Norge (NO)

Norway

Section 2b. Restrictions regarding certain methods of communication

It is prohibited in the conduct of business to direct marketing at consumers using methods of telecommunication which permit individual communication, such as electronic mail, text messaging services to mobile telephones, facsimile or automatic calling machine, without the prior consent of the recipient.

The prior consent required in accordance with paragraph one is, however, not applicable to marketing where the consumer is contacted orally by telephone.

The Ministry can issue regulations determining the scope of the first paragraph.
 

The Norwegian Data Inspectorate has issued a statement saying UCE is believed to be a violation of The Fair Trade Practices Act. It states that to send commercial advertisements to mobile telephone users and by e-mail, an explicit consent is required. It appears that this only applies to UCE.

Norwegian-language statement

(Kjetil Kjernsmo 2000-05-18)
 

The Norwegian Government, Ministry of Children and Family issued a press release earlier this week announcing that they are proposing a law, requiring the sender to have the recipient's consent when sending to Fax, SMS and E-mail. It was unclear whether this affects all spam, or just UCE. This is a major change from the Opt-Out position the Government had this spring.

(Andreas Bergstrøm 1999-10-17)
 

There is going to be considered a opt-out system in Norway, a hearing will perhaps start in the autumn. It appears that the Norwegian government considers Opt-In to be difficult in principle.

(Andreas Bergstrøm 1999-02-27)