Comment Number: OL-104399
Received: 4/16/2004 7:19:30 PM
Organization: Core Club International
Commenter: Annelle Stevenson
State: AZ
Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Rule: CAN-SPAM ANPR
Docket ID: [3084-AA96]
No Attachments

Comments:

Re: CAN-SPAM Act Rulemaking, Project No. R411008 To the Commissioners, I applaud your efforts to curb the problem of unsolicited bulk email. However, I am concerned about the proposed requirement for merchants to maintain suppression lists. There are so many problems and costs associated with this idea, and so much damage done to consumers and businesses alike, that I feel I must urge you to consider this matter most carefully. Requirement of the use of suppression lists will seriously damage many of the legitimate publications available on the net. My specific concern is for harm to publishers who require permission from the consumer prior to adding them to any list. They're not who CAN-SPAM was designed to put out of business, but this requirement will very likely have that effect. There's also the potential for significant harm to consumers, because of the problem of properly knowing their intent when they unsubscribe from a list. On top of that, these suppression lists could easily fall into the hands of spammers, leading to more spam instead of less. I was quite surprised at the potential problems this ruling could involve, and urge you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider its implementation in light of these problems. I am a stay at home mom who uses email to advertise my online business. That is how I make money to stay home with my 4 children. The Internet has opened the doors to so many opportunities for parents to work from home. Taking away the direct advertising I have would ulimately force parent like me to get a job outside of the home. Please, there are good people out there who this will hurt. People who are spam complient and follow all the rules. Taking away this mean of advertsing will be devastating. It will not only hurt me, but it will hurt my four children as well. Respectfully, Annelle L. Stevenson Tucson, AZ U.S.A.