Moveon.org should take some of its own medicine
I was browsing through Google Reader and what did my eyes behold but a ClickZ blog post about Moveon.org's email policies. Seems what they're suggesting that Facebook do in regard to Beacon - create an opt-in rather than opt-out policy - is not a standard to which they abide themselves.
Please read on. What I say next may disturb you. (At least that's my hope.)
Moveon's Facebook petition page includes this statement...
However, at the bottom of the page, in the small print, here's what you find..."Moveon will send you updates about this and other important campaigns by email. If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from our email list, you may do so."
My friends, that is what's known as an "opt-out" policy, not an opt-in. It's a classic tactic used by some non-profits to get you on their mailing list without expressly asking your permission. They can do that because the law does not require opt-in. The CAN SPAM ACT only requires that you be given the right to opt-out.
Because Moveon.org is a 501(c)4 non-profit, they can't really be charged with sending UCE in the first place, since none of their emails would be considered commercial.
In all honesty, the whole thing is a racket. Here's how it works...
First, they get you worked up over some hot button issue and urge you to take some type of action such as a petition. (Now, listen to me. What I'm about to say is absolutely the truth.) It is simply a baiting tactic in order to get your personally identifiable information. Once in hand they have carte blanche to spam you. I wouldn't be surprised if the *poor souls who signed this petition started getting fund-raising emails in addition to issue-related advocacy messages.
If Moveon wants my permission to send me email, they should ask for it on the petition form, plain and simple. Opt-in vs. opt-out, the same standard they petitioned Facebook to require.
I took a few minutes to read their entire privacy policy, and found this...
We do not share the information you’ve given us with unaffiliated groups without your explicit permission. We may share some of your personal information with the following affiliated groups:
- MoveOn.org Political Action, our sister organization;
- Affiliated Third Parties – for example, our database administrators – for the sole purpose of helping Us do our work. These groups do not share your personal information or use it for any purpose other than as instructed by Us.
- Third Party Administrators, such as organizations we engage to facilitate large distribution of messages. The content of these emails will be from MoveOn.org Civic Action and these third parties do not have direct access to your personally identifiable information.
I have a real problem with bullet point #1. Moveon is one of the most left-wing political action groups out there. While they have a right to their opinion, if I don't happen to share it (and I don't), I should not be subject to receiving emails touting a political position not my own, unless I have given the organization explicit permission!
Looking further down the page, the policy states, "MoveOn.org Civic Action and MoveOn.org Political Action are separate organizations. However, they’re both interested in promoting your participation in the democratic process. As such, when you provide your personal information to MoveOn.org Civic Action , we share it with MoveOn.org Political Action."
Ditto what I said above, but this time with feeling.
Oh, but it gets worse. Here's what the policy states about telephone campaigns..."From time to time, the MoveOn.org Political Action staff members, MoveOn.org Political Action volunteers, and Grassroots Campaigns employees may contact you by telephone about urgent campaigns. If you have provided your telephone number to us through our website then you may be contacted by one of our volunteers or staff members."
Betcha weren't counting on that when you signed the petition were ya! If, by now, I've disturbed you enough that you'd like to take action, let me suggest one -- .
I looked up the definition of hypocrite in the dictionary a few minutes ago. It said, "a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives."
Moveon, don't ask Facebook to do what you're not willing to do yourself, no matter your motive.
*In the interest of transparency, I did sign the petition. I want to see what Moveon does with my information. If I find out that my conjectures are all wet, believe me I'll be the first to admit it. I don't expect such an admission will be forthcoming, however.
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