Legal and Ethical Aspect of Emailing Users Who Didn't Opt-In?

VisEntities

VisEntities

Active member
I'm curious about the legal and ethical aspects of sending emails to users who didn't opt in to receive them. Would it generally be ignored, or could there be serious repercussions? Has anyone in internet history ever taken an action over receiving an unwanted email, aside from just unsubscribing?

Thanks!
 
every mail reported as spam hurts your sending capability as it marks a hit on your account on services like ses.
 
Makes sense, although I don't recall I have ever reported any of these emails that bothered me as spam, I don't even recall seeing that option, so it must be rare those people who do it
 
In addition to what @Chromaniac has said and depending on location, you may be in breach of data protection laws if there is no consent but it's a bit of a grey area in my opinion. One thing I personally would not do is send an email to a member who has specifically opted out, assuming you have that set as an option.

To answer your second question, I've taken action through the UK's ICO against UK companies who have sent me unsolicited emails, it's easy enough to do.

Report spam emails

ico.org.uk ico.org.uk
 
VisEntities said:
Makes sense, although I don't recall I have ever reported any of these emails that bothered me as spam, I don't even recall seeing that option, so it must be rare those people who do it
Click to expand...
I report companies as spam regularly. I use the unsubscribe option and if they continue sending them they're reported. I absolute abhorre companies that say "this may take up to 30 days to process "... No.

Basically... Depending on locale it could be a huge issue. Look up GDPR.

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/electronic-and-telephone-marketing/electronic-mail-marketing/#:~:text=You must not send marketing,emails or texts to companies.

gdpr.eu

How does the GDPR affect email? - GDPR.eu

The GDPR requires organizations to protect personal data in all its forms. It also changes the rules of consent and strengthens people’s privacy rights. In this article, we’ll explain...
gdpr.eu gdpr.eu

You haven't specified but what is the reason for the mail? I assume marketing as opposed to transactional?
 
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