I have received many Requests For Consent from Canadian companies that were sending me information in newsletters. Now that most of the CASL (Canadian Anti-Spam Law) will come into effect July 1, 2014, I thought I’d share some of my research and resources with you, so you can hopefully find some answers to your specific questions quicker.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer. This is based on what I found on the web, and you can use this in your own research, so you can create your own opinion. It may also be wise to consult a real lawyer.
What I see as some of the core elements of the new laws regarding “Commercial Electronic Messages”, or CEMs:
- Express consent:
- The person requesting permission should clearly identify him/herself, and state why the permission is sought
- The recipient needs to clearly say “yes”, and act; pre-checked opt-in boxes in a subscription form are not enough
- The best way to protect yourself is to use double opt-in for your newsletters and broadcasts (this means: people need to confirm a link in an email before they are added to your list)
- Explicit consent does not expire
- Implied consent:
- Only temporary…
- 6 months to reply to inquiries or applications
- 2 years in case of an “existing business relationship” or “non-business relationship”
- 2 years in case somebody disclosed their address to you (e.g. gave you a business card)
- 2 years in case the address is published (e.g. on a website)
Some basic BUT’s:
- You do not have implied consent if the recipient states that they do not want to be contacted
- You should offer unsubscribe options, and honour these requests immediately
- You have to track how you obtained consent of each individual to whom you send CEMs
- You should clearly identify yourself and allow people to contact you; make sure that the contact information is valid for a minimum of 60 days after the message has been sent
- The implied consent only applies to messages that are relevant to the recipient’s role, functions or duties in an official or business capacity
Of course this is only a very rough and incomplete overview. Check the resources below for more detailed and complete information, or consult a lawyer with your specific questions or concerns.
AGAIN:
I am not a lawyer. This is merely my interpretation of the information that I found on the web. I hope this will help you in your own research, or your preparation when consulting of a real lawyer.
CASL Resources
Here are some of the resources that I used in my research:
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation – summary
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation – full text
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Compliance and Enforcement Information Bulletin
Some more notes and resources:
“The law is part of Canada’s attempt to deter the most damaging and deceptive forms of spam like identity theft, phishing, and spyware. Unlike CAN-SPAM, which accepts an opt-out model, CASL requires an opt-in model. This means you must have explicit (not implied) permission from the recipient in order to send email marketing to anyone in Canada.”
Source: Infusionsoft
Regarding Trade Show contacts:
“Best practices: include a checkbox on any trade show forms indicating that the prospect wishes to receive promotional emails, and send an opt-in confirmation at the end of the trade show to double check.”
Source: Salesforce (link no longer available)
Canadian Anti-Spam Law – Information and resources for not-for-profits and registered charities
From the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta
The Fear-Free Guide to Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation: Answers to Ten Common Questions (June 10, 2014)
Related article from Dr. Michael Geist, who is a law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law
