This question is not specific to IMAIL, but I thought I'd throw it out here
onto this list.
We are getting hit by more spammers lately. Primarily dialup users who
_claim_ that the email lists they use are opt-in lists where the addressees
requested to receive information.
Of course, we get complaints from the recipients of the messages claiming
receipt of UCE/UBE.
Yes, I've visited cauce. And that's all fine and good. But when it comes
down to it, I have to be the judge and the jury in determining whether or
not email being sent is "UN-solicited".
By definition, it would seem that if the recipient objects to receipt of the
message, they do not wish to receive the message, whether or not they ever
opted to receive such messages in the past.
And there are varying degrees of "spam". Some customers send what appear to
be genuine solicitations promoting their own business, with their own URL,
real street address and phone numbers that actually agree with our records.
Mail headers are in tact and they appear to not be trying to hide their
identity. But most others spew out the typical garbage we are all too
familiar with.
It is my belief that there is a very small percentage of subscribers who
un-knowingly transmit UBE/UCE because:
1. They do not know that they are violating your AUP because they are too
naive or stupid
2. They honestly (definitions vary) believed they were buying a valid opt-in
email list
3. None of the above
I'm curious how others on the list deal with this type of problem.
-Is there justification for ZERO TOLERANCE service termination?
-Do you discuss the situation with the end user and give them a chance to
clean up their act?
-Do you attempt to define the actual message being complained about as
"unsolicited"?
-Do you ignore the problem and hope not to get your IP blocks blacklisted on
other SMTP systems?
Basically, what is the line that has to be crossed before you disconnect
your customer? I am really having a tough time finding an acceptable
"breaking point". I do feel there is a need for control and restriction and
good faith practices in email advertising and soliciting. But until the time
that the guidelines, restrictions and legal procedures are defined by the
ruling Internet Gods, we are all going to have to deal with this spamming
situation.
Thoughts, comments, opinions ???
Scot Desort
NJ Internet Access
Please visit http://www.ipswitch.com/support/mailing-lists.html
to be removed from this list.
