Legal Definitions - Spam

Spam refers to unsolicited electronic messages, typically sent in bulk, that recipients receive involuntarily. These messages are often commercial in nature, such as advertisements for products or services, but can also be used for fraudulent purposes like scams, phishing attempts, or distributing malicious software. The terms Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE) or Unsolicited Bulk Email (UBE) are often used interchangeably with spam, highlighting that the recipient did not request these communications and they are distributed widely.

Here are a few examples illustrating what spam entails:

• Imagine receiving an email promoting a "revolutionary new weight loss supplement" from a company you've never heard of and whose mailing list you never subscribed to. The email promises dramatic results and includes a link to purchase the product. This is an example of spam because it is an unsolicited commercial message sent to you without your consent, likely as part of a large-scale marketing effort.

• You open your inbox to find an email with the subject line "Urgent: Your Bank Account Has Been Frozen." The email appears to be from your bank and asks you to click a link to "verify your identity" immediately. However, upon closer inspection, the sender's email address is suspicious, and you realize your bank would never request such information via email. This is a form of spam, specifically a phishing scam, designed to trick you into revealing personal financial information. It is unsolicited and sent in bulk to many potential victims.

• A message lands in your junk folder titled "Congratulations! You've Won a Free Vacation!" from an unfamiliar sender. The email contains numerous grammatical errors and asks you to reply with your personal details and a small "processing fee" to claim your prize. You know you haven't entered any such contest. This is spam, often referred to as an advance-fee scam, which is an unsolicited bulk message attempting to defraud recipients by promising a large reward in exchange for an upfront payment.