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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11808172/
E-mail marketing firm settles data mining case
Consumers enticed to reveal information by offers of free iPods, DVDs
ALBANY, N.Y. - A company accused of using unauthorized personal data "mined" by other firms from about 6 million e-mail addresses nationwide has agreed to reform its practices under a $1.1 million settlement, New York officials said Sunday.
Datran Media Corp. of New York City, a leading e-mail marketer, used e-mail addresses and other personal data it obtained from several companies, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office said. The settlement was scheduled to be announced Monday.
The Internet "customer acquisition" companies proclaimed on their Web sites that they wouldn't lend or sell the information provided. Consumers were often enticed to reveal their names, addresses and financial data in exchange for free iPods and DVD movies.
Spitzer accused Datran of knowing of the companies' pledges, but spamming those consumers with unsolicited e-mails anyway, advertising discount drugs, diet pills and other products. Spitzer's staff said they believe it is the largest deliberate breach of Internet privacy discovered by U.S. authorities.
"We have always been and remain committed to industry best practices," Datran spokesman Mark Naples said. "Therefore, we are pleased to resolve this matter with the attorney general and are gratified that his office worked collegially with us."
*****
The Associate Press article goes a bit further.
I am thrilled that they have been nailed. The fine is a nuisance to them. The smarmy "gratified that his office worked collegially with us" line makes it sound like they have done nothing wrong.
I am sorry to say that I worked for a company that helped them to do this sort of thing.
E-mail marketing firm settles data mining case
Consumers enticed to reveal information by offers of free iPods, DVDs
ALBANY, N.Y. - A company accused of using unauthorized personal data "mined" by other firms from about 6 million e-mail addresses nationwide has agreed to reform its practices under a $1.1 million settlement, New York officials said Sunday.
Datran Media Corp. of New York City, a leading e-mail marketer, used e-mail addresses and other personal data it obtained from several companies, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office said. The settlement was scheduled to be announced Monday.
The Internet "customer acquisition" companies proclaimed on their Web sites that they wouldn't lend or sell the information provided. Consumers were often enticed to reveal their names, addresses and financial data in exchange for free iPods and DVD movies.
Spitzer accused Datran of knowing of the companies' pledges, but spamming those consumers with unsolicited e-mails anyway, advertising discount drugs, diet pills and other products. Spitzer's staff said they believe it is the largest deliberate breach of Internet privacy discovered by U.S. authorities.
"We have always been and remain committed to industry best practices," Datran spokesman Mark Naples said. "Therefore, we are pleased to resolve this matter with the attorney general and are gratified that his office worked collegially with us."
*****
The Associate Press article goes a bit further.
I am thrilled that they have been nailed. The fine is a nuisance to them. The smarmy "gratified that his office worked collegially with us" line makes it sound like they have done nothing wrong.
I am sorry to say that I worked for a company that helped them to do this sort of thing.
