Canadian ecommerce laws

[ClaytonKendall]

So this is more of an ecommerce question than an SEO question, but I thought I would ask on here in case someone knew. We are concerned with the different rules and regulations concerning signing Canadians up for mailing lists. We know they must explicitly agree to be signed up for an email list, but is there a law regarding creating an account for them? For example, we currently offer an express checkout option where after they place their order, it emails them a username and password that they can use for future orders. We don't use this for any reason besides giving them the option to have information saved for future orders. They are not asking us to create an account for them, but we just feel as though it can potentially save them time down the road? Is this legally allowed, and if so would you recommend it?

Thanks,

Matt

[tolik1]

Legally speaking - I can not answer you :).

Practically speaking - once the account is created, display a small message advising them and giving them the choice to not accept it. EX: "Thanks, we crated a temporary account for you so we can effectively .,.. [insert task here]. Drop us an email at info@domain.com if this causes you any troubles"

This way you should be covered even if creating an account without consent is not accepted.

I hope this helps

[RyanKent]

Here is the official Canada government page on their spam laws. http://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/eng/home

Here is the wiki page in case that is helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Internet_and_Wireless_Spam_Act

[ClaytonKendall]

Thanks Ryan, definitely helpful but the law seems slightly vague.

"Such consent may be implicit, such as by engaging in a transaction with a company, or by virtue of having one's telephone number or email address listed in a public directory."

Sounds like we are technically allowed to email them about the site if they place an order, but at the same time I don't want t cross any boundaries that are frowned upon.