By CRM Staff
Toronto, Ontario — June 23, 2014 — Canada’s Anti-Spam legislation starts July 1, 2014. The new rules apply to anyone who send commercial electronic message (CEM) to an electronic address. This can include, but isn’t limited to, regular promotional email and customer newsletters.
What It Means
There are three general requirements for sending a CEM. You need (1) consent, (2) identification information and (3) an unsubscribe mechanism. Regarding: number (3), Media Matters Inc. and it’s properties has always had best practices and the ability to 1-click Unsubscribe.
If you have website or newsletter opt-ins, then you must satisfy the requirements below to stay compliant.
1. Consent: Website sign-up forms must now be opt-in (where the user must take action to give consent). If your site’s Contact form had a pre-checked box, then you must update the form. In other words, users must now give consent by actively checking the box. The box cannot be prechecked.
2. If your website or other electronic property does not have a Privacy Policy page, make sure one is added. It must include a valid postal address.
3. Identification information must be included in your electronic communications. If your email templates do not list your postal address, make sure you add this information to them.
What Should You Do?
When the new legislation comes in, the government will stop the flow of commercial emails that are not proven to be opt-in. But you can grandfather opted-in emails before July 1, 2014. Now is the time to get that full list cleaned, giving consent, and verified (because you’ll also see bounces, etc.), but it essential that you move quickly.
