Spam Law: What You Should Know About Spam Law
There are laws in place that state what can and cannot be done about spam. Spam law attempts to inhibit and prosecute spammers while protecting the rights of legal email senders. You should know what your rights are under these laws.
The main spam law in force is the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. It sets out basic requirements for senders of commercial email, which can be met. Penalties for junk mail and spammers are also stipulated. Consumers have the right to ask email senders to stop spamming them.
The law entered into force on January 1, 2004. It regulates the law regarding the sending of emails of a commercial or advertising nature. Establishes that emails cannot have misleading titles. The titles must be in accordance with the content of the email.
The Federal Trade Commission has the power to enforce the CAN-SPAM Act. The Department of Justice, as well as other relevant authorities, may also enforce this spam law where appropriate. Companies that provide Internet access can also take legal action against people who violate these laws.
What does this law say about email and spam? It has some basic anti-spam requirements and provisions. The rest of this article can explain what you need to know about spam law.
1. You must provide your email recipients with a way to unsubscribe from your messages. The opt-out address must be included with every commercial email you send. This can be a return address or an automated response mechanism.
2. Your business email must be identified as such and you must include your physical mailing address at the end of each message you send. This is so angry recipients can put a brick through your window if you keep sending them.
3. Your business email must not contain misleading subject lines. Don’t try to trick your mail recipients into opening your emails. If it says “apple pie recipes” in the subject line, the email better contain your grandmother’s secret apple pie recipe that is delicious yet easy to make.
4. As a commercial email sender, you may not use email addresses that you stole from websites, forums, or blogs. Use only the addresses of people who have opted in to receive your communications.
5. As a commercial email sender, you may not use automated scripts to register numerous email addresses from which to send bulk email.
6. You may not use a computer botnet or other multiple computers to send mass mail.
7. Consumers can file a complaint if the spam law is violated by contacting the
Federal Trade Commission website or by forwarding unwanted spam to the Federal Trade Commission spam delivery address.
Spam law only works if it is properly enforced by the authorities and if spammers are reported. Even then, it’s little consolation in relation to the problems email spam causes around the world. The best place for spam is in a can.