Eyewear giant faces hefty fine for spamming customers
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In a digital age where our inboxes are often cluttered with promotional emails, it's essential to know that you have the right to opt out of marketing communications.
Unfortunately, not all companies respect this right, as evidenced by a recent case where a major eyewear company was hit with a hefty $1.5 million fine for spamming customers with over 200,000 emails in just six months.
Luxottica, the owner of well-known brands such as OPSM, Sunglass Hut, Ray-Ban, and Oakley, found itself in hot water with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching Australian spam laws.
The company sent a staggering 91,231 marketing emails without a functional unsubscribe option, and to add insult to injury, they also sent 112,348 texts and emails to customers who had already unsubscribed from marketing material.
Under Australian spam laws, businesses are required to provide a clear and easy way for recipients to unsubscribe from marketing messages.
They must also obtain consent from individuals before sending them promotional content.
Over the last 18 months, companies found guilty of violating spam unsubscribe regulations have been fined over $12.7 million. Among the companies fined were Uber, Outdoor Supercentre, and Kmart.
ACMA member Samantha Yorke expressed her shock at the company's disregard for customers who had taken steps to unsubscribe, emphasising the importance of businesses honouring such requests.
‘Businesses must keep up their side of the bargain and stop sending these messages when customers ask them to,’ Yorke asserted.
‘Once emails include this kind of marketing content, they are commercial under the spam rules and must include the option to unsubscribe from further messages.’
‘It is unacceptable to include advertising or promotional material if a customer has no way to opt out of receiving these messages,’ she added.
Luxottica was directed to engage an independent consultant to assess its adherence to spam regulations and implement necessary improvements.
Additionally, it must provide regular reports to ACMA.
Ms Yorke emphasised ACMA's recommendation for all e-marketing companies in Australia to ensure the effectiveness of their compliance mechanisms in preventing customer spam.
Luxottica has yet to comment on the issue.
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Unfortunately, not all companies respect this right, as evidenced by a recent case where a major eyewear company was hit with a hefty $1.5 million fine for spamming customers with over 200,000 emails in just six months.
Luxottica, the owner of well-known brands such as OPSM, Sunglass Hut, Ray-Ban, and Oakley, found itself in hot water with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching Australian spam laws.
The company sent a staggering 91,231 marketing emails without a functional unsubscribe option, and to add insult to injury, they also sent 112,348 texts and emails to customers who had already unsubscribed from marketing material.
Luxottica was fined a hefty $1.5 million for breaching Australian spam laws. Credits: Shutterstock
Under Australian spam laws, businesses are required to provide a clear and easy way for recipients to unsubscribe from marketing messages.
They must also obtain consent from individuals before sending them promotional content.
Over the last 18 months, companies found guilty of violating spam unsubscribe regulations have been fined over $12.7 million. Among the companies fined were Uber, Outdoor Supercentre, and Kmart.
ACMA member Samantha Yorke expressed her shock at the company's disregard for customers who had taken steps to unsubscribe, emphasising the importance of businesses honouring such requests.
‘Businesses must keep up their side of the bargain and stop sending these messages when customers ask them to,’ Yorke asserted.
‘Once emails include this kind of marketing content, they are commercial under the spam rules and must include the option to unsubscribe from further messages.’
‘It is unacceptable to include advertising or promotional material if a customer has no way to opt out of receiving these messages,’ she added.
Luxottica was directed to engage an independent consultant to assess its adherence to spam regulations and implement necessary improvements.
Additionally, it must provide regular reports to ACMA.
Ms Yorke emphasised ACMA's recommendation for all e-marketing companies in Australia to ensure the effectiveness of their compliance mechanisms in preventing customer spam.
Luxottica has yet to comment on the issue.
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