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Like others, I'm confused about how there's so much variation between countries on this one. In the US, the calls and texts are a plague. If you've had a phon
by furyg3 3y ago
Like others, I'm confused about how there's so much variation between countries on this one.
In the US, the calls and texts are a plague. If you've had a phone number for a few years you're probably getting multiple texts and calls a day, even if you are on the Do Not Call registry, from advertisers of every type and scammers alike. Lots of people have apps for blocking spam and they still get through.
In the Netherlands I'm also on a do not call registry, and I get nearly zero spam calls or texts. There is the occasional scammer SMS, and I get a spam call maybe once every 2-3 months, usually for nonprofit fundraising.
In developing countries you're spammed by both the telco and third party advertisers within minutes of activating a prepaid SIM card. The telco is almost certainly delivering the advertisements.
My guess is that the penalties and enforcement behind violating do-not-call registry in the Netherlands (EU?) are just much stronger than in the US. It still does not explain the lack of low-quality spam / scam messages from people who are unlikely to be dissuaded by regulation.
The only thing I can think of is that there is better authentication for accessing the Dutch telephone network (and better incentives for the telcos) which allow the providers to prevent or shut down spam numbers quickly.
- abirch 3y agoCould the percentage of occupied Dutch phone codes be lower than the USA? There may be a smaller pay off.
- furyg3 3y agoYou mean area codes (all Dutch mobiles are on one area code - 06) or do you mean the proportion of available phone numbers to phone users? The latter would imply that spammers are 'wardialing' phone numbers but that seems really unlikely to me as it would be incredibly easy for telcos to detect and prevent.
- abirch 3y agoI meant the second. The hypothesis of with a few smart tweaks such as valid area codes, etc. I've yet to have text spam use my name, whereas email spam is around 10% for me.
- nebula8804 3y agoThis was many years ago but I was trying to set up a Twilio number in the Netherlands to do a crank call on a friend there. I thought it would be as straightforward as the US(ie. Just sign up, add some money and pick a number from their available pool). No....from what I recall you need to submit an actual physical address and there was some mechanism for verifying I think as it failed the first time I tried. Now I think I managed to eventually get some random shop registered but for spamming, I don't think that would last as it would get flagged eventually. I don't know if they still do this sort of verification but if anything it is probably more strict now.
- immibis 3y agoIt's the same in Germany. You need an address and a passport or national ID card before you can get an IP address or phone number.