The second phase of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance and the supporting Unsolicited Electronic Messages Regulation will become effective December 22.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau said under the second phase, senders of unsolicited electronic messages are required:

* to provide accurate sender information and unsubscribe facility in a message;

* not to withhold calling line identification when sending pre-recorded voice messages and fax; and,

* to honour the recipients' unsubscribe requests and not to send commercial electronic messages to any telephone or fax numbers listed on a do-not-call register to be established by the Telecommunications Authority.

The authority will establish separate do-not-call registers on fax, short message and pre-recorded message. People can register their phone and fax numbers to notify all senders they do not wish to receive commercial electronic messages. Registration details will be announced soon.

The authority will issue enforcement notices to parties contravening the provisions. Failure to comply with enforcement notices warrants a fine up to $500,000.

Phase I of the ordinance became effective on June 1. It prohibits the use of unscrupulous techniques to send a large quantity of commercial electronic messages, as well as fraud and other illicit activities related to their multiple sending.

Visit the Office of the Telecommunications Authority's website or call its hotline 2961 6333 for more information.