CRTC and Japanese Agency join forces to fight spam

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, Jan. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - The CRTC today announced the signature of a memorandum of cooperation with Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. This agreement to combat unsolicited commercial electronic messages, came into effect on January 1, 2018.

This partnership will support close cooperation and a coordinated approach in the enforcement of spam laws in both jurisdictions to limit the amount of unwanted emails received by Canadian and Japanese residents.

As part of the agreement, both agencies have agreed to share information and provide investigative support, upon request, and in accordance with the law. The memorandum of cooperation also provides for research and education opportunities through sharing of best practices by both parties.

Quick Facts

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan's role includes the management and administration of the basic administration system of the country, the administration of local autonomy, and fire and emergency services, and the realization of growth strategies applying information communications technologies: http://www.soumu.go.jp/english/.
• The CRTC has entered into similar bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom's Information Commissioner's Office, the United States Federal Trade Commission, the United States Federal Communications Commission, the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
• In June 2016, the CRTC along with eleven other international agencies entered into an agreement to fight both unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications. All eleven countries are members of the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network whose mandate is to facilitate and support cross border investigations.
• Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation prohibits the sending of commercial electronic messages without the consent of the recipient, as well as online threats such as phishing, malware and botnets.

Quote

"Once again, the CRTC is demonstrating its commitment to combat unwanted commercial electronic messages. By establishing a partnership with Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, we are broadening our international engagement against spam to protect the citizens of Canada and Japan. Collaborating with Japanese authorities will heighten our expertise and ability to enforce Canada's anti-spam law."

- Steven Harroun, CRTC Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

Associated Links

• Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Concerning the Exchange of Information Relating to Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages
• News Release - CRTC and UK Agency to Fight Spam and Unwanted Telemarketing Calls
• News Release - CRTC and Australian agency join forces to combat spam and unwanted telemarketing calls
• News Release - CRTC partners with New Zealand regulator to fight spam
• News Release - CRTC partners with international agencies to fight spam and unsolicited phone calls
• News Release - CRTC signs partnership agreement with U.S. Federal Trade Commission to fight unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission