US Child Protection

Published: Friday, August 19, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

US CHILD PROTECTION

Heavy fines and energetic policing to strengthen state initiative

American agencies and the local police have combined to launch an electronic version of the Do Not Call registry that allows parents to keep e-mails advertising inappropriate services or products from reaching their children.

The Michigan Children's Protection Registry and Garden City Police describe the new service as an effective blocking mechanism that stops adverts or links to pornography and obscene material, tobacco and alcohol." Prohibited e-mails also could relate to illegal drugs, firearms, gambling and lotteries.

"Lately, we've seen kids get messages from gambling sites. It's a shock for the parents to find out the kids have been playing poker online using their credit card," Police chief Mel Maier said.

Parents can register their children's e-mail address at www.ProtectMIChild.com. The address registrations are in effect for three years or until the youngest child with access to the e-mail address turns age 18. Registrations may be renewed at any time for an additional three years.

"The spammers are going to have to comply - the fines can be pretty hefty," Maier said. "Michigan and Utah are the first states to do this. Parents need to trust the state of Michigan to put the information out and keep it safe."

Penalties for marketers who don't comply with the new law could face criminal penalties of up to three years in jail and criminal fines up to $30,000.

Additionally, the law includes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per message sent in violation of the law up to a maximum of $250,000 per day. Civil suits may be filed by the Michigan Attorney General, Internet service providers and parents on behalf of their children.

Marketers can apply for access to the state children's protection registry scrubbing mechanism that will clean their mailing lists to comply with the statute.