Scotland To Jail Flirty E-mailers
Sending an e-mail may land you in court if you are not careful with the content. The website out.law.com reports on changes to laws in Scotland:
Scots face up to 10 years in jail for sending text messages or emails with sexual content. Scotland’s just-published Sexual Offences Bill contains stiff penalties for any sexual messages whose intent is to humiliate the recipient.
You may argue that is directed to sexual offences which is the obvious intent of the bill. However it should be noted that proving ‘intent to humiliate’ is quite difficult so any material of a doubtful nature could come under scrutiny.
Those sending emails, texts messages or newsletter offering ‘organ enlargement therapies’ could be accused of trying to humiliate individuals.
“We wanted to make sure all forms of communication were covered by a single law. Sending offensive e-mails in the workplace has become more common, as have text messages,” he said.
Around 90% of all emails or electronic communications would probably be considered fine. However that 10% could be at risk if someone decides to report them. All the more reason to watch what your staff are sending and how you put together your e-mail campaigns.
Whilst this legislation is targeted at certain undesirable activities, it only takes one or two complaints to see the courts widen the coverage. The strange thing is, the individuals who are being targeted by this legislation will probably be the ones to ignore it.
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