Spam Filters Gone Wild

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Date: May 3, 2006 1:02:58 AM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipient:;
Subject: Spam Filters Gone Wild


Spam Filters Gone Wild
Spate of Incidents at Verizon,
AOL Point to Growing Problem
Of Blocking Legitimate Email

By JESSICA E. VASCELLARO
May 3, 2006; Page D1

Internet companies are taking more aggressive steps to stop the flow
of unwanted email. In a significant number of cases, though,
consumers complain that the efforts increasingly are blocking the
good along with the bad.

Possibly millions of AOL members were temporarily unable to receive
some mail from Google Inc.'s Gmail users last week after AOL held up
messages from some new Gmail servers over concerns it might be spam.
An AOL software update recently resulted in a stoppage of mail that
mentioned at least 60 Internet addresses. An update of Verizon
Communication Inc.'s spam filters recently sparked widespread
complaints from consumers who were unable to receive and send
messages.
[Illustration]

The companies blamed the problems on software glitches or
communication failures and often fixed them within hours. Tight
precautions are necessary, the companies say, since spam can threaten
online security and safety -- a more serious problem than the
nuisance of a few missed messages. But others say the incidents are a
troubling sign that new antispam measures may be going to far,
contributing to everything from lost real-estate deals and blocked
banking transactions to bruised relationships caused by unreturned
emails that never got through to friends in the first place.

...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114661393481042025.html

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB114661393481042025- 
lMyQjAxMDE2NDA2MzYwMTMzWj.html



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