What is Canada’s anti-spam legislation?
Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) is a federal act that protects Canadian consumers from spam emails, malware, phishing , and other electronic threats. CASL aims to reduce spam rates and promote a safer online environment for Canadians.
What does CASL cover?
CASL applies to all commercial electronic messages (CEM) you send to Canadian recipients, including those that:
- Are in an electronic format, such as SMS , MMS , emails, instant messaging, or any similar account
- Are sent to an electronic address like email addresses , phone numbers , or instant messaging accounts
- Are transactional in nature, meaning they sell a product or service, or promote a person
The following transactional messages are exempt from CASL:
- Responses to inquiries, complaints, or requests for quotes or estimates
- Warranty information, product recall information, and safety/security updates
- Confirmation of a commercial transaction or ongoing transactions, including product update delivery
- Factual information about a purchase, an existing subscription, membership, account, or loan
Still, even these categories must meet CASL’s identification and unsubscribe requirements.
Penalties for non-compliance
The maximum penalty for CASL violations can be up to $1 million per violation for individuals and $10 million for businesses. Corporation directors, officers, and agents are responsible and liable for any violations if they directed, authorized, or participated in the infringement.
A marketing automation platform like Klaviyo helps make sure your marketing messages to Canadian audiences are CASL-compliant. With Klaviyo, you can design sign-up forms through which you’ll obtain explicit consent from your subscribers.
Klaviyo helps you create emails that include your business name, contact details, and a valid mailing address, making sure this information is always present in your campaigns and flows. Use Klaviyo to enable clear opt-out options in your emails and SMS and MMS messages.
Sign up for Klaviyo today to streamline your marketing efforts and stay compliant with CASL.