Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2003/02/14/spam_arrest_denies_sending_spam/

Spam Arrest denies sending spam

If it looks like spam, and it tastes like...

By John Leyden

Posted in Legal, 14th February 2003 23:23 GMT

Anti-spam outfit Spam Arrest uses opt-out marketing practices which look - just like spam!

Users who wish to send a message to Spam Arrest's customers must enter a keyword, as part of the sender-verification scheme. This ensures a person - and not a spam programme - is sending a message.

When email senders do this they automatically get an unsolicited message which pitches Spam Arrest's services. There's no warning notice that this will happen, certainly not in Spam Arrest's FAQ.

The issue has been taken up in Declan McCullagh's Politech mailing list.

Spam Arrest defends its practices, which it says are ethical. It argues that marketing messages have a valid return, a clear subject line and a functioning opt-out link.

It states that the opt-out link is safe and "the only sure way to remove your address from receiving future spam arrest promotions."

But isn't this exactly the claim spammers themselves often make in trying to entice people to confirm spam email has been received? ®