Is There a "Do Not Email" List?

CAN-SPAM protects the public from unwanted emails.

Conceptually, a Do Not Email Registry would enable consumers to opt-out of receiving unsolicited emails, just as they are able to do with phone calls via the Do Not Call Registry. While online petitions calling for a Do Not Email Registry are common, and registries claiming to be such a list have arisen, they are neither legitimate nor government authorized. A Do Not Email Registry does not currently exist.

Unsub.us

The Federal Trade Commission, the United States' consumer protection agency, said in a 2004 press release that persons who entered their email addresses into the database at unsub.us were the victims of a scam. The site, although mimicking the appearance of the federal Do Not Call Registry, was privately registered and had no legitimate authority. In fact, the site may even have been a high-tech spam -- or even identity theft -- scheme.

Government Action

Following the 2003 congressional creation of the incredibly popular national Do Not Call Registry, the FTC began an investigation into the effectiveness and feasibility of a National Do Not Email Registry. In June 2004, they presented "National Do Not Email Registry: A Report to Congress," which indicated that a Do Not Email Registry would most likely be ineffective.

Arguments

Many consumers are strongly in favor of the creation of a Do Not Email Registry, spurred by a desire for the opportunity to filter email using means similar to the Do Not Call Registry and spam opt-out options for physical mail. However, the FTC believes a Do Not Email Registry would be ineffective, due to specific issues raised by the nature of email. They cited spammers' notorious disregard for federal law, the near-impossibility of tracing the origins of most spam emails, and potential dangers and possibility of increased spam raised by the creation of such a registry.

The FTC's report urged the private sector to develop and implement effective spam solutions, but left the door open for government intervention in the future.

CAN-SPAM

CAN-SPAM legislation attempts to protect the public from unwanted commercial emails. For example, commercial emails must clearly identify to the receiver how to remove himself from the email list. Recipients must also be notified where the sender is physically located, subject lines must not attempt to deceive the consumer, and opt-out requests must be honored promptly. The legislation does provide some relief to consumers weary of receiving unwanted and unsolicited emails.

References

• Snopes Urban Legends Reference Pages; Barbara & David Mikkelson: National Do Not Email Registry
• Federal Trade Commission; Sham Site Is a Scam - There Is No "National Do Not E-mail Registry"; February 12, 2004
• Federal Trade Commission; Issues for a "Do Not Email" List; Matt Bishop
• MSNBC; Do-Not-Spam List Won't Work, FTC Says; Bob Sullivan; June 15, 2004
• Federal Trade Commission; The CAN-SPAM Act - A Compliance Guide for Business; September 2009
• Federal Trade Commission: Spam

Resources

• Federal Trade Commission; National Do Not Email Registry A Report to Congress; June 2004