Spam Law in Canada starting July 1 2014

[Darren Dirt]

Got this emailed internally @ work, it sums up rather nicely what's the reason for all the spam LATELY that says "click YES otherwise we won't send you any more emails in the future!"

Subject: New commercial email law
Importance: High

Bcc to all Staff

What is happening?
You may have noticed a number of emails lately requesting that you provide consent to continue receiving the messages. The reason for this is Canada?s new anti-spam law which begins phasing in on July 1, 2014.

Over the next three years, all provisions will be phased in and the full law will be in force on July 1, 2017.

This law affects all organizations that use commercial electronic messages (CEM) to communicate with existing and potential clients.


What do I need to do?
If your business area uses commercial electronic messages (email, Facebook, twitter, SMS, etc.), you will need to ensure three things:
1.   The recipient has consented to receive the message
2.   Your full contact information is included with the message
3.   The message includes a mechanism for the recipient to opt-out of receiving further messages.

There is a three year transition period, from July 1, 2014, where consent will be considered implied when there is an existing business or non-business relationship in place with a recipient. If the recipient opts out during the three year transition period, the implied consent is terminated.

For more detail, please see these web sites:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/casl-lcap.htm
http://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/eng/home

For enforcement and compliance information:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-548.htm

If you are unsure if your activity falls under this law, please seek legal advice.

[Thorin]

Great idea.  Now what do we do about all of the websites that are run outside of the jurisdiction of Canada?

[Tom]

Great idea.  Now what do we do about all of the websites that are run outside of the jurisdiction of Canada?

And all of the scammers and dodgy people who ignore the law?

Of course it does help with giving the gov't a way to go after local spammers.

[Mr. Analog]

Remember the "Do Not Call" registry? Same thing, it's sad money goes to this kind of thinking.

[Darren Dirt]

"If you outlaw random cold-call contacts for business and marketing purposes, only OUTLAW COMPANIES will cold-call contacts for business and marketing purposes!"