Ethics of possible spamming?

[Admin]

I am doing some work for a client who just had me import 5000+ addresses into their mailing list. I have no idea where these addresses came from. They appear to be related to their business, they sell DJ gear and a lot of the addresses are DJing related.

Should I worry about this at all? I _really_ dislike spam but is it my consern where these addresses came from? The mailing list is _very_ easy to unsubscribe from...

Ugh, I am stuck on this right now.

[Belisarius]

Spamming is forcing ads down someone's throat. If the list is actually opt-out, and the members seem to have some interest in the material, I don't think it's too much of a problem. It's not like you're creating a system that'll pitch Viagra to grandmothers.

[idx]

Sounds fine since its easy to opt-out and they aren't trying to re-use/sell the opt'ed addresses to someone else.

-r

[sde]

i agree, .. seems ok to me. this our line of work and what he wants is his line of work. none of it is illegal since you provide a legit opt-out option. if you think he may have obtained the address' illegally somehow, maybe just add a clause in the contract that he has obtained the addys legally and you are not responsible.

i don't think a printing company would turn down a print job because they don't like the way their client does business. ( even though it is legal )

besides, you'll probably forget all about your internal ethical conflict on the way to the bank anyways

[Admin]

you'll probably forget all about your internal ethical conflict on the way to the bank anyways

hahahaa, ok you got me there. i can't turn down the money. i just really dont want to be affialted with spam.

thanks for the feedback everyone.

[Valmont]

My very first coding job was at Packard Bell. It was a cut throat company in my eyes so I left. My second coding job (talking about HUGE projects) was at CMG Netherlands. It was a cut throat company in my eyes as well, so I left. In the end, I work now as a civil servant. I can do whatever I want and never have to "lie" to customers/clients. It pays less but I can sleep better.

Listen, if somebody receives advertisement without subscribing for it, then it is wrong. It might be easy to "unsubscribe", but that's not an excuse. The customer never subscribed to advertisement in the first place Admin. Occasionally we all have to swallow things we'd rather not. I suppose it's your turn now. But I personally wouldn't swallow this all too often .