Compu-Finder fined $1.1 million under anti-spam law

The CRTC has issued its first fine under Canada’s anti-spam law.

Compu-Finder has 30 days to contest the CRTC’s ruling or a face a penalty of $1.1-million.

The Commission said that its investigation found that Compu-Finder sent commercial electronic messages without the recipient’s consent, as well as emails in which the unsubscribe mechanisms did not function properly. The four alleged violations occurred between July 2, 2014 and September 16, 2014, and included emails promoting training courses to businesses, often related to topics such as management, social media and professional development.

The CRTC added that it conducted a number of information sessions across the country and offered guidance materials on its website to help Canadian businesses comply with the law, which came in to effect on July 1, 2014.

“Despite the CRTC’s efforts, Compu-Finder flagrantly violated the basic principles of the law by continuing to send unsolicited commercial electronic messages after the law came into force to email addresses it found by scouring websites”, said chief compliance and enforcement officer Manon Bombardier, in a statement. “By issuing this Notice of Violation, my goal is to encourage a change of behaviour on the part of Compu-Finder such that it adapts its business practices to the modern reality of electronic commerce and the requirements of the anti-spam law. We take violations to the law very seriously and expect businesses to be in compliance.”

Agencies/Canadajournal