As a podcaster with access to your Acast+ subscriber’s emails, it’s important that you follow certain requirements to remain compliant with Acast’s Terms of Service for Acast+ and global marketing and privacy laws. Please note that you are solely responsible for following these requirements in order to remain compliant with applicable marketing and privacy laws, so we advise you to read this document carefully.
What are the rules on email marketing?
Pursuant to marketing laws across the globe, you cannot send direct marketing emails without first obtaining the subscriber’s opt-in consent. “Direct marketing”' is a broad term that covers all types of advertising or marketing that is directed to individuals via electronic mail (including email, texts, picture or video messages, voicemail messages, in-app messages and direct messaging on social media). If you intend to use your subscriber’s emails to send direct marketing messages, you can only do so if the subscriber has specifically consented to receive those emails (for example, by ticking an opt-in box).
Additionally, if you intend to send direct marketing emails to your subscribers, you must always provide them with the possibility to unsubscribe from those emails. Acast recommends using a trusted email delivery service to assist in managing listener communications. A major benefit of these platforms is the ability to easily honor opt-outs/unsubscribe requests you may get from your subscribers.
Below are examples of the unsubscribe links supported by various platforms to include in your emails (note: none of the platforms listed are endorsed by Acast).
What are the rules on data privacy?
As e-mail addresses exported from Acast+ subscribers may include their personal information (for example, name.lastname@gmail.com), you are responsible for complying with applicable data privacy laws when using those emails, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU. According to those laws, you need to make sure that you have a valid ground (known as a ‘lawful basis’ under GDPR) for using the personal information and that you are clear, open, and honest with your subscribers’ from the start about how you will use their personal information. Additionally, you are responsible for ensuring that the subscriber’s personal information is protected at all times.
Failure to comply with rules on direct marketing and data privacy may lead to a breach of marketing and data privacy laws applicable to you and, as a result thereof, relevant authorities may impose penalties (including fines) against you.
Additional considerations
In addition to the above, you should not engage in any behavior that endangers the security of your subscribers or Acast’s sites, this includes:
Illegal activities - don’t break the law or encourage others to break the law.
Distribution - Do not distribute, sell or share your subscribers’ personal information. This includes selling emails, sharing information with other podcasters, or using the e-mails for any purpose unrelated to the Acast+ subscriptions.
Spam - don’t spam others or distribute unsolicited material.
Malware - don’t host or distribute malicious or destructive software.
Copyright violations - don’t send anything that was not created by you or that violates anyone’s intellectual property rights. This includes text, photos, graphics, and other content.
If you have any questions about this article, please reach out to support via the chat box or privacy@acast.com.