Under the new proposals, the government aims to introduce new laws that will prevent consumers being contacted via email or SMS unless they have opted in to receive information.
Mobile phone companies and their partners will be allowed to provide customers with value-added services, such as traffic and weather updates, where consent has been given.
Directory companies will have to provide information such as whether further contact information can be obtained from just a telephone number or name and address.
The Department of Trade and Industry said as much as 40% of all the email sent worldwide is unsolicited or spam.
Launching the consultation, e-commerce minister Stephen Timms called direct marketing a "power business tool", but he called badly targeted messages, by email or phone, fax or text, a "great nuisance" and said they are eroding trust in legitimate business services.
"Electronic communications, email and SMS in particular, are transforming the way we do business and the way we communicate with each other. These regulations aim to give control back to the customer. It is vital that people feel safe and confident in using these technologies. Spam must not be allowed to get in the way," Timms said.
Consultation on the implementation of the European Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications will be carried out over the next three months. The deadline is June 19.
The consultation document and further information can be obtained from the .
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