What rules applies to a SMTP enabled server instance

James_Morgan

Been looking into the "SMTP enabled server instances" and see mentions about the EU anti spam laws. What's up with that and how do I make sure my email server is legal?

BitcoinExpert

When you try to "enable SMTP" on a G3 instance, this warning will pop up:

By enabling SMTP, port 25, 465 and 587 will be unrestricted on your server instance. You are fully responsible for any email sent from your server instance. Below is a quick summary of the EU anti-spam laws:

Then comes a list of the rules:

Have the customer’s permission to email them
NOT use a pre-checked box to gain the customer’s consent to email them
Honour opt-out requests within a ‘reasonable’ amount of time. There is no strict limit.
Include an unsubscribe link
Use an accurate ‘From’ line that identifies who the email is from
Include your postal address
Include information about how the customer can contact you

Seems pretty straight forward to me when looking into bulk mailing, advertising and stuff like that. And for any other application you'll have the consent by other means anyway.

James_Morgan

Thanks, but why would they need a postal address and contact information if I have a unsubscribe link?

BitcoinExpert

It's about complaints, say your unsubscribe link doesn't work or if there's any other issues. Then the recipient will have no other option than to report your server, which forces a manual check, which means a huge waste of time.

This is basically why you pay extra for short term SMTP enabled servers. They know they will generate a ton of extra work due to spammers, false reports and similar.

The more compliant your emails are, the more likely any Karen receiver will contact you directly instead of authorities to stop the spam. And as rule 3 suggest, you should honor the receivers opt-out requests to avoid trouble or service interruptions.

James_Morgan

Makes sense, thank you! 👍️

AndrewLowrance

Common sense basically, how would you like to sign yourself up for unsolicited advertising and marketing letters?

Boris_Zaitseva

Treat your receivers like you want to be treated yourself, and assume most people won't know much or have the time to setup filters against different types of spam and keep them up to date.