Commercial email senders operating globally must navigate overlapping regulatory frameworks governing user consent, data privacy, and unsubscribe fulfillment.
1. Global Email Privacy Frameworks Compared
| Mandate | US CAN-SPAM Act | EU GDPR / ePrivacy Directive | Canada CASL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consent Model | Opt-out permitted (No prior consent required) | Explicit Opt-in required (Freely given, specific) | Express or Implied Opt-in required |
| Unsubscribe SLA | 10 business days | Immediate / Reasonable timeframe | 10 business days |
| Physical Postal Address | Mandatory in all messages | Mandatory controller identification | Mandatory contact & address |
| Non-Compliance Penalty | Up to $51,744 per violation | Up to €20M or 4% global turnover | Up to $10M CAD per violation |