Bluetooth Spam from Coca-Cola
Bluetooth spam. It's been debated for a long time, but it looks like it's becoming a reality in the UK now that the ICO say marketers do not need opt-in consent - although the DMA differs in opinion.
I was quietly sat in a London restaurant when my phone bleeped into action. Would I like to receive a Bluetooth message from "Coca-Cola".
I was curious and I accepted the message - I fully expected it to be a prank and that I would receive Tub Girl or worse...
What I actually got was an image, an MP3 of the Coke theme and a 3GP movie of a Coke advert. (I figure if they're spamming them to all and sundry, I can distribute them as well...)
It's an effective advertising campaign. While I don't care for the mp3, I'm sure lots of kids will enjoy it. I even thought that the video was rather funny.
I'm in two minds about this....
1) I did consent to receive the advert. If I'd clicked "no" I wouldn't have been bothered by it again. It's pretty much the same as a Big Issue vendor asking if I want to buy a copy.
2) On the other hand, if every shop was blasting out messages, I'd be a bit pissed off. Rather than a couple of Big Issue vendors, I'd be assaulted by a team of chuggers.
However, in this case, I can solve all my problems by turning my bluetooth off or setting it to non-discoverable.
For now, it's not a problem. It's low volume and trivial to avoid. But what happens when someone starts hacking your non-discoverable phone and starts sending offensive images in the name of "Pepsi Cola"?
What would King Harald make of it?
I find it interesting you were bluespammed while in a restaurant - I wonder where the boundaries of taste and privacy are as far as spamming people while having a quiet romantic meal?
I guess we'll just need to remember to turn off discoverable if we want some peace and quiet.
Vero
http://www.thatcanadiangirl.co.uk
Spamming is illegal; Bluetooth marketing is not, the two should not be put together if you want to avoid potential litigation.
Please rename your heading.
Armando Coletta
BlueBroadcast.com
10/01/08
George says:
Surely by the act of sending unwanted and unsolicited electronic messages whether by Bluetooth or text messaging is spamming? Is it not abuse of electronic messaging systems?
It can be especially irritating to customers who do not wish to have their phone used as free advertising, to say the least.
My Bluetooth always turned on because my hands free kit in my car is Bluetooth and I don't want to have to turn it on and connect every time I get into my car. Some people would say it’s just like handing out leaflets, to which I can say no to, but if I have my phone on blue tooth then I cannot say no.
In the UK, the Information Commision has said sending items over the Bluetooth airwaves isn't regulated and as such, isn't spam.
Our Happy Packages Project is finding that people are in the mindset it's spam, so won't accept it unless it's backed up with some sort of Pervasive Relations
Thought Pie think, as long as there are some Pervasive Relations around the site and you operate a weekly refreshed 'black-list' (list of people who've refused 3 times so you don't attempt re-send) then Bluetooth Marketing is great!
Remember, a plant in your garden is only a weed when you don't want it.