Monday, March 10, 2008
Week 3 - The CAN-SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act: I’m not really sure what to think about this. The title indicates that it was basically developed to prevent people from sending unsolicited pornographic advertisements. However, it does not actually specifically address that issue within the text. Also, it seems that it would severely limit legitimate companies from mass marketing. How come those guys can mass mail crap to my house (and I know they bought my address from someone) all the time but not email it to me? Is there a way to stop those pesky credit card people from sending me unsolicited advertisements? Additionally, this was definitely written by a lawyer and could probably be described in more user-friendly terms on the site to encourage people to take action. The “how to file a complaint” section was super tiny and located at the very bottom of the site – you would have to actually make it through the whole thing to find it. It was interesting to see that a physical mailing address is required to send a legitimate email advertisement. So know virtual companies can send electronic advertisements? I’m not a fan of SPAM, but I do think that the Act as described does not match-up with the name and the intention.
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The central (and confusing) issue is this: unsolicited advertising. But we do not solicit advertising on the side of a bus or a building on on T.V. Theory holds that we can turn our eyes...or turn the channel...if we want to. But SPAM in our inbox casues us to take an action, and we have less control over our responses.
Until the rascals are caught and punished, and as long as folks fall for the ruses, you will continue to find it in your email inbox.
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