Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!abvax!iccgcc!herrickd From: herrickd@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: *** Lotus Marketplace-style PRIVACY ALERT Message-ID: <4816.284e2673@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com> Date: 6 Jun 91 17:11:31 GMT References: <20164@rsiatl.Dixie.Com> <64456@bbn.BBN.COM> Distribution: na Lines: 26 In article <64456@bbn.BBN.COM>, cosell@bbn.com (Bernie Cosell) writes: > > In what way could you 'make sure' you are out of their databases? I > can see no reason why they should be obligated to remove anything from > their list simply because it bugs you to be there. The reason the Direct Marketers Association (whatever they call themselves) and Lotus are happy to remove names on request is because those names reduce the value of the mailing list, purging people like Bernie Cosell and John deArmond (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) makes the list cleaner and more valuable. The direct marketers who buy the lists do not want to send mail to people's wastebaskets. > Unlike Lotus, where > they might CARE about consumer reaction [since they also market > consumer products], I see no problem with a "strictly wholesale" > operation not giving a sh*t if you're happy or not about it. Their customers care. Therefore, they care. Didn't Lotus offer the removal service in the first announcement of their proposed product? dan herrick herrickd@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com