioner's Office, which applies the Privacy and Electronic Communication regulations, said that it needs stronger powers to act against suspected transgressors. Without these additional sanctions, companies are free to continue sending email over the Internet while they are investigated--a process that can take many months.

"It's possible there could be a prosecution towards the end of this year, in November or December. But realistically we are looking at next year," a representative for the information commissioner said Thursday.

By Graeme Wearden at ZDNet.

[ Read more ]

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