Electronics Boutique are to start BlueSpamming people as they go past their stores - at least that’s how I read a report on CNN last week.

They’re going to be selling games via their in-store kiosks, which are available via a Bluetooth download - nothing wrong with that, obviously. In fact, it’s innovative and user-centric, which is to be applauded. But, here’s the kicker:

Users of compatible cell phones who walk within 30 feet of a store’s kiosk will receive a message on their phone asking if they want to access game content.

Err…..Guys, that’s unsolicited, untargeted marketing - which we call Spam round these parts.

You could argue that anyone with a Bluetooth phone in an EB store is targeted. But you’d have to guarantee that passers-by aren’t going to be Bluespammed, as well as say, parents shopping with their kids in-store.

But why am I making a fuss about a few BlueSpam messages in the US? Because it’s the thin end of the wedge and unless all marketers are discouraged from spamming people in any circumstances, you’ll get bombarded with this shit in a few years, every time you leave your house and quite possibly in it.

There are no exceptions.

All marketing communication to mobile devices must have been agreed prior to sending by the intended recipient (commonly called “opt in”). And then (and only then) they must be able to tell you to stop (”opt out”).

It’s not that hard to understand.

—–>Follow us on Twitter too: @russellbuckley and @caaarlo