AOL redefines spam
Published: 09 Jul 2003 13:56 BST
America Online has released a revision of its terms of service agreement that expands its definition of spam beyond email to include messaging and chat postings.
The new terms of service (TOS) agreement, AOL's first revision in five years, is mostly superficial rather substantive. AOL made no major policy overhauls to the text, mainly adding language to reflect the times.
The new TOS will affect only US members and will go into effect on 3 August.
"Most of the changes here are cosmetic and housekeeping ones, not changes to policy itself," said AOL spokesman Andrew Weinstein.
The TOS is a guideline of what's acceptable and what's prohibited on the site. It also serves as a legal framework for the limit of rights that AOL members have in exchange for using the service. It also includes community guidelines and AOL's privacy policy, both of which were unchanged.
Perhaps the biggest change is AOL's redefinition of spam, up till now considered unsolicited bulk email, to include instant messaging and chat-room postings. This allows AOL to cancel memberships or prosecute members or perpetrators who send bulk messages through means other than email.
"You may not use AOL's communication tools, such as email, instant messaging and chat services to send unsolicited bulk communications, including through email or instant messages," the new TOS reads.
AOL has been on a campaign to cut down the amount of unsolicited email landing in members' in-boxes. The company has sued alleged spammers and has supported legislation favouring harsh penalties for those accused of spamming.
In addition to new spam measures, the TOS includes updates to existing language found in its previous document. For example, AOL said it is not responsible for supplemental telecommunications fees beyond its control as an Internet service. The changes now also include additional wireless and cable modem fees as a reflection of the different ways people use AOL outside its core dial-up base.
Other TOS revisions include a restatement of its policy toward content. AOL has the right to retransmit content produced by members and posted on its service, though the content producer remains the owner of the copyright.
Meanwhile, AOL restated that content available on its service may not be redistributed outside of legal boundaries. This includes via peer-to-peer services that have been sued by the recording industry.
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