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Shopping website fined $165,000 for SPAM marketing emails

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By Steven Raeburn, N/A

October 10, 2013 | 2 min read

GraysOnline shopping website has been fined $165,000 for sending marketing emails that did not comply with the Spam Act.

Richard Bean of the ACMA

The site was investigated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which found its email campaign for GraysEscape website sent messages without an opt-out facility.

It also sent emails to some people who had previously withdrawn their consent to receiving marketing messages.

In Australia, the Spam Act requires that all marketing emails are sent with the consent of the recipient, and include an option for recipients to opt-out of receiving further marketing messages.

“This case demonstrates the domino effect one wrong decision can have,” said ACMA Deputy Chairman, Richard Bean.

“Businesses take a huge risk if they decide an email doesn’t need to comply with the Spam Act.

“This conduct involved a conscious decision by an experienced e-marketer. The consequences of getting it wrong can be severe—from potential penalties such as this, to damaging your reputation.”

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