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Wine firm rapped by ACMA after sending unsolicited emails following cyber attack

ACMAMelbourne retailer Get Wines Direct has been rapped by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for sending unsolicited marketing emails to consumers who had unsubscribed.

The ACMA has issued a formal warning to the company for breaching the 2003 Spam Act after it continued sending the emails despite becoming aware of the issue.

An investigation by the media watchdog found Get Wines Direct had been the subject of a cyber attack in the first six months of 2012 and was in the process of rebuilding its database when the emails were sent to 86 unsubscribed addresses.

But even when Get Wines Direct became aware that messages were being sent “it did not cease its marketing campaigns or take steps to ensure that its emails were not misdirected”, the ACMA said in its ruling.

“The investigation concluded that Get Wines Direct sent some marketing messages without the consent of recipients.”

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