subject: Unshackle from Pesky SMSes via Mobile Application Development [print this page] Unshackle from Pesky SMSes via Mobile Application Development
I carry my cell phone 24x7 and, no doubt, I make full use of technology to keep myself updated. Having said that, I received an SMS advertising for Hair Loss treatment. Oh! Here I received another one, well, this one belongs to (Buy 1 and get 1 free) Ice-cream offer. SMS after SMS and we ought to check them all assuming it's an important message from friends or relatives, love message from Spouse or, probably, a message from boss about an urgent meeting.
Aren't we aware of the increasing problem pertaining to SMS spam? What do we do about it? Do Government-provided options really curb SMS spam?
I remember people's annoyance when there used to be an email spam. It is not that we don't have them now, we do. However, we have found solutions to it. Many of them directly throw the spam mails into spam section without even letting you know. I can feel the same annoyance in the crowd even today due to SMS spam. SMS spam is a growing issue across the world. For now, recent news reveals frustration among mobile users of SA and India.
What's with South Africa?
South Africa reports increasing number of SMS spam, a reliable news channel via local research company Dashboard reported. This is for two primary reasons: local spammers are using international messaging routes to avoid WASPA (Wireless Application Service Providers' Association) regulations; and WASPA is so overwhelmed by billing complaints that true spam is not receiving the attention it should.
Who is going to curb it? The initial step taken should be from local operators who have failed to trace spam messages coming from international sources. Later, lies the responsibility of consumers who need to understand and escalate the issue collaboratively, reporting it to WASPA. To combat SMS spam, it is necessary for the broader public to report it to WASPA and insist on a formal review where appropriate. However, WASPA isn't the only body of concern; the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMA) has offered their services in combating the SMS spam problem plaguing South Africa.
SMS spam in India
Located in India, I can very well relate to the situation here. While, researching on many tools available to combat SMS spam (many of them failed to eradicate the problem), I came across a new mobile phone application to keep pesky SMSes at bay, SMSAssasin. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-DELHI) can now put an end to your woes by helping you segregate spam from regular messages.
Bulk SMSes being cheap way to reach out to masses, marketing firms are using them widely to offer value added services and advertisement. According to available data, in India an estimate 100 million spam messages are sent everyday. Also, "DNA" reports that Companies dedicated for SMS-based advertising have been launched and they can reach out to about 1,00,000 people for less than Rs3,500. SMSAssasin is a tool that quickly recognizes spam and performs spam filtering automatically. It is designed to work starting from mid-range phone in order to reach out most of the people; wherein it filters spam messages and also gives the user freedom to receive spam SMSes which are useful to him or her.
Blackberry users
Well, if nothing, RIM has provided users with security related mobile application development like Kaspersky Mobile security. Users now have ability to locate a lost or stolen Smartphone via GPS. It remotely disable and/or wipes a lost or stolen device, and filters out unwanted calls and SMSes by putting contacts in black lists and white lists. Apart from this, many other apps like Lockout Mobile security, WaveSecure for Blackberry and so on have kept Blackberry in its shed, protected from spam and finding lost devices. Hope windows mobile application development also comes up with something like this.
How to curtail?
The best way to prevent a spam is to take Spam seriously and report it as soon as you encounter one. WASPs should also implement an automatic opt out system on behalf of their clients. Remember that adult content will always be acted upon, even on lodging a single complaint. Always ask WASPA if other complaints have been received, and if there have been you should insist on a formal complaint.
