Qwest says it won’t penalize its high-speed Internet customers who fall prey to spammers or viruses.
An updated DSL subscriber policy Qwest released in December drew complaints from customers on at least one website last week because it said misuse could potentially result in a $5 charge for every spam message sent through a computer.
Users worried that they might end up paying if computer hackers managed to hijack their e-mail addresses.
“It is not Qwest policy to terminate the account of someone who was a victim of spammers or malicious activities, and we have no plans to do so,” the Denver-based phone company said in a note to the media Monday.
Qwest said its policies are designed to protect its customers from unwanted and malicious communications and protect its network assets from abuse through misconduct.
About 1.3 million customers subscribe to Qwest’s DSL service, company spokeswoman Carey Madsen said.
By responding quickly to the complaints, Qwest showed savvy customer-relations skills, said Susan Liehe, a spokeswoman for the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau.
Staff writer Beth Potter can be reached at 303-820-1503 or bpotter@denverpost.com.
