Opting out of phone spam just got easier

Posted by in Mediactivism

92574.jpgI was as thrilled as anyone else when the Canadian government announced their proposed bill to dampen phone spam (unsolicited phone calling) to Canadians a couple of years back. I was then very disappointed, but not all that surprised to learn that there was a loophole allowing many companies to be “exempt” from the opt-out list, effectively taking much of the wind out of the legislative sails. Then along came Michael Geist.

Media activist and newspaper columnist Geist has created a new website where Canadians can, in three simple steps, have their contact information removed from these “exempt” companies’ lists. I don’t know about you, but I won’t be disappointed to not hearthat mechanical, intrusive voice when the phone rings: “Good afternoon sir, I have some important information for you about Bell’s new internet package.”