Healthcare Digital Marketing Trends Survey Spam Policy

Spam Policy

Researcher has zero tolerance for Unsolicited Broadcast Email and Unsolicited Commercial Email (“UBE/UCE”, commonly known as “spam”).

What is spam?

The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act requires unsolicited commercial e-mail messages to be labeled (though not by a standard method) and to include opt-out instructions and the sender’s physical address.

It prohibits the use of deceptive subject lines and false headers in such messages.

State laws that require labels on unsolicited commercial e-mail or prohibit such messages entirely are pre-empted, although provisions merely addressing falsity and deception would remain in place. The CAN-SPAM Act took effect on January 1, 2004.

As defined by H.R. 3113 and reported by the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, unsolicited e-mail refers to any electronic message that:

• Advertises a product or service for profit;
• Is sent for other commercial purposes;
• Is sent to a recipient with whom the initiator does not have an existing business relationship; or
• Invites the recipient to view content on an internet website that is operated for a commercial purpose.

Researcher recognizes an e-mail as “spam” if:

• The recipient is unable to easily unsubscribe from the e-mail list;
• The transmission contains invalid or forged headers, invalid or non-existent domain names, or other means of deceptive addressing; or
• In the opinion of the recipient, the transmission and reception of the message appears to give a disproportionate benefit to the sender (not relevant to the individual recipient).

What is opt-in vs. opt-out e-mail?

Opt-in email is a Web marketing term for promotional email that recipients have previously requested by signing up via a website or special ad banner. Typically, Web users are invited to sign up for promotional information about one or more product or service categories. Those who sign up have thus “opted in.”

Opt-out email is a Web marketing term for promotional email that recipients have not previously requested by signing up.

However, for Researcher email distributions, the contact’s email address must have been provided to Researcher by that individual via a Researcher website, member list, mailing list, conference, or trade show.

Individuals who have willingly given Researcher their contact information via these methods are automatically added to email distribution lists that benefit that individual. Although the individual is added to the email distribution list on the concept of opt-out, the individual is ALWAYS given the opportunity to easily unsubscribe – without being hassled.

What is Researcher doing to become “anti-spam?

Researcher hopes that individuals find its email communications informative and helpful. However, Researcher respects the recipient’s wishes for either receiving or not receiving email communications from us.

Therefore, Researcher has adopted the following as procedures for all of its email distribution communications:

• Valid addressing: The email communication will be sent to a single recipient with the intention of it being received by only one individual. The sender address will be a valid Researcher email address that is monitored by a Researcher employee. Therefore the sender address can also be sent email. The sender address will always be an active, working employee of Researcher.
• Valid headers/subjects: The email will always have a header or subject that is appropriate and true to the content provided in the communication. The header or subject will not be used inappropriately or give a disproportionate benefit to the sender.
• Valid contact information: Any contact information in the email will be real and relevant to Researcher.
• Valid subscribe/unsubscribe service: The email will always have the “Researcher Subscription” information at the end. Researcher emails and website will always provide information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe to any of its email distribution lists. The process to subscribe and unsubscribe is simple and requires only a few seconds. Researcher also uses the sender’s email as a means to unsubscribe to any Researcher communication distribution lists. An email sent to their address is handled personally by our marketing department to meet the satisfaction of the requester, including a confirmation email and follow up call. Researcher also has a strict privacy policy posted on our website, which addresses the fact that information collected by Researcher is not sold, but used internally for marketing and telemarketing campaigns.
• Relevant and beneficial information for the recipient: Researcher attempts to provide honest information about our company, solutions, products, services, or other information, which we feel, will be in some way relevant and beneficial to the recipient.
• Mindfulness and compliance with company policies: Researcher’s email distributions will be mindful and in compliance with its current Privacy Policy as well as its Anti-Spam Policy which is in compliance with current international privacy-policy requirements.

How do we protect your privacy?

We use strict security measures to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of data used by our system. Please review our Privacy Policy for more details.

Why did you receive an email from our system?

A mailing was sent from an email contact that came from a relevant mailing list, tradeshow, membership list, direct contact or meeting with an individual. We promise to keep your email address secure and private and will not use it for other purposes.

How do I get off an email list?

Each email sent through Researcher contains a link that allows subscribers to unsubscribe from receiving emails from the sender. Each email contains an easy and automated way for you to unsubscribe.

If you wish to unsubscribe, simply follow the instructions at the bottom of any email. If you have received an unwanted email sent by Researcher, please forward a copy of the email and your comments to [email protected].

Our business partners are strictly prohibited from using UBE/UCE in their marketing efforts and are subject to immediate termination of contract if they do so. If you believe you have received Unsolicited Broadcast Email and Unsolicited Commercial Email from Researcher or any of our business partners, please make a formal complaint.

Will my information ever be shared, sold or rented?

We will never share, sell, or rent individual personal information to any other parties without your advance permission, unless ordered by a court of law. Information submitted to us is available only to employees responsible for managing this data.

If you have any questions about Researcher’s Anti-Spam Policy, please call us at 319.221.1667 or email us at [email protected].