Despite the ongoing efforts from many organizations to challenge laws related to do-not-email registries, State registries to “protect” children continue to establish.

According to Media Post, do-not-email child protection registries advanced this month in three states, bringing to five the total number of states now considering such legislation — Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, and Iowa. Michigan and Utah are the only two states to have established registries.

Utah’s law currently faces a court challenge by American Advertising Federation, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Association of National Advertisers, Inc., Email Service Provider Coalition, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Center for Democracy & Technology.

The laws prohibit marketers from sending harmful material to minors’ email addresses. Parents can submit their children’s email to a registry of which marketers should consult before sending for example, adult materials.

They also argue that state laws such as Utah’s impede interstate commerce, violate free speech rights, and are too vague about which types of e-mails are banned. For instance, the opponents argue, the law potentially encompasses e-mail ads for an event that is open to children but sponsored by a marketer such as a liquor company. They also maintain that creating a “Do Not E-Mail” registry potentially harms minors by generating a database of children’s e-mail addresses. Should that directory fall into the wrong hands, it could be used to target children, rather than protect them.

There are always pros anc cons about such issues. While protecting children from accessing harmful materials is of our concern, probably there should be a better way to address this.

Source: Media Post.