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direct e-mail
``` [The mechanism mentioned here for soliciting commercial e-mail for a given type of product seems like a simple step in the right direction; next steps might involve even more protection of privacy through anonymity. I am pleased and surprised and even a little suspicious that I do not see here what I expected: an attempt to promulgate a "voluntary opt-out" policy regarding unsolicited commercial e-mail, such as the Direct Marketing Association promotes with respect to unsolicited commercial paper mail. But I think we can reasonably presume that the point is the same in each case: voluntary constructive gestures intended largely to ward off formal regulation. I don't know if I want to see an actual law against unsolicited commercial e-mail, given how effectively victims of such practices can take revenge in most cases, but I sure know that the existence of a facility like this one does not weaken the argument for such laws. I have heard rumors, though, of people who have taken revenge against unsolicited e-mail by replying with numerous large messages being accused of denial-of-service attacks, which can be felonies in some cases. If this really happens then we will most surely need to consider laws, perhaps by analogy to the American telemarketing laws, to restrict the immoral acts against which so many decent net users routinely undertake measured, proportionate acts of -- how shall we say? -- discouragement or negative reinforcement. A great deal of smoke has been proliferating on this general topic of late, particularly the preposterous proposal that individuals should be obliged to secure software to filter their incoming mail and remove unsolicited materials that they do not wish to see. It's important to articulate clearly and repeatedly the nature of the issues here, so that such smoke does not displace clear thinking and contribute to the decline of the net community.]
Date: Fri, 05 Jan 96 14:25:46 EST
From: Computer Privacy Digest Moderator
Computer Privacy Digest Fri, 05 Jan 96 Volume 8 : Issue: 003
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Date: 04 Jan 1996 13:51:56 -0600 (CST)
From: Dave Rasmussen
From: inside@insideconnect.com (Inside Connections) Date: 05 Nov 1995 12:44:27 -0800 Subject: The Solution To Unsolicited Email
Hello Everyone:
The Direct Electronic Mail Marketing Association D.E.M.M.A. has been created to bring structure and order to the increasing tidal wave of commercial email on the net. Our mission is to provide an environment where businesses and consumers can conduct business via email and prevent the spread of unsolicited email on the net. To help bring about this goal we have created a universal mail server for subscribing and unsubscribing to commercial email list.
We also have a universal complaint address so victims of unsolicited mail can seek help and report violators.
http://www.memo.net/demma/dema.html
Our web site is still in it's infancy and will benefit from the constructive feedback of the list. We look forward to receiving your feedback and suggestions on the site as well as your thoughts on the mission of the D.E.M.M.A.
Thank You Mark Eberra President Charter Member
http://www.memo.net/demma/dema.html
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Dave Rasmussen - Information & Media Technologies (ex-CSD) Client Services Internet: dave@csd.uwm.edu Phone: 414-229-5133 2m HAM Radio: N9REJ USmail: Box 413 Bol213, Milwaukee, WI 53201
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End of Computer Privacy Digest V8 #003
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