A survey conducted by email privacy certification service ReleMail revealed a staggering 87% of internet users believing that they have been spammed after they subscribed to an email newsletter.
The 2004 survey conducted by Relemail also showed 83% of users avoided subscribing to an email newsletter because they weren't sure they could trust the publisher, and 78% do not always believe companies' own email privacy statements.
On the positive side, 91% of users say they are more likely to give their business to an organization that follows ethical email practices and respects their privacy, and 72% said they are more likely to subscribe to an email newsletter that has been independently certified as trustworthy.
"These data point out that people are increasingly skeptical of self-published email privacy policies," said ReleMail founder and email marketing veteran Mike Adams. "They generally don't believe companies' own privacy statements, but they do pay attention to independent certification of email practices."
The survey was taken in conjunction with this week's launch of Relemail, the first email privacy monitoring service available to ecommerce directors, email marketing directors, small businesses and any online organization looking to build trust with customers and potential subscribers. The Relemail service monitors the actual email behaviors of clients, then issues public ratings (1-5 stars) that may be viewed by anyone. Relemail monitors 15 email behaviors and requires its five-star "certified" clients to meet all fifteen.
Results of the 2004 Relemail Email Privacy Survey and other privacy statistics are posted at
http://www.relemail.com/statistics.html
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2010, Adams created NaturalNews.TV, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and pursues hobbies such as martial arts, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening. Known as the 'Health Ranger,' Adams' personal health statistics and mission statements are located at www.HealthRanger.org
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