A little while ago certain well-known marketers were ‘tricking’ subscribers into signing up for paid subscriptions to their newsletters.

Now that the dust of that settles it seems that at least one of these well-known ‘gurus’ is selling subscribers contact details!

This is soooo wrong in my view, take a look at this article for more information… And be sure to read the privacy policy BEFORE you give out your contact details to anyone. Must admit here I never bother, just assume that they will treat me with respect, but now…

Article reprinted by kind permission of Amber Jalink www.dime-co.com

WARNING: Your Privacy is being breached!

No pitch-Your privacy is being breached. Read now for proof.

Today is a holiday in Canada, but I came online to get things ready for our launches.

I opened my emailbox to find a message from Matt Bacak, a well known “guru”… recommending a product from another “guru”, Justin Blake.

(It’s basically a self-hypnotizing thing for success… supposedly).

I read through the sales letter.

I had something niggling in the back of my mind, so I decided to check out the privacy policy.

~gasp~ !

If you have bought from him OR were thinking about it:

Fair warning: He will sell your information to anyone
who wants it! (Except financial – at least he admits that).

He also states you have no recourse and cannot accuse them of spam. Eesh!

(Proof: http://www.manifestationmeditation.com/privacy.html)

Whether the product is good or not, the fact is “gurus” should be protecting your private information, not sharing it.

Also – another tidbit: The copyright on the privacy policy states “Mining Gold Corporation”. Is that him, or did he “copy” the privacy policy?

Kinda scarey. His main page says, “JB Virtual Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 6543; Traverse City, MI. 49696 231-930-4043″

Not – mining gold corporation.

So there you have it – it could in fact, be both companies selling your info!

I did more research while writing this…

Shawn Casey’s “Mining Gold” (All his products actually), but I researched the “Mining Gold Corporation” Privacy policy. It states:

“we supply our member’s contact information, to our business partners…”

“We may also supply other companies with contact information, for mail offers we believe would be of interest to our members, with or without comepnsation from those companies.”

“If you order services or products directly from our company, we use the personal information you provide to process that order. We do share this information with outside parties that we do business with.”

!!!

Justin Blake’s has been formatted and claims permission to use the privacy policy from Mining Gold. They’ve revised theirs to say:

—
“HOW INFORMATION MAY BE USED

The use of information as described below may or may not be how information that is collected is customarily used by this site. While actual use of any information collected may be used quite conservatively, you must assume that it is not. You must assume that information collected is shared with other persons or entities for commercial purposes. While this is uncommon in practice, you must assume that it is as you make your decision whether or not to view or interact with this website. This type of shared information may include your name, address, phone number, email address and buying habits, as well as other information. This information may be used for general commercial solicitation by this website or other persons it is sold to, rented to, or shared with.

SPAM

By providing to this website information that forms the basis of communication with you, such as an email address, you waive all rights to file complaints concerning unsolicited email or spam from this website since, by providing such information, you agree to receive communication from us or other marketing organizations. However, all email communication with you shall contain an ‘unsubscribe’ link where you may notify the website that you no longer wish to receive solicitations or information from the website and your name will be removed from the general solicitation database.”

—

The fact is: they’re admitting to SELLING and SHARING your private information.

Do you Really want that?

Be very careful about the privacy policies of companies.

Every company should have one – and if there isn’t one that clearly states they protect your private information, you might want to avoid joining (Unless you don’t care about spam or phone calls!)

We maintain our own newsletters, but we never rent, share, sell or trade our lists or customers in any way. Why would we? (That is a link to OUR privacy policy by the way).

It’s pretty sad that these guys complain about spam…
but are a major part of the problem. Of course, it allows them to then create “anti-spam” software.

Okay, safelists – we expect to get spam because the email
addresses are open for everyone to see (usually). And spammers have access to scripts that will actually create possible email addresses, even if you thought you kept it private.

But a purchase from a ‘guru’ product? You shouldn’t have to worry about that.

Sorry, I shouldn’t rant. We all have our good points and bad points, no one is perfect.

But selling someone’s private information is one of the worst things a marketer could do, and it shouldn’t be done.

Protect your privacy. Be wise to it.

(c) 2008, Amber Jalink. Amber Jalink is the Founder and Creator of many websites, including the popular article site, www.dime-co.com. This article may be reproduced in its entirety as long as this resource box is included.

Kind of leaves a nasty taste in your mouth doesn’t it?

Speak to you soon,

Stuart.