In 2003, the U.S. adopted a measure known as CAN-SPAM to ameliorate widespread problems associated with unsolicited emails. Since then, numerous other nations have introduced similar measures to protect consumers. Some of these provisions not only regulate email compliance, but also data protection.
Some wider known examples of these include CAN-SPAM, CASL, and GDPR. However, there are many other global provisions outside of these three.
While laws like CAN-SPAM do protect consumers from fraud, they raise questions for legitimate companies who use email as part of their marketing strategy. Each country has its own set of requirements for email compliance, ranging from remarkably stringent to essentially non-existent. Due to this high level of variance, this is meant to serve as a guide to email marketing regulations around the world.
Opt-in: An ‘opt-in’ means a customer has expressed clear interest in receiving marketing emails.
Double Opt-in: A ‘double opt-in’ requires a confirmation link to be sent to the provider. This confirms the identity of the person who provided the email address.
OPT-OUT: An ‘opt-out’ allows someone to cease receiving any further emails or
ISP: An ‘ISP’ is an Internet Service Provider, which regulates users’ access to the internet. Certain countries allow ISPs to regulate internet security and privacy through company policy rather than enacting binding legislation.
UNSUBSCRIBE LINK: An ‘unsubscribe link’ allows a recipient of an email to opt-out or remove themselves from any further communications from a business.