Legal Definitions - Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010: Effective Date

The Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010 is a law that aims to protect Canadians from unwanted spam emails, texts, and other electronic messages. It was passed in 2010, but its provisions were implemented in stages.

On April 1, 2011, some changes to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) were made by the Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010. These changes were related to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.

Most of the remaining provisions of the law came into effect in 2014. These provisions included rules about sending commercial electronic messages, installing computer programs, and collecting electronic addresses. For example, the law requires that businesses obtain consent from individuals before sending them commercial emails or texts.

Some provisions of the law will come into effect in 2017. These provisions relate to the private right of action, which allows individuals to sue businesses that violate the law.

Overall, the Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010 is designed to protect Canadians from unwanted electronic messages and to promote responsible online behavior.

• A business sends an email to a customer without obtaining their consent first. This is a violation of the Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010.
• A company installs a computer program on a customer's computer without their knowledge or consent. This is also a violation of the law.
• An individual receives a text message from a business offering a discount on their products. The message includes an option to unsubscribe from future messages. This is an example of a business following the rules of the Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010.

These examples illustrate how the Canadian Anti-Spam Law of 2010 regulates the sending of electronic messages and the installation of computer programs. The law requires businesses to obtain consent from individuals before sending them commercial messages or installing programs on their devices. It also gives individuals the right to opt out of receiving future messages.