82. What does the CAN-SPAM Act law say?
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial emails. It affects everybody that uses email in their business. The CAN-SPAM Act establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have you stop emailing them, and spells out tough penalties for violations. It doesn't just apply to bulk email. It covers 'any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service'. This includes emails that promote content on commercial websites and business-to-business emails. Each separate email in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act is subject to penalties of up to $43,792, so non-compliance can be costly. But following the law isn't complicated. Here's a rundown of CAN-SPAM's main requirements: Don't use false or misleading header information. Don't use deceptive subject lines. Identify the message as an ad. Tell recipients where you're located. Tell recipients how to opt out of receiving future email from you. Honor opt-out requests promptly. Monitor what others are doing on your behalf.
