Canada launches strictest anti-spam legislation yet

OTTAWA: Canada on Tuesday will enforce its strictest anti-spam legislation ever to protect its citizens from spam and online threats that lead to harassment, identity theft and fraud.

Under the new law, Canadians will have control over who can send them a commercial electronic message or business email. Even with the recipient's consent, companies will have to identify themselves in their emails and provide a way to unsubscribe from receiving further messages.

The approach will protect consumers from receiving unwanted emails or being installed programs in their computers, or having their electronic addresses and personal information leaked.

Canadian businesses are given three years to renew their consent with existing clients. Companies that do not comply with the new rules could face penalties as much as 10 million U.S. dollars, while the maximum for an individual is 1 million.

It is estimated that spam costs the Canadian economy more than 3 billion U.S. dollar per year.

Registered charities are exempt from the new rules and will be able to continue requesting donations through e-mails or texts.

Also included in the approach is a mandatory three-year review of the anti-spam law to ensure it reflects technological change and an evolving digital economy, said a government statement in December.