2025 Email: Get Rid of the Training Wheels
Email authentication solves a fundamental problem: proving that messages actually come from who they claim to come from. As we move into 2025, this isn’t just about slapping some DNS records in place and calling it done – it’s about making certain that all of the pieces of your protection scheme are flawlessly working together. Read More
Introducing: Arcana
I run Whizardries, a consultancy that deals with email deliverability and privacy issues. As part of that effort, I’m starting a new podcast about email, deliverability, and privacy topics. I will cover some basic issues, but others will be more advanced. They’re all interesting to me, and I hope they’ll also interest you. We’re calling Read More
Help me see if there is a need for that I can fill
Recently, I spoke with a prospect, and after some discussion, we realized they didn’t need the type of ongoing consulting services that I usually provide. Instead, they need more of a quarterly check-in to stay updated on changes in email deliverability, privacy laws, and industry trends. This got me thinking: Are there more of you Read More
Verkada: Data Protection Issues
On Aug. 30, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission filed an agreed lawsuit against Verkada, Inc.1 The FTC makes several allegations in its complaint that range from failure to use appropriate information security practices to protect customers’ and consumers’ personal information collected through the company’s security cameras, making false statements regarding compliance with HIPAA and Privacy Read More
About Consent Decrees
Last Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission filed a stipulated lawsuit against Verkada, Inc.1 The FTC makes several allegations in its complaint that range from failure to use appropriate information security practices to protect customers’ and consumers’ personal information collected through the company’s security cameras, making false statements regarding compliance with HIPAA and Privacy Read More
Bigger is rarely better
One of the most common mistakes I’ve seen in email marketing is marketers obsessing over list size — especially at the executive level. The thinking goes like this: “The bigger the list, the more success I’ll have.” While it might seem logical at first glance, this mindset is not just flawed; it can be counterproductive, Read More
Legitimate Interest is not just something you assert
Over the years, I’ve heard many excuses for not sending permission-based emails. One of the more creative excuses came from a sender in the EU who, with complete confidence, told me: “I don’t need consent! We have a legitimate interest in marketing our products!” The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides a legal basis for Read More
Can You Ignore Privacy & Data Protection?
Data has become one of the most valuable assets for businesses. Protecting that data is not just a legal requirement in many places but a crucial aspect of maintaining customer trust, credibility, and profitability. Texas has a new comprehensive privacy and data protection law that covers data brokers and companies not considered small businesses by Read More
Plaintiff in Hartley dismisses her case without prejudice
What Happened: On July 17, the judge dismissed the Plaintiff’s case for lack of standing, giving the Plaintiff 21 days to amend the complaint.1 Instead of filing an amended complaint, the Plaintiff dismissed the case entirely but can refile it later.2 Implications of the Dismissal: This dismissal without prejudice means the Plaintiff can refile the Read More
Hartley thrown out: Good news for permission, bad news for spammers
Since December 2023, nationwide, around a dozen class action lawsuits have been filed in federal district courts alleging violations of the same Arizona statute.1 At least two cases (Hartley and Mills) have motions to dismiss with Hartley the first to be decided. This post will examine Hartley and its implications.23 What are these cases alleging? Read More