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Establishing an email register. Setting up an opt-out scheme for unsolicited email under the Distance Selling Directive. OFTEL’s role. Protecting interests of consumers using telecoms networks Established opt-out registers for phone calls and faxes under the Telecoms Data Protection Directive
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Establishing an email register Setting up an opt-out scheme for unsolicited email under the Distance Selling Directive
OFTEL’s role • Protecting interests of consumers using telecoms networks • Established opt-out registers for phone calls and faxes under the Telecoms Data Protection Directive • If opt-out decision made for email, likely to be responsible for setting up similar scheme • General advisory role on telecoms matters
How do the current opt-out schemes work? • OFTEL delegates functions of establishing and running register to another body through a tender process • A fee is set for consulting the register - the fee is designed to cover the costs of setting up and maintaining the register • Direct marketers are obliged to consult the register on a regular basis and purge names from their lists
How might an email scheme differ? • Must be available online • Must be able to take orders from overseas direct marketers intending to email UK residents • Must not provide email addresses direct to marketers, but instead provide some form of ‘cleansing’ service
Some questions • Unlike calls and faxes, there are no real precedents for an email scheme in UK • How many UK and overseas direct marketers are sending unsolicited email to UK residents? • Cost of establishing register? Setting charges? • Consumer demand to opt out?
What about opt-in? • OFTEL’s view that opt-in does not require a formal register • Marketers would collect opt-in email addresses through invitations from specific companies on websites • Consumers could also sign onto general opt-in lists to receive information about topics of interest