OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC is continuing in its efforts to stamp out spam after teaming up with agencies from six other countries to investigate over 900 suspect international websites.
The global initiative, conducted through the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet), targeted entities engaging in online marketing activities that could be considered illegitimate, non-compliant, unfair or fraudulent.
As part of that sweep, UCENet partners reviewed over 900 websites and examined more than 6,500 consumer complaints related to affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a common business practice in electronic commerce where a company sells its products to consumers through third-party marketers (‘affiliates’) who promote and advertise for a commission. This practice is legitimate when operated within legislative and regulatory boundaries.
Of all the websites visited, over 200 were flagged for further action by the group. Some agencies found misleading advertising in some segments of the affiliate marketing ecosystem, and participating countries that have an opt-in unsolicited communication regime noted that some affiliates did not appear to obtain the consumer’s consent prior to sending electronic communications. The sweep also uncovered affiliate marketing programs that appeared to be compliant with the requirements of unsolicited communication regimes.
The Commission said Wednesday that the sweep helped to increase its understanding of the affiliate marketing ecosystem and adapt its outreach and enforcement activities related to Canada's anti-spam legislation accordingly.
“Fraudulent marketing activities affect Canadians every day”, said CRTC chief compliance and enforcement officer Steven Harroun, in a statement. “Whether they are committed in Canada or around the world, they need to be stopped. The CRTC is working with its international partners to protect Canadians from non-compliant commercial emails and improve their confidence in our communications system.’’
Canadians are encouraged to report suspected violations to Canada’s anti-spam legislation to the Spam Reporting Centre.
