What's the law against using university email lists?

[GoonerboyFoze]

Basically I go to a university where the student directory is completely accessible for students. Meaning you can search someone's name and get their student email address.

I've handpicked a list of 1k email addresses.

Now my business plan was the promote something that appeals to most students and as students check their emails every day I thought it would be a lucrative idea. The email would contain now ads but it would have a soft CTA (call-to-action) at the bottom of the promo image.

Now, does anyone know the laws surrounding emailing students in that way?


P.S I will not be using my student email and the email I use won't reveal my student name either.

 

[Hawkster]

I have no idea what the laws are. Just wanted to stick my nose in. Wont the emails reach their spam box? Making it difficult to make a decent earning.

 

[GoonerboyFoze]

I have no idea what the laws are. Just wanted to stick my nose in. Wont the emails reach their spam box? Making it difficult to make a decent earning.

Only if I put ads and spammy words / subject.

The idea is that my phone number is the CTA. This isn't an IM project by any means. Its a type of promotion where I'd need a large network of people / phone numbers.

The money will be made by them turning up to the event.

 

[Total Noob]

It's against CAN-SPAM. They didn't agree to receive emails from you, so you can't legally email them.

That being said, no one is going to care about 1,000 emails. The only real risk that you'd run is damaging the image of whatever you're promoting by spamming. (I'm not saying break the law, but 1,000 emails is like... selling .1 and being scared that the DEA will do a no-knock raid.)

Jared

 

[GoonerboyFoze]

It's against CAN-SPAM. They didn't agree to receive emails from you, so you can't legally email them.

That being said, no one is going to care about 1,000 emails. The only real risk that you'd run is damaging the image of whatever you're promoting by spamming. (I'm not saying break the law, but 1,000 emails is like... selling .1 and being scared that the DEA will do a no-knock raid.)

Jared

So this is essentially blackhat?

 

[YangC]

Well I don't think there are any such laws. but yeah invading university directory privacy would.

 

[GoonerboyFoze]

Well I don't think there are any such laws. but yeah invading university directory privacy would.

That's what I'm questioning though.

Is it invasion of privacy if I am a student?