Uber Penalized by Australia for Violating Anti-Spam Regulations
Uber was fined by Australia’s communications watchdog on Thursday for violating anti-spam laws by sending over two million emails to customers.
The emails promoting the alcohol home delivery service were sent on one day in January, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said.
The messages did not offer customers an opportunity to unsubscribe, and more than 500,000 of them were sent to people who had asked not to receive marketing emails.
The rideshare and food delivery company was fined A$412,500 ($260,000).
Under Australian law, companies cannot send marketing emails without the customer’s consent.
The emails must also include the option to cancel the order.
ACMA president Nerida O’Loughlin said Uber’s actions were an “avoidable mistake”.
“Customers are fed up with not having their wishes respected,” he added.
Uber apologized, and a spokesperson told AFP it had “made a mistake” in sending marketing messages.
Companies have paid more than A$11 million in fines for breaching spam and telemarketing laws in Australia over the past 18 months, the ACMA said.
