3 ms·

This comment right below the article: "Using pre-populated opt-in boxes now means breaking the law?" Yes. It does mean exactly that. You need my permission to

This comment right below the article: "Using pre-populated opt-in boxes now means breaking the law?" Yes. It does mean exactly that. You need my permission to send me unsollicited marketing emails. The law (at least here in the EU) is very clear about that. I'm a marketer, and I never understand why companies do this. I'd much, much rather have a smaller list of people who actively signed up for my emails than a large list of people who you've conned into subscribing. CTR and conversion on these lists are rubbish, and annoying people is never a good tactic for a long-term business relationship. This goes the same for people who you've done business with. If they did not actively sign up for your newsletter you should't send it to them. Legal or not. The best way to grow a high-quality list? Let people subscribe to it (opt-in, not opt-out) and if they didn't engage/open the email for the past 5-10 newsletters or so, inform them they'll be bumped off the list. In a friendly way, of course, but still.

claudius 12y ago
And, err, how is a “pre-populated opt-in box” not exactly the same as opt-out? In order not to receive spam, the user has to take an action (i.e. opt out) by unticking the box.
- ColinWright 12y ago
  >>> "Using pre-populated opt-in boxes now means breaking >>> the law?" >> Yes. It does mean exactly that. You need my permission >> to send me unsolicited marketing emails. > ... how is a "pre-populated opt-in box" not exactly > the same as opt-out? In order not to receive spam, > the user has to take an action (i.e. opt out) by > unticking the box. A "pre-populated opt-in box" is exactly the same as opt-out. EU law requires opt-in. Having opt-out is not lawful. Thus having a pre-populated opt-in box is breaking the law. Added in edit: I didn't down-vote you. I have little doubt that others share your confusion, and hence your question adds value. In fact, I've now up-voted you.
  - sergiotapia 12y ago
    >EU law requires opt-in. Having opt-out is not lawful. And that's all there is to it. There is no room for confusion here guys.
  - pessimizer 12y ago
    I don't even think that claudius misunderstood. We're getting so used to beginning a sentence with "and" as an affectation that we're losing the ability to recognize it as a continuation.
    - claudius 12y ago
      Thank you :) I was after some reason why one could possibly think this to be opt-in rather than opt-out, but it appears that there truly is none.
- dirktheman 12y ago
  It is exactly the same. In fact: - Opt-out: user has to take action to NOT receive emails - Opt-in: user has to take action to receive emails - Double opt-in: user has to take action AND confirm his/her email address. The double opt-in process ensures that the person who submitted the form on your website is indeed the recipient of the email address. It's not mandatory by law but good practice. These laws exist in the EU to protect the customer. The OPTA has the power to make you pay a hefty fine (up to €450,000) for sending spam. Unfortunately, these laws do not apply for business to business relationships. In B2B, your company can still send my company unsollicited emails without breaking the law.

claudius 12y ago

And, err, how is a “pre-populated opt-in box” not exactly the same as opt-out? In order not to receive spam, the user has to take an action (i.e. opt out) by unticking the box.

ColinWright 12y ago
>>> "Using pre-populated opt-in boxes now means breaking >>> the law?" >> Yes. It does mean exactly that. You need my permission >> to send me unsolicited marketing emails. > ... how is a "pre-populated opt-in box" not exactly > the same as opt-out? In order not to receive spam, > the user has to take an action (i.e. opt out) by > unticking the box. A "pre-populated opt-in box" is exactly the same as opt-out. EU law requires opt-in. Having opt-out is not lawful. Thus having a pre-populated opt-in box is breaking the law. Added in edit: I didn't down-vote you. I have little doubt that others share your confusion, and hence your question adds value. In fact, I've now up-voted you.
- sergiotapia 12y ago
  >EU law requires opt-in. Having opt-out is not lawful. And that's all there is to it. There is no room for confusion here guys.
- pessimizer 12y ago
  I don't even think that claudius misunderstood. We're getting so used to beginning a sentence with "and" as an affectation that we're losing the ability to recognize it as a continuation.
  - claudius 12y ago
    Thank you :) I was after some reason why one could possibly think this to be opt-in rather than opt-out, but it appears that there truly is none.
dirktheman 12y ago
It is exactly the same. In fact: - Opt-out: user has to take action to NOT receive emails - Opt-in: user has to take action to receive emails - Double opt-in: user has to take action AND confirm his/her email address. The double opt-in process ensures that the person who submitted the form on your website is indeed the recipient of the email address. It's not mandatory by law but good practice. These laws exist in the EU to protect the customer. The OPTA has the power to make you pay a hefty fine (up to €450,000) for sending spam. Unfortunately, these laws do not apply for business to business relationships. In B2B, your company can still send my company unsollicited emails without breaking the law.