Along with Xoom's membership, some Net users specifically sign up for direct marketing services, which alert them when a desired product or service has an announcement such as a sale. But those firms toe a thin line, and so they also have adopted opt-out policies. Netizens who sign up with NetCreations , for example, choose what kinds of promotions they will receive by selecting from any number of options on the site. To sign up on a list, users have to reply to an email message confirming that they want to receive future messages. NetCreations uses that double opt-in approach to avoid being labeled a spammer.
Most people see their email box as their personal space.
I think when it comes to email, if you didn't specifically sign up for a list, you'd think your privacy was violated. Whether firms are using mass email to communicate with users or as an additional revenue generator, antispammers agree that they should ask for permission first, said Jason Catlett, president of antispam advocacy group Junkbusters . The main thing is, don't jump in uninvited. Inc. All rights reserved.