As the year draws to a close and we scramble to organize whatever tradition it is we choose to celebrate, it\u2019s only appropriate that we pause to reflect on the year that\u2019s wheezing to the finish line. 2013 was an interesting one, and while we haven\u2019t managed to destroy ourselves just yet, we sure give it the old college try. As if the global strife and hunger aren\u2019t enough of an exclamation mark for mankind to emphasize its own fascination with self destruction, the mere existence of Justin Bieber and the Kardashians are sure signs that we\u2019re on a collision course with extinction. And then there\u2019s spam.<\/p>\n

Spam. A sure-fire sign that, not only are we bent on finding a way to put rockets on the planet and shoot it into the sun, some of us are, in fact, already purchasing tickets for the trip. I\u2019m just not sure who\u2019s stupider, the spammers or those who bought the tickets. Let\u2019s just call them both IQ-challenged and get on with things. This year, there are several notable recipients for awards on their efforts, or lack thereof, in the war on spam.<\/p>\n

WINNERS<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m Big, I\u2019m Bad, You Know It Award<\/strong>
\nWinner: Google<\/strong>
\nRunner-Up: Microsoft<\/strong><\/p>\n

If Google has their way, everyone will be surfing the Web and getting their nerd on with glasses in a few years, and you can\u2019t blame Mega-G for wanting to play in the big boy sandbox with Microsoft and Apple. The company has made all the strategic moves<\/a> needed to position itself for some big plays, and because they own the search market, you gotta go through them if you want to get to your favorite sites. Well, their Gmail service is part of the big play, and while it may be a bold statement, Gmail researchers this week explained<\/a> how they\u2019re winning the war on spam. That remains to be seen, but the company has certainly been putting a beat-down on spammers<\/a> in 2013, and for that, they take the big award.<\/p>\n

Microsoft also deserves a hearty nod for its tireless efforts<\/a> in making the Internet a safer place.<\/p>\n

Thunder from Down Under Award<\/strong>
\nWinner: Australia<\/strong>
\nRunner-Up: FTC<\/strong><\/p>\n

As inept as Canada has been at getting its anti-spam legislation to the starting blocks (wheelchair may be more appropriate), the nation of Australia hasn\u2019t been resting on its laurels when it comes to a good old-fashioned smackdown on spam and spammers. ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, is in its tenth year<\/a> with its aggressive Spam Act, and the country that\u2019s also a continent has made tremendous ground, penalizing with prejudice<\/a> anyone who dares besmirch the good nation\u2019s name by clogging up the Interwebs with spamcrap. Just how successful have they been? In 2003, when the act was enacted, Australia was listed in Sophos\u2019 top 10 spam producing countries. Today, they\u2019re 44. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!<\/p>\n

The US FTC deserves significant mention<\/a> here, for their tireless efforts against those nasty spammers. Keep up the great work!<\/p>\n

LOSERS<\/h2>\n

‘Doesn\u2019t Everybody Get a Trophy?’ Award<\/strong>
\nLoser: Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

After in-your-face political correctness, one of my biggest pet peeves is the way kids today are misguided into believing that all you have to do is show up to get a trophy. There are no winners or losers, right? Wrong. And the government of Canada, much-maligned<\/a> over the past several years for its CASL (Canada Anti-Spam Legislation), which was passed in 2010 and touted as the toughest anti-spam legislation there is. Under the law, you can spam your spouse, but don\u2019t dare<\/a> try to spam your siblings. Wow, right? Wrong. The country that cried wolf has been sitting on this lame duck for years, in large part because it\u2019s a political play by the country\u2019s ruling Conservative government, bent on protecting big business and lobbyists while other nations are actually protecting those the laws were designed to protect \u2013 the little guy. Every time we get excited that it\u2019s going to finally grow up into an actionable item, Canada has let us down. All the while, heavyweights like Australia, the UK and the US have been doing it for years. Don\u2019t bother showing up at all, Canada. You\u2019re not getting a trophy for doing nothing and we don\u2019t believe you anymore.<\/p>\n

But Wait, There\u2019s More! Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loser: Marketing Spammers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regular readers of AllSpammedUp.com know that I\u2019m no fan<\/a> of email marketers, and for good reason<\/a>. They\u2019re like the black sheep of an uncle<\/a> who shows up at Christmas dinner<\/a> looking for a meal and a non-repayable loan. Consumers don\u2019t like them<\/a>, either. I\u2019m an ex-marketing professional, so I know the game they\u2019re playing, and it leaves a big angry knot in the pit of my stomach. Why should you dislike them, though? Well, beside the fact that they\u2019re invading your inbox, they\u2019re teaching others<\/a> how to send you mail that you don\u2019t want. Fortunately, consumers have had enough and are starting to fight back<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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