Illegal to sell email information? (1 Viewer)

[DeathStar1]

Here's a question. I got a spam telling me to buy a CD with thousands of emails on it. Is it illegal to sell peoples information like this? And if it is, where can I report this idiot?

 

[Jason Handy]

I can't see any reason why it is illegal. Loads of unsuspecting people sign up for web sites every day and forget to uncheck those boxes at the bottom of the page. My understanding was that it is not considered private information and is publicly available, especially if the person has consented (even if passively consenting) to the information being released.

Jason

 

[Brian Kleinke]

Companies sell list of addresses to other companies all the time. It's how you end up with so much junk mail. I doubt it's illegal to do the same with e-mail addresses. Thus the check box, you can share this info with other companys... which is almost always checked by defualt on most online forms.

Brian

 

[Kevin P]

If people are selling my email address, then where's my money!!??

 

[Ryan Wright]

I don't know about selling the info but sending unsolicited commercial email to residents of Washington State (where I live) is illegal unless you follow strict guidelines. You can be sued for $500 per message you send.