SMS Spam Still An Issue In The UAE

Recent media reports indicate that SMS spam gives rise to a significant number of complaints from mobile customers in the UAE. According to leading internet security company, Symantec, almost three in four emails in the UAE are unwanted marketing communications or malicious spam attacks. Both Etisalat and du have facilities to allow customers to opt-out of receiving SMS spam and to block third party SMS spam. However despite this, it can be difficult for providers to block SMS spam sent by third parties outside the UAE where the source is not identifiable. In this article, Fiona Tyas and Ben Smith of Clyde & Co's Technology, Media and Telecommunications Group discuss recent anti-spam developments in the UAE and look back at the TRA's 2009 anti-spam policy.