I was furious. Back then, every e-mail I got cost something like a nickel a message. I thought it had to be illegal to do this. He began complaining on CompuServe forums and other Internet discussion groups and found kindred spirits in cyberspace. Money, Mozena says.
Spammers make a lot of money and are smart in spreading it around to politicians.
There has been some anti-spam progress. Legislation in a handful of states during the past year or so has forced spammers to give would-be targets the opportunity to opt out of their mailing lists. And a similar requirement is pending in Congress. But it's not nearly enough, he says. We want legislation which would give Internet service providers and consumers the right to go after spammers and sue them and collect fines and damages.